“The Marines Are Coming…”

From The Vault:  Posted November 10, 2010…

“Alright, so here’s my story…So when I was a senior in high school, I made the decision to join the United States Marine Corps. This decision was made right before September 11th. When September 11th happened, my mom freaked out and begged me to reconsider, I didnt. But she it is what i wanted to do and supported me 110 percent.  After I graduated, I had about 2 months of freedom, then on August 26th, 2002, I got on a bus and headed for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. My family, especially my mom and grandpa kept me going through letters.  Everytime I would think about quitting, I would just think about my family. To this day I still have every single letter written to me.  Boot Camp was rough, Ill spare you the details, but 3 months later, I graduated and became a United States Marine. After boot camp I was sent to Camp Pendleton for Marine Combat and Survival Training. Pretty sweet, got to shoot a bunch of awesome weapons! Downside, we slept in mud! In 2003 I was shipped to San Angelo Texas for Aircraft Rescue and FireFighting School. Spending 4 months in Texas made me hate that place! School was amazing, but the weekends were kinda boring. I finished ARFF training and graduated with honors, then I was sent to the asshole of the world, 29 Palms California. I spent most of 2003 there, then in Feb 2004, my unit received orders to be shipped to Iraq. I spent 7 months in Iraq and again, Ill spare the details but I will say that once again, my family got me through it.

The end of 2004 and all of 2005 were spent in 29 Palms, with some deployments to San Diego, Arizona and other west coast Marine Corps bases. Then we got the news, were going back to Iraq. This time it was different though, I had met someone, Danielley.Danielley and I have been together since November 27th, 2004. So know I was not only tasked with the Marine Corps mission, I was tasked with leaving behind the love of my life.  The night before I left, Danielley, my mom, stepdad, sister, aunt, uncle and cousin came out to 29 Palms and we went to dinner. I can honestly say that upon saying goodbye to everyone that I love and care about, I never cried so much in my life. It was a hard tour this time. By far the longest 7 months of my life.  My 4 years were up on August 25th of 2006, but we got stuck in Iraq. Finally coming home to the arms of Danielley and to the hugs of my family and friends felt amazing, but I knew I was done. I officially received my Honorable Discharge on November 25th, 2006.

I did get to go to my last Marine Corps Birthday Ball with a beautiful young lady…

Im not gonna sugar coat anything, Marine life is hard, but when I look back on it, I loved every bit of it. If anything, it made me grow up and become a man. Once a Marine, always a Marine, so Happy Birthday to all the Marines out there, past and present…