Star Wars is a classic tale of good guys fighting bad guys to save the galaxy for all. The factions are clear and the stakes are straightforward enough that the films can appeal to nearly everyone.

I’m too young to have watched Star Wars on its original release, but I was a kid when the Special Editions were re-released in theaters, and with every release I found myself spending multiple days in a row at the cheap theater in my small town soaking it up.

For myself and every young fan that gets into the series, we find ourselves admiring the heroism and grit of guys like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Who doesn’t want to be a hero?

That drive to protect and serve leads many young men and women to enlisting in the Marine Corps and other branches. However, it turns out that the nature of the military means you’re much less likely to be a maverick once-in-a-generation talent, and generally guaranteed to be the completely average Storm Trooper just trying to get through another day under the desert sun(s). Not fighting the Empire, but working for it because of the pay and bennies.

May the 4th be with you, Marines. No one needs it more.