Good Bye From Nektarios

PFC Nektarios · Post by **PFC Nektarios** » Fri 18 June 2004 2:31 am

The time has nearly come to say good bye to all of you at Euphrosynos Cafe. As some of you know I joined the United States Marine Corps, during my earlier senior year of high school, and I am shipping to boot camp in 11 days to, Marine Corps Recurit Depot San Diego, CA. I will be really busy squaring things away here getting read to leave so I will not be on the boards as much. It was nice talking to you all since I registered on the board, and I hope to talk to all of you again soon before I leave. I leave on the 28th of this month at 3:00AM.

If you would like to continue to talk, send me your address in a PM and I will write to you from boot camp. Take care.

In Christ
Nektarios

This is where I will be.

ania · Post by **ania** » Fri 18 June 2004 9:47 am

God bless, mate. May He and the angels protect and watch over you.

OrthodoxyOrDeath · Post by **OrthodoxyOrDeath** » Fri 18 June 2004 12:25 pm

One of the most fearful aspects of military service is the "brainwashing" and conditioning in boot camp (and beyond) to create "killing machines". If a company or any other organization did this they would probably go to jail and be sued for millions of dollars by the families.

Be on your guard for this, and remember, enemy assaults are defended against by prayer and fasting. In fact, you may want to point this out to your drill sargeant

Never let them extinguish your zeal for the Lord.

God bless and stay safe.

PFC Nektarios · Post by **PFC Nektarios** » Fri 18 June 2004 2:42 pm

The Marine Corps doesnt brainwash or turn you into killing machines, they just teach you how to kill in defense of your own life and country.

Be on your guard for this, and remember, enemy assaults are defended against by prayer and fasting. In fact, you may want to point this out to your drill sargeant

Most Drill Instructors are there with you in religious services. I know there are a few Orthodox Drill Instructors. Fasting is not really followed during boot camp because you need the food because of the rigourus training. Same goes for when your in a combat zone.

In Christ
Nektarios[/quote]

OrthodoxyOrDeath · Post by **OrthodoxyOrDeath** » Fri 18 June 2004 2:47 pm

"dedicated to God, Country and Corps".

I think once you find yourself being perfectly dedicated to God, there won't be any room for "country" or "corps".

Stay safe.

PFC Nektarios · Post by **PFC Nektarios** » Fri 18 June 2004 2:48 pm

During your time in the Marines you are dedicated to all three, maybe as a monastic comes the later.

In Christ
Nektarios

尼古拉前执事 · Post by **尼古拉前执事** » Fri 18 June 2004 9:38 pm

OrthodoxyOrDeath wrote:
One of the most fearful aspects of military service is the "brainwashing" and conditioning in boot camp (and beyond) to create "killing machines".

As a former Marine recruit, I can tell you that this is what they do, and then for the last week or so, they re-teach you how to also be a gentleman and part of society, not just a robot-like killing machine.