Brian had the honor and privilege of serving and fighting in the World\u2019s Greatest Fighting Force, the Marines. Brian is enrolled in CFCC\u2019s Health & Fitness Science program and plans to become a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. When Brian is not bent over a textbook studying, he is pushing his physical limits with his wife, Becca, or walking around in nature with his two dogs, Lenny and Lacey.
\nSemper Fidelis
\n\u201cNever above you, never below you, ALWAYS beside you.\u201d<\/p>\n
I<\/span>t’s month 4 of 8 waking up at 0430 everyday. That\u2019s ok, I have a job to do protecting my loved ones back home.<\/p>\n As I wake up, I empty sand out of my boots and put on my uniform still drenched in sweat from last night\u2019s mission. That\u2019s ok, we successfully completed the job.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been standing in line for my powdered eggs and fake bacon for 45 minutes. That\u2019s ok, it\u2019s moving faster than it did last week.<\/p>\n At breakfast, I listen to my friends tell me the same stories I have heard for the past 2 years. That\u2019s ok, they are my brothers. I love them.<\/p>\n My hands are dirty and I cannot get the smell of carbon out of my nose. That\u2019s ok, my weapon has had ZERO malfunctions.<\/p>\n I get to spend a dollar a minute to hear my wife\u2019s muffled voice over our weak pay phone connection. That\u2019s ok, I\u2019ll write her a letter later.<\/p>\n I finally get to come home to a country that has absolutely no concept as to how good we have it here. That\u2019s ok, this is why we fight – for the American ignorance.<\/p>\n I finally receive my DD-214. The piece of paper I have dreamed of for the last year. I am sad, I am frightened, I am excited. It\u2019s all going to be ok, I made it through this last enlistment, I can make it through anything.<\/p>\n I miss my friends, I miss doing cool stuff, I miss the simplicity of it all. That\u2019s ok. I had the honor and privilege to wear the uniform amongst some of the finest individuals I will ever meet.<\/p>\n I wake up at night, drenched in my own sweat, afraid of the dark, afraid of my memories. Afraid of who I am. That\u2019s ok, we all have our own personal fight.<\/p>\n I start school. I am older than my classmates, I have scars, I am unsure of myself- will I measure up to what I am? Will I honor the organization I came from? Will I make myself, my wife, and my brothers proud? It\u2019s all so new! That\u2019s ok. I graduated from Parris Island- I can accomplish anything.<\/p>\n I am sweating as I open my first test. Will I pass? I will, it will be ok- I have studied my tail off.<\/p>\n I am finding my purpose. I am becoming\u2026Brian. I am more than just a 13 cent killer. I am an academic. I am a veteran. I am a loving husband and dog dad. I am whomever I want to be as a result of the discipline that was INSTILLED in me through sweat, pain, and tears.<\/p>\n I knew it would all be ok. I can do anything. I am not alone (nor are you).<\/p>\n I can and I will succeed. You. Will. Too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Brian had the honor and privilege of serving and fighting in the World\u2019s Greatest Fighting Force, the Marines. Brian is enrolled in CFCC\u2019s Health & Fitness Science program and plans to become a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. When Brian is not bent over a textbook studying, he is pushing his physical limits with his wife, Becca, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[605],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n