Becoming a Sailor

Becoming A Sailor

It’s a place not meant for everyone,

A place of challenges, a place to become.

Filled with all the unknowns that could imagine,

Along the tarmac, inside gray buildings immaculately clean.

Some say it’s not a place for the fainthearted,

This place far off where flags wave and friendships started.

But to listen to those who wanted to be a part,

Row upon row of marching boots, there horizons to chart.

We took our places, young and fool-hearted,

Thinking that we had all the answers sorted.

Yet, upon arriving on a midwinter’s eve.

It was a revelation hard for many to conceal.

Thousands of recruits from all walks of life,

Silenced by uniforms not meaning any strife.

Lining up, checking in, answering the call,

No one was left out, everyone was to give their all.

Before dawn’s lights, ranks were formed,

On the tarmac, shoulder length apart, but no one armed.

The company dutifully came together as one,

Knowing full well what lay ahead wouldn’t be fun.

Schedules set in stone, cadence yelled, flags flown,

As we marched chest forward into the places unknown.

First, the vaccinations, whether by needle or gun,

Made some of the recruits apprehensive, and some wanted to run.

Rifles issued from the racks on the back wall,

QMC Cook, the company commander making the call.

We watched as he executed the familiar military routine,

Knowing full well that we couldn’t do what was seen.

Physical training at the early six o’clock hour,

In the building beside our barracks testing our willpower.

Then on to the galley meeting the clamoring crowd,

All waiting for their chow time, all standing proud.

The days turned to weeks and then into months,

For the recruits becoming sailors all facing the crunch.

But the company assigned to me for the transition,

I wouldn’t trade one second or take another position.

Now thirty-seven years I look to my past,

Since that time of team building, becoming sailors at last.

I wouldn’t change anything or make any other decision,

Than to become a Sailor fulfilling my mission.