A Call, and an Answer

WE stood at attention on the parade deck in the oppressive Quantico heat. In the preceding weeks, along with our fellow officer candidates, we had run countless miles through the woods, tackled and retackled the obstacle course, been forced to shave twice a day, and fallen into dreamless sleeps listening to lectures on discipline and integrity. We had all endured the same persistent cough and received the same eight vaccinations. Now graduation had come at last. We stood together, sweat pouring into our fresh haircuts and perfectly rolled sleeves, listening as the colonel in charge of Officer Candidates School (OCS) told us about his own decision to join the Marines. “All of you,” he said, “are here because you felt the call to serve in a time of war. When I became a Marine during Vietnam, it was just to avoid the draft.”

The colonel was right: We had made a choice-and choices often have to be defended. This became clear to us when, after graduating from OCS, we returned for our senior year to Dartmouth College, where plans for the future-Goldman Sachs, Fulbright scholarships, Teach For America-were the topic of every conversation.

About the Author

Michael Knapp

Mr. Knapp, a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, is a 2008 graduate of Dartmouth College. He will begin further officer training this fall.

About the Author

Ethan Mefford

Mr. Mefford, a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, is a 2008 graduate of Dartmouth College. He will begin further officer training this fall.

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WE stood at attention on the parade deck in the oppressive Quantico heat. In the preceding weeks, along with our fellow officer candidates, we had run countless miles through the woods, tackled and retackled the obstacle course, been forced to shave twice a day, and fallen into dreamless sleeps listening to lectures on discipline and integrity. We had all endured the same persistent cough and received the same eight vaccinations. Now graduation had come at last. We stood together, sweat pouring into our fresh haircuts and perfectly rolled sleeves, listening as the colonel in charge of Officer Candidates School (OCS) told us about his own decision to join the Marines. “All of you,” he said, “are here because you felt the call to serve in a time of war. When I became a Marine during Vietnam, it was just to avoid the draft.”

The colonel was right: We had made a choice-and choices often have to be defended. This became clear to us when, after graduating from OCS, we returned for our senior year to Dartmouth College, where plans for the future-Goldman Sachs, Fulbright scholarships, Teach For America-were the topic of every conversation.