All Marines, sailors and civilian Marines, regardless of sexual orientation, are Marines first. Every Marine is a valued member of our war-fighting team.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes that all members of the Marine Corps are valued equally, regardless of their sexual orientation.
James F. Amos highlights the importance of unity and inclusiveness within the Marine Corps. By stating that all Marines, regardless of their sexual orientation, are first and foremost Marines, he reinforces the idea that duty and camaraderie transcend personal identities, creating a cohesive and strong fighting team.
In practice
In a speech during a veterans' event to promote inclusivity and camaraderie.
A Marine is a Marine. I set that policy two weeks ago - there's no such thing as a former Marine. You're a Marine, just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life. But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico. There's no such thing as a former Marine.
Violence against women and children resembles an epidemic. It has spread through society, sparing no social group or class.
Don't be afraid of your own strength.
To all the survivors out there, I want them to know that we are stronger and more resilient than we ever knew. We survived, that should be enough but it isn't. We must work hard to become whole again, to fill our soul with love and inspiration, to live the life that was intended for us before it was disrupted by war and horrors, and help rebuild a world that is better than the one we had just left.
Men walk this tightrope where any sign of weakness illicits shame, and so they're afraid to make themselves vulnerable for fear of looking weak.
The women putting their lives at risk for our country deserve better than to be treated as second-class citizens.
For many years, I shut down that place inside myself that needed to rage, cry, ask questions and basically just express herself. I made a conscious choice when I put (the song) 'Me and a Gun' on the record not to stay a victim anymore.
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