From Lion in Oil blog, and interview with a college football player who decided to enlist in the Marines. A first person view with some real solid thinking revealed…

The “teaser:”

[…]
(2) As a college graduate, you had the option to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) and become an officer in the Marines. Yet, you decided against that path. Why did you decide to enter the Corps as a enlistee, or as you put it a, “grunt?”

I looked into going to OCS, but the more I talked to people the more I was told that this war was being fought on the enlisted level. Corporals and Sergeants lead patrols over here, not Lieutenants and Captains. I wanted to lead, but I wanted to make sure that I was in a position to lead men where its needed most, in combat. I’ve been blessed/burdened with that responsibility.
[…]

Some would say they wanted to care for their political future while enrolled in Army ROTC, and some men, like Jake, look at the future and know it’s about doing it right.

Thanks, Jake, from afar for taking the high and hard road.

H/T: Little Green Footballs