Free From Baghdad To America by Lt. Col. USMC (ret.) Jay Kopelman Page B

Courage is moral strength, the will to heed the inner voice of conscience, the will to do what is right regardless of the conduct of others. It is mental discipline, an adherence to a higher standard. Courage means willingness to take a stand for what is right in spite of adverse consequences. This courage, throughout the history of the Corps, has sustained Marines during the chaos, perils, and hardships of combat. And each day, it enables each Marine to look in the mirror—and smile.
    Commitment: Total dedication to Corps and Country. Gung-ho Marine teamwork. All for one, one for all. By whatever name or cliché, commitment is a combination of (1) selfless determination and (2) a relentless dedication to excellence. Marines never give up, never give in, never willingly accept second best. Excellence is always the goal. And, when their active duty days are over, Marines remain reserve Marines, retired Marines, or Marine veterans. There is no such thing as an ex-Marine or former Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Commitment never dies.
    The three Corps Values: honor, courage, commitment. They make up the bedrock of the character of each individual Marine. They are the foundation of his Corps. These three values, handed down from generation to generation, have made U.S. Marines the Warrior Elite. The U.S. Marine Corps: the most respected and revered fighting force on earth. 12
    Lava doesn’t have that training. But you better believe he’s got character . He was brave as hell and continued to impress me with his will to survive. I knew he was terrified from the moment he laid eyes on the U.S. Marines right up until the moment he got on that plane headed for America. He knew fear the night I first encountered him at the Lava Dog command post in Fallujah when, without thinking, I kicked and sent him flying across the floor after he chewed on my bootlaces. I could see it in his eyes as clear as day. Yet he mustered as much courage as five pounds of flea-bitten mongrel possibly can and charged right back at me, full of himself and his puppy’s toughness.
    That’s what we’re taught after all, isn’t it? To muster up our courage in the face of adversity. To not let fear get the best of us. Combatants live in constant fear, yet we don’t—won’t/can’t/for fear of ridicule/all of the above—admit it. The irony is stunning. Instead, we put on displays of courage, which is merely the ability to confront and overcome our fears. Yes, there are truly brave people in the world, but I don’t count myself among them. I have convictions, and the courage of my convictions allows me to overcome my fears and act in a courageous manner without making a complete fool of myself in combat. Why, it’s not manly to be afraid. Big boys don’t cry, we’re told. I’m here to tell you that’s bullshit !
    I’m worried about my fellow veterans. I’m concerned that most of the men I fought alongside are afraid to reveal their weaknesses. Even the Department of Defense Task Force on mental health is concerned, declaring in 2007,
    â€œThe costs of military service are substantial. Many costs are readily apparent; others are less apparent but no less important. Among the most pervasive and potentially disabling consequences of these costs is the threat to the psychological health of our nation’s fighting forces, their families, and their survivors.”
    A war like Iraq is bound to have repercussions. Is it a lack of courage to admit you don’t like wiping another man’s brains from your boots? Is your commitment failing when you decline to attend a talk about mental health and choose instead to hit the local tavern with the hot girl you dated in high school? We’re taught to care as much about our pack—actually more about the well-being of the group—than of ourselves. The Warrior Elite are fighting individual wars these days; from desolate,