Uncle Sam's Misguided Children: Forced and Unforced Errors

[DISCLAIMER]

There are a number of reasons why I enlisted in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps, having served from 1996 to 2007. Using logic and reason, and in no particularly meaningful order, I’ll briefly highlight some of the matters of elucidation and rationalization regarding why I enlisted.

For context, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. For instance, a modus ponens syllogism uses the following logical form: If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

As an example, concerning one matter of rationale for my enlistment, I concluded that if I joined the military (p), then I could receive funds for college (q). I joined the military (p). Therefore, I received funds for college which paid for one undergraduate and two graduate degrees (q).

Noteworthy, when providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I encourage thoughts and beliefs which are rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), as opposed to mental descriptions and prescriptions which are irrational.

Case in point, my first rationale (underlying reason) for having joined the Corps follows logical form (i.e., it adheres to the modus ponens syllogistic format). As well, I posit that it accords with reason (a rational ground or motive), as the premises follow to a realistic conclusion.

Therefore, this reason for having enlisted in the Corps is a matter of elucidation (the act, process, or means of elucidating—to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis). Noteworthy, not everyone agrees with the reasoning of everyone else. (Read that last sentence again, if it helps!)

Thus, reason is a matter of subjectivity (the quality, state, or nature of being subjective—characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind). Now, I invite you to consider another matter of enlistment rationale with which my dad disagreed.

A relevant piece of background information worth considering is that my dad subscribed to the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses—a religious sect in which military service is discouraged. As a rebellious young adult, after quarrelling with my dad, I decided to enlist in the Marines.

Therefore, I maintained that if military service was forbidden (p), then I’d join to spite my dad (q). Worth noting, when using a modus ponens syllogism (if p, then q; p; therefore, q), it’s inferred that the major premise (p) and minor premise (q) logically follow to a conclusion.

Thus, it isn’t necessary to write out the entire logical form when it’s inferred that p automatically leads to q. Now, although my spiteful rationale followed logical form, my dad didn’t consider my syllogistic belief to be reasonable. Therefore, he maintained that it was irrational.

Remember, not everyone shares the same perspective when it comes to explanation or justification of thoughts and beliefs. While I viewed my enlistment as rational, my dad disagreed with my decision. Still, that outcome was one reason why I joined the Corps in the first place.

Of course, it wouldn’t be altogether irrational for someone to argue that my latter justification related to rationalization which is defined as an ego defense in which apparently logical reasons are given to justify unacceptable behavior that is motivated by unconscious instinctual impulses.

Thus, it may be helpful to consider an explanation as a rational reason and a rationalization as an irrational excuse. Comprehensibly, this begs the question (to elicit a question logically as a reaction or response) about whether the elucidated reasoning of my dad or I was justifiable.

Both points of elucidation could relate to justification (in ethics, the process of determining right actions and appropriate beliefs, or in clinical psychology, defensive intellectualization, as in making an excuse for an action, cognition, or affect that one knows to be or is considered to be wrong or indefensible).

If you understand that (1) rational thoughts and beliefs follow both logic and reason, (2) not everyone agrees with the reasons of everyone else, and (3) some justifications are rational while others are irrational, then I won’t offer reasoning for other points of rationale for my enlistment.

Among other rational or irrational justification for having joined the Corps was that I wanted to die, I wanted to distance myself from my gang-related friends, I considered it honorable to serve interests and goals greater than oneself, and most of my friends revered the Marines.

Similarly, I came from a poor upbringing, as the military offered hope for a better way of life for me—that is, if I wasn’t going to die in service (which would’ve been fine by me). Also, hailing from Bomb City, there wasn’t much else for me to do, other than to work a manual labor job.

Additionally, I was encouraged by a trusted caregiver that because I had been institutionalized from having lived in a children’s home for years, I’d likely fit in well with military structure and routine. That detail contributed significantly to my decision to have joined the Marines.

In childhood, I endured many traumatic events. Hearing tales of how challenging the Corps was in comparison to other military branches, I wanted to contrast the Marines with my own difficult upbringing. I reasoned that nothing could be more difficult than my experience by that point.

