Feral and Functioning

New on the blog:

A Marine can carry a rifle. Bleed for his country.

But if his skin can’t handle a razor—he might be discharged.

That’s not discipline. That’s a problem.

https://feralandfunctioning.ghost.io/dress-right-dress/

I love this country and its warfighters. I love the rigid structure that demands excellence. It’s the structure that helps me sleep at night—and helps keeps our uniformed men and women alive.

Wearing a uniform demands sacrifice. Full stop. If you can’t meet those demands—the demands of the mission—pack your bags and go. That’s not cruelty. That’s the price of service.

But who are we kidding?

A beard for religious reasons? Protected.
A beard for medical reasons? Grounds for discharge.

We can’t release someone for a religious beard—that would violate constitutional rights. But we can release someone over a genetic medical condition that makes shaving harmful? One that disproportionately affects Black men?

That’s not discipline. That’s both disparagement and borderline targeting. It devalues Marines who’ve proven they can serve through pain, adapt when others would quit, and still stand mission-ready. That’s not a liability. That’s strength.

For a system built on order, that’s a crack in the foundation.

But hey, this is the Marine Corps we’re talking about.

Sad thing is, the Navy probably won’t be far behind.

Unit order, discipline, and morale are vital to the success of every mission. But with all the problems facing the military today, it looks like the Marine Corps is getting back to basics—the hardcore way.

Leaves me with only one question—what or who's next?

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/03/14/marines-can-now-be-kicked-out-skin-condition-affects-mostly-black-men.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawJDYbJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHW4ocvnPSAYZlkkgg9ooM4E7aSTCXwvEzNdhTe0KDKF2kn-Zv3XbRjzcIw_aem_ovcmuT84Udnyhx1HJMdkaw

Marines with Skin Condition Affecting Mostly Black Men Could Now Be Booted Under New Policy A new Marine Corps policy says troops with a genetic skin condition that can cause pain and scarring from shaving and mainly affects Black men can be separated if the health issue persists.

Marriage is quite a journey—
from “I’d die for you”
to “I'm thinking shovel.”

(Lovingly, of course.)

What’s the most unhinged petty fight you’ve had with your partner?

Bonus points if it involved laundry, driving, or breathing too loud.

See the comments for mine...

💍 Before Disney Got Involved

"Don't screw this one up."
That's what me aunt told my at the family reunion. 😂
She was talking about my new marriage-not me.

I get it.
He's kind, faithful, an officer... and yes, he's super cute.
And he doesn't have a string of poor social decisions to

Before Disney Got Involved 💍 Before Disney Got Involved "Don't screw this one up." That's whay me aunt told me at the family reunion. She was talking about my husbnad-not me. I get it. He's kind, faithful, an officer... and yes, he's super cute. He doesn't have a string of poor social decisions to overcome.

If you’ve ever cried in a Kroger parking lot, laughed at a funeral, or prayed for a miracle and a nap at the same time — this page might be for you.

I’m Natalie. I’m a writer (barely), trauma survivor, and a woman who’s been called “too much” and “too intense” more times than I can count.

This isn’t a help space. It’s a self-honesty space.

I write about the hard stuff — and sometimes the “meh” stuff: anxiety, what makes me crazy, marriage, motherhood, neurodiversity, faith, rage, survival.

I write with honesty about my life, my lived experience… and sometimes, just my two cents.

Feral and Functioning isn’t polished — but it’s real. And that’s enough.