thedrifter
11-08-03, 07:14 AM
New Marine thrives on Army roots - Military experience leads former soldier to top honors in recruit training
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 2003117123132
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(November 7, 2003) -- In Company H's graduation ceremony today, there is one new Marine who stands out from everyone else in his company. He sports four ribbons, a gold star on his National Defense Medal and a set of jump wings.
This Marine is Lance Cpl. Maurice Scott, Platoon 2017, Company H. The 25-year-old grew up in Chicago and is the son of an Army lieutenant colonel.
"I played sports in high school and was always in good shape," said Scott. "I wanted to get out of where I was, so the Army seemed like a clear choice."
Scott enlisted as a radio operator and was attached to an infantry unit. As a result of the mission of his unit, Scott was put in a position to receive extra training.
While in the Army, Scott earned his jump wings, air assault wings, and went to Ranger School. He also earned six ribbons, and now rates a gold star on his National Defense Medal. Now, as a Marine, Scott rates to wear four of his ribbons and his jump wings.
"Ranger School was really tough," said Scott. "It was really physically and mentally demanding."
After four years in the Army, Scott was honorably discharged as a specialist and went back home to go to college.
He attended the University of Illinois in Chicago and studied Exercise Physiology for two years before he joined the Marines.
"I was inspired by the Sept. 11 tragedies," said Scott. "I was also tired of doing nothing with my life. I slipped into a boring lifestyle, but I wanted a bigger challenge than the Army. So I joined the Marine Corps."
This time, Scott enlisted as an infantryman because of his prior experience with infantry units.
"The only thing I wanted to do was infantry," said Scott. "Everything revolves around the infantry. From my experience, the infantry also has the most camaraderie."
Scott arrived on the Depot three months ago and immediately had an advantage over the other recruits, according to Sgt. Cory Gonya, drill instructor, Platoon 2017, Co. H.
"Scott was already a good leader because of the extra schools he went to in the Army," said Gonya. "The platoon follows him without question because they respect his prior service. He's become a role model to them. The Crucible was a time when his leadership really shined. He handled the hunger, lack of sleep and hardships better than any recruit I've ever seen."
Scott's selfless leadership, and the example he set, earned him the respect of fellow platoon members early on.
"Scott is really outgoing," said PFC Lee Payne, Platoon 2017, Co. H. "He's willing to make sacrifices for us. It's like he doesn't even care about himself. He always puts the platoon first. Point blank - he is a natural-born leader."
Scott showed himself to be an outstanding recruit all around, according to Gonya. His poise, physical ability and leadership ability was initially installed by the Army, but groomed to near perfection by the Marine Corps.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003117123244/$file/recruit_lr.jpg
Lance Cpl. Maurice Scott, Platoon 2017, Company H, snaps and pops at graduation practice. Scott went through Airborne School, Air Assault School and Ranger School in the Army before joining the Marine Corps. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/8F9457247FB2ECF085256DD70060455F?opendocument
The Drifter
:marine:
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 2003117123132
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(November 7, 2003) -- In Company H's graduation ceremony today, there is one new Marine who stands out from everyone else in his company. He sports four ribbons, a gold star on his National Defense Medal and a set of jump wings.
This Marine is Lance Cpl. Maurice Scott, Platoon 2017, Company H. The 25-year-old grew up in Chicago and is the son of an Army lieutenant colonel.
"I played sports in high school and was always in good shape," said Scott. "I wanted to get out of where I was, so the Army seemed like a clear choice."
Scott enlisted as a radio operator and was attached to an infantry unit. As a result of the mission of his unit, Scott was put in a position to receive extra training.
While in the Army, Scott earned his jump wings, air assault wings, and went to Ranger School. He also earned six ribbons, and now rates a gold star on his National Defense Medal. Now, as a Marine, Scott rates to wear four of his ribbons and his jump wings.
"Ranger School was really tough," said Scott. "It was really physically and mentally demanding."
After four years in the Army, Scott was honorably discharged as a specialist and went back home to go to college.
He attended the University of Illinois in Chicago and studied Exercise Physiology for two years before he joined the Marines.
"I was inspired by the Sept. 11 tragedies," said Scott. "I was also tired of doing nothing with my life. I slipped into a boring lifestyle, but I wanted a bigger challenge than the Army. So I joined the Marine Corps."
This time, Scott enlisted as an infantryman because of his prior experience with infantry units.
"The only thing I wanted to do was infantry," said Scott. "Everything revolves around the infantry. From my experience, the infantry also has the most camaraderie."
Scott arrived on the Depot three months ago and immediately had an advantage over the other recruits, according to Sgt. Cory Gonya, drill instructor, Platoon 2017, Co. H.
"Scott was already a good leader because of the extra schools he went to in the Army," said Gonya. "The platoon follows him without question because they respect his prior service. He's become a role model to them. The Crucible was a time when his leadership really shined. He handled the hunger, lack of sleep and hardships better than any recruit I've ever seen."
Scott's selfless leadership, and the example he set, earned him the respect of fellow platoon members early on.
"Scott is really outgoing," said PFC Lee Payne, Platoon 2017, Co. H. "He's willing to make sacrifices for us. It's like he doesn't even care about himself. He always puts the platoon first. Point blank - he is a natural-born leader."
Scott showed himself to be an outstanding recruit all around, according to Gonya. His poise, physical ability and leadership ability was initially installed by the Army, but groomed to near perfection by the Marine Corps.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003117123244/$file/recruit_lr.jpg
Lance Cpl. Maurice Scott, Platoon 2017, Company H, snaps and pops at graduation practice. Scott went through Airborne School, Air Assault School and Ranger School in the Army before joining the Marine Corps. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/8F9457247FB2ECF085256DD70060455F?opendocument
The Drifter
:marine: