How to Stop Being a Shitbag Marine

Nobody joins the Marine Corps wanting to become a shitbag. But somewhere along the way, it happens. I know because it happened to me. I went from fighting in the barracks, arguing with NCOs, getting my ass chewed constantly and nearly being administratively separated to becoming a Martial Arts Instructor Trainer, leading Marines and eventually becoming a Gunnery Sergeant. And that transformation wasn't clean. I still fucked up. I got a will-not-promote. I got NJP'd as a Corporal. I made mistakes even after I decided to change. In the final episode of the Shitbag Series, I'm talking directly to the Marine who knows they're capable of more but doesn't know how to turn their reputation, attitude or career around. We talk about admitting when you're the problem, becoming boring and reliable, changing who you surround yourself with, choosing which battles are actually worth fighting, rebuilding trust, and what to do when you inevitably fuck up again. You might be a shitbag Marine today. That doesn't mean you have to be one tomorrow.