thedrifter
03-01-05, 09:12 PM
Harvard graduate answers call to duty
Submitted by: 1st Marine Corps District
Story Identification #: 2005228151657
Story by Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Hanks
Elizabeth, N.J., (Feb. 17, 2005) -- He first learned about the Marine Corps while reading books from the “Landmark” series. These books offered first-hand experiences of the dedication and tenacity of front-line Marines during battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
Little did he know, two decades later, those childhood books would lead him to join to the Marine Corps.
Moses Bloom, 26, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as a rifleman Feb. 6. He began recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 22.
“To me, the Marine Corps' highly disciplined and principled culture is extremely appealing,” Bloom said. “The Marine Corps has a long history, as a mobile, quick-attack force, fighting the complex, low-intensity conflicts we will need to confront more and more.”
“Infantry is the heart of the Marine Corps. It’s the traditional role,” he said. “I wanted to be on the ground side, in combat arms.”
Bloom said he chose to enlist first in the Marine Corps Reserve so he could learn and understand more about the Marine Corps before pursuing to become and officer.
“It’s my understanding that the best officers are those who have a real understanding of their men and women, where they are coming from, how they think, and what kinds of things they have been through. So to start out on the enlisted side seems to be a good idea.”
Bloom said he was attracted to the Marine Corps because of its strong sense of mission.
“There is so much emphasis in the Marine Corps on achieving the mission, figuring out what you need to do to achieve the mission, and planning very carefully to get that done,” he said. “In the private sector, there is sometimes not the same moral courage to stay focused on the key objectives. In the Marine Corps, you know that everyone around you has joined because of their dedication to accomplishing the mission together.”
Bloom, raised in Summit, N.J., attended and graduated from Pingry School in June 1996. He then attended Harvard University in September the same year and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Mathematics in June 2000. After college he went to work for the Boston Consulting Group in Atlanta.
The thought of joining the Marine Corps did cross his mind occasionally. However, it was not until the tragic events of September 11, 2001, that he began to think about it more seriously.
“After September 11, 2001, I realized how important it was to take that personal responsibly to contribute somehow to make sure the country is protected,” he said. “Beforehand, I thought of it as more of an interesting and worthwhile experience, but not as necessary.”
But after 9-11 the necessity of it became clearer to Bloom.
“I don’t know that only one person can make a big difference,” he said. “The impact is probably small in the scheme of things but everyone can contribute to that common goal.”
Bloom was inspired by the experiences of many of his friends and classmates, such as high school and college classmate Larry Obst, a U.S. Army combat engineer officer who served in Iraq; childhood friend Nick Woodworth, a U.S. Navy pilot; and BCG colleague Talley Lambert, a former Marine Corps officer.
In Oct. 2003, Bloom made his first attempt to join. However, he was disqualified due to excess myopia (nearsightedness). Although Bloom was denied a medical wavier, he did not let that stop him from pursuing his dream.
For the next year, Bloom set out on what would be a lengthy process to confirm that his eyesight, with a medical wavier, would be within regulation.
“I really wanted to be a part of the Marine Corps,” he said. “I figured that once I had started the process, I would not give up until I had explored every avenue. I was very fortunate to get advice and support from a wide range of people about how to get this done.”
After going to several specialists, who did in-depth examinations on his eyes, Bloom received the required documentation for the military medical doctors. In January 2005, his dedication, determination and patience finally paid off. Bloom was granted his long awaited medical wavier.
With the waiver in hand, he wasted no time enlisting. Bloom knows that, even with his college degree and experience, recruit training will test him.
“(Recruit training) will be very challenging, both mentally and physically,” he said. “I have talked to several people and they described it as the hardest thing they have ever done. I imagine that the School of Infantry will be the same way.”
Throughout his efforts of trying to get into the Marine Corps, Bloom never lost the support of his family and friends.
