[Note: This is my annual post in honor of the Marine Corps birthday.]<\/em><\/p>\n Today marks the 237th birthday of the finest fighting force in the history of the world.<\/p>\n The Marine Corps Birthday makes me nostalgic for the good ol\u201a . . . well, maybe good is too strong a word. In fact, I can\u2019t say that I miss being on active duty; but I do miss being with my fellow Marines.<\/p>\n To give you an idea of what the life of a Marine is like (and why I don\u2019t miss it), here is a blog entry I wrote in 2004 that outlines a typical day in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program:<\/p>\n 0550 \u2014 Wake up<\/strong> \u2014 Immediately regret having joined the Marine Corps.<\/p>\n 0720 \u2014 Arrive at the base<\/strong> \u2014 Think to myself, \u201cWhat other job would pay you to learn martial arts. I can\u2019t believe I get paid to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n 0730 \u2014 Pull up to training site<\/strong> \u2014 Think to myself (while watching my fellow Marines put on their body armor and helmets), \u201cWhat kind of job requires you to wear this stuff. I don\u2019t get paid enough for this.\u201d<\/p>\n 0740 \u2014 Warm up (2 mile run and conditioning exercises)<\/strong> \u2014 After running while wearing body armor and a helmet I realize why Nike doesn\u2019t produce athletic clothing made from Kevlar.<\/p>\n