
Why? Because he served in Vietnam and two of his Marines died trying to save a downed Navy pilot. His goal, the goal of the Marine Drill instructors who ran each class under the direction of a Navy Lieutenant sought to weed out the weak so that only the best made it through. Why? Master Sargent Flager wanted to make sure that if anyone were to die trying to save us after being shot down, we'd be worth it.
Greater Love
Love was the motive that made our training tough. Love for country and love for their brother/sister in arms. I learned more about John 15:13 which says; "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends," here in the Navy than I ever did in any church I've attended in America. Most of the Church in America seems to be focused on provision and comfort rather than preparation for our divine call.
The motto was, the more you sweat and bleed in peace, the less likely you were to die in war. During those first 12 weeks they weeded out 65% of the candidates. Only 15 of us received our commission as officers in the US Navy Reserves.
Yahweh Sabboath - Lord of the Hosts/Armies
When you realize that God's name reveals His character and He is called Yaweh Sabboath (Lord of the Armies) more than 245+ times in scripture then you will realize how important a Biblical, spiritual, military perspective is. I mean think about it, He's called Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord our Provider.....ONE TIME in scripture. Look how a revelation of that name has transformed the body of Christ. But God is called Lord of the Armies more than 244 more times that the Lord our Provider.
If you are an author and you are trying to make a point, do you mention it more or less? How is it we miss the blatantly obvious? I submit to you, it's because we're more concerned about "our" comfort than we are about our Father's will.
When we get a revelation of God as Lord of the Armies then 2 Timothy 2:3 and other scriptures will make a whole lot more sense? For example you will see the "grace of God" in a whole new light. Consider the context of 2 Timothy 2.