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Deployment is no dash to finish — it’s an experience

As Marines, we experience many blocks of time that can be summed up in a “Start Date — End Date” format.

I recently reached the end date of my second tour on Okinawa; this one lasted more than three years. You also could say that I just had another start date, marking the beginning of my third tour in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

One of the standard mentoring discussions I have with my Marines is based loosely on a poem by Linda Ellis. “The Dash” describes a eulogy being read at a funeral, and the Start Date — End Date listed on the gravestone. The most important part of that expression is the dash in the middle.

Sure, the dates are important. But the most important part of the equation is that dash. It represents everything that happened, everything you accomplished, learned or taught during that time. We take care of our dash by striving to make ourselves, others and our community better.

When I left my previous unit, I received a plaque from the Marines in my platoon, who wrote some nice — and some humorous — comments into the inscription. But as nice as the plaque is, it represents much more than words alone.

Keeping busy

Somehow, in that three-year dash of time, I managed to finish my associate degree, become a Marine Corps martial arts instructor and progress to black belt, pursue training in traditional Okinawan karate and become a black belt in that discipline, complete a tour in Iraq, serve as a squad adviser for the Corporal’s Course, and take my wife and two sons to explore the tropical paradise that is Okinawa. I say this not to boast, but to encourage you to take care of your dash, too.

Giving your time and talent can provide more satisfaction than wasting your weekends barhopping. Get involved with your community. Take a college course on base — or online. The only limitation to self-improvement is you.

I don’t know my End Date, so I’m doing my best to take care of my dash, to make it really count for something. How will you take care of yours?

To read “The Dash,” visit http://www.thedashmovie.com.

The writer, a staff sergeant, is an electronics maintenance technician at the Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School in Twentynine Palms, Calif.