WHERE IS THE MANHOOD PROVING GROUND?

WHERE IS THE MANHOOD PROVING GROUND?

By Andy Weddington

Sunday, 22 January 2023

Years ago, manhood was an opportunity for achievement, and now it is a problem to be overcome. - Garrison Keillor

A couple days ago I read short passage in an autobiography by an old Marine sergeant (World War II) that went something like this ... 

'I enlisted in the Marine Corps to serve my country and to challenge and prove my manhood ... ' 

Manhood.

What is manhood?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary offers 5 short definitions, in order: 1. the condition of being a human being; 2. qualities associated with men: manliness; 3. the condition of being an adult male as distinguished from a child or female; 4. adult males; men; 5. Penis. 

That's it. 

No mention of multiple genders; females thinking they're male; females cross-dressing nor "transitioning" to male; etc. 

To be blunt, a human being is born with the equipment to qualify as male. There is no other way.  

So, testing manhood.

It follows, logically - and biologically, and physiologically, and psychologically - that only males qualify to challenge and validate, or not, manhood. 

The author was 17 years-old at time of enlistment. 

War raging.

He wanted to fight. 

Testosterone does that; among other things. 

But first he had to prove himself - to the Marine Corps and to himself he was a man. [Note: Females cannot prove manhood. Impossible.]

He passed the rigorous test (straining strength, stamina, speed, sanity) of Marine Corps recruit training; earning title and emblem, for eternity. 

Then again proved himself in combat.

In short, left home a 17 years-old boy. Marine Corps recruit training tested manhood like nothing else possibly could, until combat, and four years later returned home a man of 21; seasoned beyond years.

Reading his short passage caused me pause and to reflect on 43 years ago - enlisting in the Marine Corps to challenge Officer Candidates School. 

Why did I make that decision?

A Marine captain, infantryman, impressive as he was in Dress Blue Delta, challenged me. 

I can still picture him - fit, muscular, fire in eye and voice, a presence of confidence clad in a flawless uniform; live recruiting poster. 

No pressure. He calmly spoke about the Marine Corps. He was direct about challenges, hardships, sacrifices, and more. And he countered with noting remarkable leaders and leadership. He talked about opportunity, and emphasized there was not another program like it on Earth. 

The printed literature's tagline: U. S. Marines - Maybe you have what it takes to be one of us.

Maybe.

That captain of Marines was looking for candidates to become men - leaders of Marines.

He didn't have to say, "Your manhood will be tested." That was obvious. 

Ten weeks. 

Sixty candidates in the platoon. 

Eighteen men earned the title Marine and right to wear the world's most distinctive military emblem - eagle, globe, and anchor. 

And following more training the privilege to lead Marines. 

Manhood confirmed. 

Yes, there was a small platoon of females. Rarely did we see them. Never did we train together. For obvious, and not as obvious, reasons. 

Three years later, following time in a deploying infantry battalion and extreme cold weather training in Norway, came duty at the famed, some write notorious, recruit training depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. 

Three years I led Drill Instructors guiding male recruits, volunteers all, through the Marine Corps manhood test.

Females?

No interaction. Their challenge into womanhood happened elsewhere on the depot. 

For many a good reason. 

The challenge the author faced and what I faced 37 years after his experience has been destroyed. Deliberately. Supposedly under the guise of strengthening (the Corps). 

These days male and female recruits, and Drill Instructors and officers, intermingled. 

Bewildering. 

Though there is always anomaly, female is no match for male - as to strength, stamina, speed. 

Not bias. Fact. 

Now I suppose there's sundry ways to challenge and prove manhood.  But when it comes to Marine Corps entry-level training there is but one way: To test a recruit or candidate to the absolute maximum, surpassing even what they believe possible, when it comes to physical and psychological strength. 

How is that possible injecting the distraction of female into the Marine making recipe? 

Despite my best effort reflecting on OCS and trying to imagine females integrated, as equals, to conquer the challenges thrown at the males, I cannot. The distraction one matter. A lesser test certainly. And same for experience in recruit training.

I could go on but to what point?!

Where is the manhood proving ground?

Where?

The next (real) battlefield? 

To end with a nagging question and comment ... 

Have those - the naive eager to challenge and prove their manhood - been done disservice; by those who damn well know better? 

Consider Mr. Keillor's opening thought. What is really a law of Nature, realizing manhood, turned problematic by silly humans. Childish. 

And the Commandant of the Marine Corps wonders why recruiters can't find recruits while pleading with holders of manhood, Marines, to help. 

My disgust and profound sadness moves between heavy sighs and hearty chuckles.