Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps

Today marks 245 years since the U.S. Marine Corps was established. 

A few short years ago, nowhere near 200, I was a Marine. During my time, I was selected to join the “All Marine Volleyball Team.”

Being selected to serve on the "All Marine Volleyball Team" was a true honor.  I did not attend a four-year college, therefore, I did receive the traditional opportunity to play at a collegiate level. However, as I continued to play on regional teams and being stationed in Hawaii ... this allowed me to play all the time.

Both indoor and outdoor volleyball. It did not matter to me. As long as I was able to play my favorite sport. My skill in the game kept increasing over the years. While stationed in Japan playing in the regional tournament, I was selected to join the All-Marine Volleyball camp.

“Wow,” I thought. “What does this mean?” Well, it meant I was now going to spend nearly two months playing the game of volleyball at a higher level, with women I have never met, who were also marines, that had phenomenal talent on the court. So there I was. At this camp, where we were all competing to make the All-Marine Team. Yet, we were already a team just because we were serving in the United States Marine Corps.

What I love best about the game of volleyball is that you must depend on your team in order to win. You see, there are three hits that each team can take in order to return the ball to your competitors. In that process, it is strategic on who gets the 2nd and 3rd hit of that ball and hence ... TEAMWORK!

I live my life today with a high level of teamwork activities, and love it to my core as I realize with the right team ... you can achieve anything!!!

Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps.