Faith over fear in a time of crisis... finding "True North!"

This is not your typical LinkedIn post, but if we're honest with ourselves, we could all use a little guidance right now... a "True North!"

The week before last, members of Echo Company (5-83) attended a reunion across three sites... Quantico, Virginia, Old Town, Alexandria, and Arlington National Cemetery.

Interestingly, while meeting the CO of the Basic School, Colonel Reginald McClam, USMC and his team, we discussed the importance of Land Navigation. We were glad to learn that - even with the advent of satellite and GPS capability - The Basic School Lieutenants, STILL rely on a compass and a map. As satellites and GPS would most probable be "knocked out" in a war time scenario, Marines would be unaffected as they would still be able to maneuver utilizing the time tested skills that do NOT require electronics.

At the end of a call late last week, a colleague who was "not herself" during the business call shared how upset she was with the state of the world. "I'm scared for my kids and their future!" "The world seems to be spinning out of control!" "The world is a mess and we're too busy to slow down to even think, let alone pray!"

I shared that I could relate to her concerns and then shared the following story from a few years back.

In the Summer of 1983, I was in the field at Quantico trying to solve for a land navigation problem... which is a nice way of saying I was lost.?

Marine Officer Candidate, Paul McBride in 1983. Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA

Land navigation is a critical skill that Marines MUST master. A bad decision in the field can literally put your unit in a life or death situation. The exercise involved using a map and compass to find a series of fixed coordinates - metal boxes secured to posts with alpha-numeric codes painted on them. Once found, you were then required to record the code in your field report and move on to the next coordinate. I had only one more to find but was having trouble discovering it in the thick underbrush.

I was surrounded by a number of?“hills”?and as it was hot, I sat down under a tree and pulled out my canteen for a quick swig and to reorient myself. I then pulled out my USMC issue New Testament and Psalms (pictured below).?

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I randomly opened to the Book of Psalms and landed on Psalm 121...?"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth."

I took another swig from my canteen, and determined that I was going to find that metal box!

I then took another look at my compass, reoriented myself and set off in the direction I had been originally traveling. Amazingly, I found the box and coordinates in less than ten minutes. With a thankful glance skyward and a renewed spring in my step, I made my way back to camp.

Psalm 121 has always been an encouragement to me due to the significant role it played on that hot summer day. (It is also incorporated into the National Anthem of Israel.)

Many years later, I was watching the Sound of Music with my wife and kids and was amazed when Mother Superior quoted it to Maria just before she and the von Trapp's made their escape over the?"hills"...

While Hollywood "glamorized" some aspects of the story, one needs to remember that at its core it is a true story and the "fear and uncertainty" the von Trapp's experienced was REAL.

As we learn more about the horrible attacks on Israel, the entire world seems to be experiencing continued uncertainty. Adding the ongoing war in Ukraine, political unrest at home, a marked rise in crime... there is a general feeling of uncertainty that continues to dominate the headlines.

It's exactly at times like this - when we are having trouble "navigating" through the global news cycle - that we can't forget where our help comes from. The battle belongs to the Lord.

"I lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help..."

From a veteran... to our military, healthcare teams, first responders, emergency personnel, police, firefighters, truckers, all those who are on the frontlines...

“Thank?YOU?for?YOUR?service!”

Bravo Zulu, God Bless and Semper Fi!?

NB: While connecting with my Marine Corps colleagues the day after the attacks on Israel, I was reminded that one of our Senior Sergeant Instructor's at OCS, Combat Decorated Marine, GySgt. J. L. Hunter, USMC, had participated in a joint exercise with the IDF back in the day. He had shared back then that THEY were ONE SQUARED AWAY OUTFIT! High praise from a man of few words.

To those who have lost their lives we say “Requiescat in Pace”… To those on the frontlines going in to battle we offer continued prayers for protection.

About the author... Paul McBride is a former Marine Officer and the Founder and President of American Military Society Press. He currently serves as Regional Vice President at ZeOmega Population Health Management. You can contact him at [email protected]

Washington in Prayer, Veterans Memorial, Washington's Crossing National Cemetery, Washington's Crossing, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

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