"We are very proud of Moses for his decision to serve and his persistence pursuing that goal,” said his parents, Sandra and Jonathan Bloom. “We hope that he will make a real contribution to the Corps and to the country."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005228152248/$file/DSC_HARVARD04alow.jpg
Moses Bloom, a Harvard graduate, left for Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 22, 2005 to earn the title Marine. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Hanks
The Drifter's Wife
Ellie
Submitted by: 1st Marine Corps District
Story Identification #: 2005228151657
Story by Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Hanks
Elizabeth, N.J., (Feb. 17, 2005) -- He first learned about the Marine Corps while reading books from the “Landmark” series. These books offered first-hand experiences of the dedication and tenacity of front-line Marines during battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
Little did he know, two decades later, those childhood books would lead him to join to the Marine Corps.
Moses Bloom, 26, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as a rifleman Feb. 6. He began recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 22.
“To me, the Marine Corps' highly disciplined and principled culture is extremely appealing,” Bloom said. “The Marine Corps has a long history, as a mobile, quick-attack force, fighting the complex, low-intensity conflicts we will need to confront more and more.”
“Infantry is the heart of the Marine Corps. It’s the traditional role,” he said. “I wanted to be on the ground side, in combat arms.”
Bloom said he chose to enlist first in the Marine Corps Reserve so he could learn and understand more about the Marine Corps before pursuing to become and officer.
“It’s my understanding that the best officers are those who have a real understanding of their men and women, where they are coming from, how they think, and what kinds of things they have been through. So to start out on the enlisted side seems to be a good idea.”
Bloom said he was attracted to the Marine Corps because of its strong sense of mission.
“There is so much emphasis in the Marine Corps on achieving the mission, figuring out what you need to do to achieve the mission, and planning very carefully to get that done,” he said. “In the private sector, there is sometimes not the same moral courage to stay focused on the key objectives. In the Marine Corps, you know that everyone around you has joined because of their dedication to accomplishing the mission together.”
Bloom, raised in Summit, N.J., attended and graduated from Pingry School in June 1996. He then attended Harvard University in September the same year and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Mathematics in June 2000. After college he went to work for the Boston Consulting Group in Atlanta.
The thought of joining the Marine Corps did cross his mind occasionally. However, it was not until the tragic events of September 11, 2001, that he began to think about it more seriously.
“After September 11, 2001, I realized how important it was to take that personal responsibly to contribute somehow to make sure the country is protected,” he said. “Beforehand, I thought of it as more of an interesting and worthwhile experience, but not as necessary.”
But after 9-11 the necessity of it became clearer to Bloom.
“I don’t know that only one person can make a big difference,” he said. “The impact is probably small in the scheme of things but everyone can contribute to that common goal.”
Bloom was inspired by the experiences of many of his friends and classmates, such as high school and college classmate Larry Obst, a U.S. Army combat engineer officer who served in Iraq; childhood friend Nick Woodworth, a U.S. Navy pilot; and BCG colleague Talley Lambert, a former Marine Corps officer.
In Oct. 2003, Bloom made his first attempt to join. However, he was disqualified due to excess myopia (nearsightedness). Although Bloom was denied a medical wavier, he did not let that stop him from pursuing his dream.
For the next year, Bloom set out on what would be a lengthy process to confirm that his eyesight, with a medical wavier, would be within regulation.
“I really wanted to be a part of the Marine Corps,” he said. “I figured that once I had started the process, I would not give up until I had explored every avenue. I was very fortunate to get advice and support from a wide range of people about how to get this done.”
After going to several specialists, who did in-depth examinations on his eyes, Bloom received the required documentation for the military medical doctors. In January 2005, his dedication, determination and patience finally paid off. Bloom was granted his long awaited medical wavier.
With the waiver in hand, he wasted no time enlisting. Bloom knows that, even with his college degree and experience, recruit training will test him.
“(Recruit training) will be very challenging, both mentally and physically,” he said. “I have talked to several people and they described it as the hardest thing they have ever done. I imagine that the School of Infantry will be the same way.”
Throughout his efforts of trying to get into the Marine Corps, Bloom never lost the support of his family and friends.
"We are very proud of Moses for his decision to serve and his persistence pursuing that goal,” said his parents, Sandra and Jonathan Bloom. “We hope that he will make a real contribution to the Corps and to the country."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2005228152248/$file/DSC_HARVARD04alow.jpg
Moses Bloom, a Harvard graduate, left for Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 22, 2005 to earn the title Marine. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Hanks
The Drifter's Wife
Ellie