Also, I’m not ashamed to admit that I fell for the propaganda of Marine Corps commercials. Seeing the depiction of a gallant warrior on horseback defeating a number of game pieces on a chessboard, I concluded that death in military service was preferable to death by my own hand.

Regarding death, I also knew that I was comfortable with the idea of both killing and dying. Irrespective of whatever justifiable reason one may offer, I figured that committing lawful homicide or expiring through military operations conformed to my notion of a life well-lived.

That last point of rationale brings me to a final matter of elucidation regarding my enlistment. First, some context may be useful. According to one source, “Uncle Sam is a common national personification of the United States, depicting the federal government or the country as a whole.”

The acronym for the U.S. Marine Corps is U.S.M.C. Though I don’t recall where I first encountered the humorous anecdote, I remember hearing that the acronym otherwise stood for Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children, as Marines were viewed as disorderly service members.

Photo credit, fair use

I imagined that Marines wouldn’t have exhibited the same level of maladaptive emotions and behavior to which I was accustomed (i.e., abusive caregivers, gang friends, etc.). Yet, if my imaginings were mistaken, then I’d likely experience comfort in environmental familiarity.

Given the case for rational and irrational thoughts and beliefs that I’ve outlined thus far, in consideration of the aforementioned explanation and justification for my military enlistment, another relevant distinction now comes to mind – as it relates to forced and unforced errors.

According to one source, “In tennis, forced errors are mistakes made because of pressure by an opponent – usually through good play, while unforced errors are mistakes the players make on their own.” Regarding some of my rationalizations for joining the Corps, I made unforced errors.

While my military service wasn’t entirely similar to the game of tennis, the sport is comparable to the U.S.M.C. due to self-discipline required for success, reliance on physical stamina, and the high-pressure level of competition that arguably mimics the strains of combat.

Thus, as an example, I made an unforced error when questionably reasoning that Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children would provide environmental familiarity which would be analogous to the experiences in my youth. First, I had no evidence to support that assumption.

Second, it was an unforced error to reason that maladaptive emotions and behavior was a morally and ethically appropriate compromise. Specifically, killing on behalf of a gang, or killing for Uncle Sam, formed a false dilemma, of which I stated in False Dilemma vs. False Dichotomy:

In simplest terms, a false dilemma offers only two narrow choices. A false dichotomy offers two opposing options. Then again, you’ll either understand this distinction or you won’t. (See what I did there?)

I offered myself two narrow choices when reasoning that I could either kill for a gang or kill for the U.S. There was also an option of not killing at all! As an example, I could’ve worked manual labor, as one of my gang friends went on to do, as he now owns a prosperous small business.

Therefore, I committed an unforced error by not rationally considering other available choices. Perhaps ironically, I was such a misguided figurative child of Uncle Sam’s that I was kicked out of his proverbial house. After administrative and legal problems, I was unfavorably discharged.

Fortunately, I thereafter discovered REBT and turned my life around. Still, these days, I make forced errors when other professional REBT practitioners communicate information about this psychotherapeutic modality in a far superior fashion than I. (There’s stiff competition!)

Also, as a fallible human being, I make unforced errors when sometimes buying into the irrational beliefs which automatically pop into my mind. Alas, tennis matches, military competition, and the game of life carries on imperfectly. I’m merely a player in this regard!

Now, I offer this post for your consideration. I joined the U.S.M.C. when using both rational and irrational thoughts and beliefs. As well, I was kicked out when arriving at irrational conclusions. Nevertheless, I continue playing the metaphorical game until my match ends (i.e., death).

You will die one day, too! Before your match is up, you’ll likely make both forced and unforced errors. Besides, we all make mistakes! Yet, I posit that the errors aren’t what cause your distress or disturbance. Rather, what you tell yourself about your mistakes will result in such outcomes.

Perhaps you imprudently join the Marine Corps. Maybe you get kicked out. Or perchance your errors have nothing at all to do with Uncle Sam. No matter the circumstance, I invite you to (1) unconditionally accept that you’re imperfect and (2) monitor what it is that you tell yourself.

The ball’s in your court. Game on! (Oh, and semper fidelis…sometimes, though not really always).

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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