Marine Code of Conduct

As I read through the Marine code of conduct, I was struck by the fact that these men and women basically sell themselves out to defending and if need be, giving their lives for our country and our way of life. They take a vow to these six articles:

Article I: I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my people while they still have the means to resist.

Article III: If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV: If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep my faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V: When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI: I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my action, and dedicated to the principles which make my country free. I will trust in my God and the United States of America.

And to those they vow ‘semper fidelis’, always faithful. They literally say, “Come hell, or high water, I will remain faithful.”

How are we believers in the faithfulness department? In our increasingly miserable, sick and dying society, do we remain faithful in the midst of faithlessness? Do we take a vow with Galatians 2:20, proclaiming that “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” and then in the midst of hardship, succumb to the realities of life and forsake what Christ has called us to do and to be?

Unlike a Marine, our endurance is not just in physical and mental strength and it doesn’t come from us. If we strive to be faithful in and of ourselves, we are destined to failure. But if we base our faith and trust in the God of the universe, who is faithful, we will endure and “Semper Fidelis” will not only be a motto, but in reality, a way of life.

It has been said of the Marines: “The few the proud the Marines”.

It has been written of heaven: “For many are invited, but few are chosen”. (Matt. 22:14)