WHEN THE RIDE IS OVER

On February 10, 2022 I walked in my house and had a large envelope addressed to “LtCol Lewis Rhodes.” I knew what it was before I opened it – it was a very nice Certificate of Retirement thanking me for my Service. It was expected as I have a mandatory retirement date right around the corner. Despite that I sat down for a bit with a glass (or three) of whiskey contemplating the ride that was coming to an end.?It was more amazing than I could ever have hoped for.?

???????????????It was yesterday (July 3, 1990 to be exact) that I was a starry-eyed 18-year-old raising my right hand and swearing an oath that I have repeated several times since. I had no idea what I was starting. I grew up on Top Gun and went to the Naval Academy because I wanted to be a fighter pilot (didn’t we all). However, I quickly noticed the officers I wanted to emulate. They all wore different uniforms, which were pretty much perfect and squared away. They all had a confidence (frankly arrogance) that I admired. So, just shy of 35 months after my first oath I raised my right hand and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States as Marine 2nd Lieutenant. On some level I miss that guy and the boundless energy and optimism he had (definitely miss the waistline). But if he only knew what I know, he would have been even more excited.?

???????????????That day, May 25, 1994, started a journey that will end on June 1, 2022. Twenty-Eight years is a long time. It is even longer when you pack in several lifetimes. I drank all of the Kool Aid and decided that if I was going to be a Marine, I was going to be an Infantry Officer, which was one of the best decisions of my life. Being a Marine is special, being a Marine Grunt is more special (I love all Marines, but let’s be honest here). I knew I was tough, but no idea how tough. I knew I could work under stress, but not how much. I knew I could lead, but not how effectively. The Marine Corps made me the best version of me.

???????????????I vividly remember standing in front of my first Rifle Platoon absolutely scared to death that the Marines in that platoon would find me lacking in one way or another. I was far from perfect, but I believe that, in the end, they respected me. Lesson one for you young officers, I looked out for my Marines – even when it wasn’t popular, which made them look out for me. One time as a Captain I stood in front of a three-star General arguing that my LCpl who popped on a drug test should not be thrown out of the Corps and that the Battalion Commander who said otherwise was an idiot. And yes, that is the exact word I used. I lost that fight, but every Marine in that platoon knew what I did and knew I had their backs. That meant that they had mine unequivocally.

???????????????That is one of more stories than I can even remember. They aren’t all good. I have multiple combat tours and buried way too many friends way too young. My body is beat to hell and some days it hurts to move. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat. My best friends, best memories and proudest moments all involve Marines.

???????????????The only thing I regret is that it has to come to an end. I left active duty a long time ago but couldn’t fathom a day when I would actually never put my uniform on again. I don’t like the thought – hate it actually. Empirically I know it is time, this is a young man’s game and the body isn’t quite capable any more. But it still sucks and I will miss it more than I can even begin to explain.

???????????????At the end of the day though, I may be leaving the Marines, but the Marine could never leave me. The ethos is tattooed on my DNA (and soon my body as I have decided that I deserve that Eagle Globe and Anchor tattoo). ?So, while the ride may be over, on some level it is just beginning.

Semper Fi,

Oscar 5 Romeo Out.