A commander’s public praise helped a marine doubt his own self-doubt

Evidence

At least the major was with him, and after he pinned Sami, he said to the young man, “I feel privileged and honored. There has never been a marine who deserved this more than you do.” The words were deeply affecting to Sami. The major was the marine of all marines to him. If God had made a marine, thought Sami, it’s the major. And for him to say that … well, maybe I really am a better-than-average marine. — Moustafa Bayoumi, How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being…, 260

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the book’s overarching exploration of how recognition from institutions can offset the psychological weight of being seen as a problem.