United in Courage: Story 4524

88 Fresh off the bus when I'm met by the man that introduced me to the real Marines. Gunney J. (At the time I'm 5'11 180 lbs with an 18 inch neck) Gunney J is just walking by as they get us sorted. Gunney J is 5'7 155 lbs of raw OOH RAH.He stops in front of me, doesn't even look up, just say's "Are you sh*tting me? No. No. No. Are you shitting me? You? (poking me in the balls) not in my f*cking Marines. Back on the bus!"

I freeze. I have no idea what's going on. Gunney J is having none of this. Grabs me by the ear, brings me down to his level and in the softest voice say's, "you have 3 seconds to convince me why you deserve to be in my beloved Corps." Again I freeze. Oh dear God it's on now. He drags me in front of the formation and as comely as possible say's "This is not a f*cking Marine. This is a f*cking bull in a goddamn China shop. There is no f*cking way this makes it a week."He then utters the phrase that has stuck with me for the rest of my life. "I'm getting to old for this sh*t, I'm going for a drink." The day after graduation he "let me" buy him a beer.