What Do People Misunderstand About The Marines?

People are typically appreciative of the fact that I served, but I think there's an underlying misconception that there’s a patriotism that’s embedded with it because we did it voluntarily.

That's not to say that I'm not patriotic or thankful for the country I’ve served, but more so that there’s layers of understanding people may not know before meeting a Veteran.

Also, until I tell people my stories, it's not immediate or implicit that I come in with a range of experiences. I’ve had to lead grown adults into foreign countries and be responsible for their lives.