Forward Movement Magazine SUMMER ISSUE 2016 | Page 7

“ FROM A
YOUNG AGE,
I ALWAYS
ENJOYED
HELPING
PEOPLE.
NOW THAT
I HAVE
EXPERIENCES
TO SHARE,
I WANT TO
INSPIRE
PEOPLE.”

WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE
HAVE YOU SERVED IN AND
WHAT WAS YOUR RANK?
United States Marine Corps- Corporal/
Squad Leader-Bravo Company, 2nd Platoon -1/5 (1st Marines/ 5th Division)

WHERE DID YOU SERVE?
My 1st duty station, after graduating boot
camp and the school of infantry was 8th and
I- Marine barracks, Washington D.C. During
my time there, I served on the National Color
Guard of The Marine Corps; As a Rifleman
and Organizational Colors Bearer (The
Marine Corps Flag). 8th and I is the oldest
post in the Corps. My duties there ranged
from presenting colors as my fellow Marines
were laid to rest; from every age group and
different wars to preforming ceremonies
around Capitol Hill, including the Pentagon
and White House, while keeping up my
infantry training. My 2nd duty station in The
Marine Corps was with 1st Marines/ 5th
Division- Bravo Company, 2nd Platoon at
Camp Pendleton California. In 2004, the
5th Marines were deployed to Ramadi Iraq,
during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

HOW LONG DID YOU SERVE?
8 Years total
4 years active (2002-2006)
4 years inactive, I was briefly recalled in
2008.

OSS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Casey Withers

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN?
My family inspired me to join.
My grandfather was in the Navy and one of
the survivors of Pearl Harbor. He was only
17 when he joined the service. At the time
of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, he was only
18 years old. After his service, he lived with,
what was then known as shell shock, but
what is now known as PTSD.
My mother was a Sargent in the Army
and was a medic. She was at the National
Training Center, and on the road to an
outstanding 20-year career, when she was
diagnosed with Lupus. She was honorable
discharged because her treatment interfered
with military protocol.
My father was a Sargent in the Army also,
and was a cook. He was on the Army national track team, and also competed in body
building competitions with the military.
My auntie was also in the Air Force!

WHAT WAS BOOT CAMP LIKE?
Take every movie scene you have ever seen
that depicts a Marine Corps Boot Camp
(ex: Full Metal Jacket, Jarhead etc…) and
add more dirt and blood, more respect,
deeper lessons, harder tests, and 5 more
people in your face. Imagine, having 100
brothers trying to help you achieve your
goal of becoming a Marine, drill instructors
doing everything they can to help you
succeed, while also making sure you earn
the title of MARINE

IS IT AS TOUGH AS ONE
WOULD IMAGINE, OR WORSE?
It was 10 times harder than I thought it
would be. And 10 times worth it.

HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH IT?
I listened, I worked hard, I had the other recruits helping me, (we helped each other,
no recruit makes it through Marine Corps
boot camp alone) letters from my family
(mom, dad, brother) and friends and God.

WHICH WAR(S) DID YOU SERVE IN?
DID YOU SEE COMBAT?
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004-2005
Yes. My primary MOS was 0311; which is
and Infantry Marine. I served as a fire team
leader and squad leader in combat.