Like Your Gonna Die Young

What is good advice that has led to lots of prior success and where did you hear it?

“Let’s make the most of the night, like we’re gonna die young.” “Die Young” (Ke$ha “Warrior” 2012)

The answer to that question for me goes back to late 2012 somewhere in the Southern California desert, Twenty-Nine Palms to be exact. Two weeks after turning 20 years old I was promoted to the rank of Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, the first rank with real responsibilities, if you can handle it. (Time to sink or swim)

I had gone to boot camp ten days after graduating high school so in about two years I went from an unsure teen civilian to confident somewhat battletested asshole being sent to Twenty-Nine Palms as the lead mechanic for H.E. platoon. I felt like hot shit.

Wet behind the ears as a 20-year-old NCO I had developed a bit of an ego, especially since we had come back from Afghanistan earlier that year in 2012. A small group of us was sent out to help our sister unit 374 expand their flight line. During that month or so long project I roomed with a sergeant new to our shop, nice guy but new so he got stuck with the FNG (fucking new guy), me.

Being a fresh Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) I didn’t rate as much as my senior NCO’s, meaning I was head mates (shared a bathroom) with junior Marines. Honestly, I can’t remember who was next to us exactly, but I do remember one, Zach Crowley. A mild-mannered boy from Missouri he had got to our Unit 371 before I did and was a year or so my elder.

LCpl Crowley and I had a unique relationship, like I said he had shown up to our unit before I did but didn’t pick up Corporal before I did. This led to me being his superior, on more than one occasion I had to council him both formerly and informally which was awkward to say the least. But as a Corporal I was in charge of him, tasked with leading him in the right direction.

Prior to this mentor mentee relationship though he was one of the Marines who reached out to me when I first got to Yuma, Arizona. Not directly but he hung out with the “Texas Marines” that taught me how to ride a bull before we went to Afghanistan. We ended up participating in a local rodeo together becoming a bit closer, so we were somewhat friends before mentor mentee.

The last memory I have of Zach Crowley is him looking at me, giggling sheepishly because I was an asshole, “gosh Corporal you really like that song.”

He was referring to Ke$ha’s “Die Young,” I had listened to it the entire time during my 30-minute shower. I was embarrassed to say the least. So, I did the only thing I know how to do, overcompensate.

Admitting that I in fact did love that song because it offered great perspective.

“Let’s make the most of the night, like we’re gonna die young.”

I’m not sure if I was looking for a way to save face (gotta love that fragile male ego) or if I really did connect with the song but I have carried that bit of advice with me from 2012 on.

This line of logic led to great times as a Marine Security Guard from 2013-2016.

Another reason why I think this lesson stuck with me is because late 2016 Zach Crowley left this earth leaving behind a wife and children. I believe passing before he reached 30, truly unfortunately dying young. He dedicated his life to serving his fellow man, after getting out of the Marines he served as a Corrections Officer and Firefighter.

I never got to thank Zach for teaching me that lesson. A lesson that contributes to my current will to survive and succeed.

He also taught me that a man doesn’t have to be a complete asshole to lead them properly.

Honesty.

Humility.

Compassion.

There is more to leading young men than just being the “hardest dick.”

Sorry compensating with what I got.

There is plenty I have left out but just know I am only the person I am today thanks to people like Zach. People who have helped me find a better way to live. I’m the lucky one who is still here so in honor of Zach

So, therefore I write this inadequate homage to a teacher of the past. A friend who inadvertently taught me what I consider to be one of the most important ideas to live by.

Thank you, Zach, for having little human moments with me that contributed to me becoming a better person.