Hands down, my favorite part of Marine Corps. Basic Training was drill.\u00a0Performing rifle movements, marching patterns, singing cadences…and of all those things, the evening jog cadence with our Senior Drill Instructor is what I miss most.<\/p>\n
I still remember the Marine Corps. Hymn–a short composition which speaks about the history and mentality of the United States Marine. We chanted this in our squad bay (where everyone slept and kept their gear) every night before bed:<\/p>\n
From the hall of Montezuma<\/strong> Man, that still gives me chills.<\/p>\n You could say then, that hymns and chants are ingrained in me. One of my favorite parts of each faith this year are the hymns, chants, and mantras associated with worship, and the Sikhs really go over the top. Called kirtan, a practice shared by the Hindu spiritual neighbors, the Sikhs perform rhythmic recitations of scripture from the Guru Granth Sahib on a daily basis. Indeed, one of the three “pillars” of Sikhi is Naam Japo<\/em>,\u00a0meditation on\u00a0God’s name, and this is often done via kirtan.<\/p>\n Here is a recitation of the Mool Mantar, which is the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh ideal of God (it also includes the beginning lines of the Jabji Sahib):<\/p>\n
\nTo the shores of Tripoli<\/strong>
\nWe will fight our country’s battles<\/strong>
\nIn the air, on land, and sea<\/strong>
\nFirst to fight for right and freedom<\/strong>
\nAnd to keep our honor clean<\/strong>
\nWe are proud to claim the title<\/strong>
\nOf United States Marine<\/strong><\/p>\n