--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was in the Marine Corps in 1971. The…" description: "\"I was in the Marine Corps in 1971. The idea 'Where does authority come from?' is fascinating to me. And also, the idea of a chaplain is fascinating to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ed/john-patrick-shanley-13888_also_i-was-in-the-marine-corps-in-1971-the-id_2344150.jpg" --- # I was in the Marine Corps in 1971. The idea 'Where does… ![“I was in the Marine Corps in 1971. The idea 'Where does authority come from?' is fascinating to me. And also, the idea of a chaplain is fascinating to me because it's a man of the cloth in uniform, and it's the uniform of a killing machine. Back when I was in the Corps, when I saw that, I was…” quote by John Patrick Shanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ed/john-patrick-shanley-13888_also_i-was-in-the-marine-corps-in-1971-the-id_2344150.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ed/john-patrick-shanley-13888_also_i-was-in-the-marine-corps-in-1971-the-id_2344150.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ed/john-patrick-shanley-13888_also_i-was-in-the-marine-corps-in-1971-the-id_2344150.jpg) > “I was in the Marine Corps in 1971. The idea 'Where does authority come from?' is fascinating to me. And also, the idea of a chaplain is fascinating to me because it's a man of the cloth in uniform, and it's the uniform of a killing machine. Back when I was in the Corps, when I saw that, I was amazed by it.” [John Patrick Shanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-patrick-shanley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on the paradox of military authority and the presence of chaplains, highlighting moral contradictions in war. **In simple terms:** Military power and religious duty clash in war. Key Takeaway Question authority and moral roles. Themes authority morality military religion paradox Mood thoughtful conflicted Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - military service - ethical debates - personal reflection Key Concepts ethical conflict institutional paradox role of chaplain Questions to Reflect On - How does authority affect moral decisions? - Can compassion coexist with combat? A Different Perspective The view may overlook individual chaplain experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/) [Amazed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazed/) [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/back/) [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [Chaplain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaplain/) [Chaplain Fascinating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaplain-fascinating-5684152/) [Cloth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cloth/) [Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Corps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corps/) [Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/does/) [Fascinating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fascinating/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Idea Chaplain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-chaplain-5684151/) [Machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machine/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Marine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marine/) [Marine Corp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marine-corp/) [Marine corps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marine-corps/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Saw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saw/) [Uniform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uniform/) [Uniform Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uniform-killing-5684153/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) ## Related quotes > [He that preaches war is the devil's chaplain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ray/he-that-preaches-war-is-the-devil-s-chaplain/) [John Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ray/) > [A chaplain's assistant is customarily a figure of fun in the American Army.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/a-chaplain-s-assistant-is-customarily-a-figure-of-fun-in-the-american/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [An atheist chaplain would be the perfect vehicle for convincing wounded warriors that they should end their lives because there's nothing in the future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-klingenschmitt/an-atheist-chaplain-would-be-the-perfect-vehicle-for-convincing/) [Gordon Klingenschmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-klingenschmitt/) > [“It was love at first sight. 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