At the age of 18, after graduating high school in 1987, I had the honor of joining the Marine Corps. Uncertain of what lay ahead, I knew only that the training would be a formidable challenge.
I was introduced to three formidable leaders: Senior Drill Instructor Sergeant Doug Luebke, Sergeant James Rinehart, and Sergeant Stewart Payne. These men exemplified the essence of what it means to be a Marine. They instilled in us discipline, leadership, physical fitness, honesty, character, teamwork, knowledge, command presence, and an indomitable spirit.
At that crucial juncture in my life, their guidance was exactly what I needed. I observed and learned from them every moment of every day during boot camp. The training was rigorous, even for someone in good shape, and our platoon earned the moniker "Maximum Thrash Platoon" from these formidable instructors. Any Marine understands the significance of being "bent"—pushed to the limits of physical endurance.
As the weeks passed, my confidence and comprehension of what it means to be a Marine deepened. On graduation day, I felt a profound transformation, standing taller and prouder than when I first stepped onto the yellow footprints.
These remarkable men left an indelible mark on my life, altering its course forever. Approximately seven years ago, I resolved to locate and thank them for shaping me into the person I am today. I succeeded in finding two of them in San Diego and my Senior Drill Instructor in Minnesota. Speaking with them was a surreal experience, as their voices resonated like echoes from the past. I had the privilege of sharing a meal with James and Stewart, both of whom had enjoyed illustrious careers in the Marine Corps and beyond. Although distance prevented me from meeting Doug initially, our conversations remained impactful.
Recently, after retiring from my law enforcement career, I found myself with ample time and contacted Doug. Last Thursday, I flew to Minnesota to spend a few days with him. The prospect of meeting this larger-than-life figure once again filled me with anticipation.
Doug's primary MOS was a Scout/Sniper with State Platoon, and he rose to the rank of First Sergeant (E-8), leading his teams on multiple deployments. His service may have extended into contracting roles with the DoD, though he does not speak of these missions.
Doug greeted me at the airport with a warm smile, driving his F350. He remains a warrior who readily offers praise and uplifts those around him, enriching the lives of everyone he encounters.
During my stay, we spent time in his garage, sharing stories over tequila. Everything about Doug continues to impress me, and he maintains the discipline and presence I remember from 37 years ago. I expressed my heartfelt gratitude for his positive influence on my life.
I am profoundly grateful to men like these and salute them for transforming boys into men. Their legacy of leadership and mentorship is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Marine Corps.
We planed to go fishing on Sunday (Father's Day) on a lake near his home. On Sunday evening, he asked me if I knew how to fish. I replied that I am a city boy and had very little experience fishing. He immediately set up two fishing poles, with lead weights and no hooks, so I could practice casting. For the next 2 hours, we stood in the street of his cul-de-sac and he taught me to properly cast a line. Rain poured on us, but it did not slow us down or stop us from practicing. One of his favorite saying is "If it's not raining, we're not training!" As my rudimentary casting skills grew, a smile exploded on his face. He is a natural-born leader and mentor. We fished on Sunday and he caught a fish, but no luck for me. As we packed the equipment up, he tossed me a small rubber fish. I caught it and he said, "Now you can tell everyone you caught a fish." Doug is a badass and I am grateful to him beyond words.
In the attached photo, Doug is a little grayer than before but stands as a badass warrior and exemplifies the spirit of the Corps.
Semper Fi, David
