Those who serve in the military often end up carrying significant physical, emotional, and mental burdens. Because of this, many soldiers, especially Marines, rely on God to carry their burdens for them.

From CBN. To become a United States Marine, you must abide by the core values of honor, courage, and commitment. And for some Marines, faith in God underlies those values, propelling them to accomplish their mission. CBN News traveled to South Carolina to learn about the role of faith in this elite fighting force.

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“It just feels super honorable to have that title, ‘United States Marine’,” Jacob Watson told us a couple of days before graduating from U.S. Marine Corps boot camp.

He’s following in the footsteps of both his parents.

“It’s like something I will never forget or take for granted,” Watson shared. “Plus, some of the stuff that I’ve learned was like stuff I never thought I could do.”

“So, it was really a blessing to be able to conquer most of these things that I was afraid about at first, but thanks to the Marine Corps, I was able to do,” he continued.

Faith for the Fight

Watson points to his Christian faith for helping him stay the course.

“Without a doubt, the only, the only way I believe at least I got through this was faith in Christ ’cause a bunch of the stuff, like I said, mentally, was kind of scary and intimidating, but faith, I’ll tell you what, it gets you a long ways,” he emphasized.

It’s the same story for others at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina.

“Throughout boot camp, I read my Bible; and praying, that seemed to help me a lot,” said Taylor Warden, a new U.S. Marine….

Chaplains Help in the Journey

There are nine chaplains on duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, and one of their roles is to make sure that every person has the right to practice his or her faith and is free of discrimination.

“I’m insuring that their First Amendment right, Constitutional right, is being protected to exercise their religion,” LT Dawn Ashley, a U.S. Navy chaplain serving the Marine Corps, told CBN News.

“I care for them, and that sometimes is through counseling, a lot of times through counseling here at Parris Island ’cause it’s boot camp, and they’re stressed a lot – a lot of depression, a lot of anxiety, so we care for them pastorally also,” she continued….

“Those who we get the honor of serving here, regardless of their faith, we have found that spirituality plays an important part,” explained LT Camea Baksh, a U.S. Navy chaplain serving the Marine Corps….

God’s Strength to Get Through

“Jesus means everything to me,” shared SSGT Evelyn Espinal.

As a drill instructor, Espinal must be tough as nails to train recruits. Still, she faces difficult times and shared how the love and strength of God gets her through….

‘Making an Impact’

CAPT Stephen Sigmon hopes how he lives his Christian faith will be seen and possibly inspire fellow Marines….

Allowing his faith to make an impact is an action Sigmon describes as fulfilling God’s calling to be the change or light in the world.

Are you encouraged by the faith of these Marines? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

(Excerpt from CBN. Photo Credit: Canva)