thedrifter
06-22-05, 10:27 AM
Graduate to live dream of being a Marine
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
By LEO STRUPCZEWSKI
For the Courier-Post
WOOLWICH
David Matthes shined a new pair of shoes the night before his graduation.
An 18-year-old senior at Kingsway Regional High School, Matthes has been shining his shoes for important events since he was a child.
On Aug. 29, the Woolwich resident will report to the Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., where everyone will have a jar of shoe polish.
It's what Matthes always wanted.
"I've wanted to join the military since I was 12," he said. "My dad was in the Army, my grandfather was in the Navy. I guess it was in the blood."
He chose the Marines, because it's the most disciplined and most respected, he said. It's also the smallest, a factor that certainly contributes to its elite status, said Staff Sgt. Jason Rios, who is in charge of recruiting in Gloucester, Camden and Salem counties.
"I guess it's pride," Matthes said of his decision. "But it's also choosing a different path."
That path was only recently made open for him, however. Matthes suffers from asthma. Originally told he couldn't join, he was cleared late this past year, he said.
For him, the path has always been certain. Matthes opted not to take the SATs, because he was determined to join the military. Had he not received medical clearance, he would have taken the SATs and gone to college, he said.
He says he is attracted to the need for discipline, something for which Matthes constantly strives.
Nearly 40,000 high school seniors in the U.S. committed to joining the Army, Army Reserve, Navy and Air Force in 2004. A Marines spokesman couldn't provide statistics for the Marines.
With the Marines being the smallest of the armed forces, it's a strong indication as to the type of person who joins, Rios said.
Nearly all recruits enter with a sense of focus and dedication. There aren't many who come through "looking at the Marines as a last resort," Rios said.
"They aren't doing it because they have to, they do it because they want to," he said.
Matthes is no different. He works out at the Woodbury Recruiting station two nights a week in preparation for boot camp. He runs roughly 2 1/2 miles with stops along the way to do sit-ups, push-ups and other exercises. He does pull-ups in the recruiting office.
At 14, he went to a police academy program for youths. It was a weeklong boot camp, a preview of what a police academy is like, he said.
"I've always felt discipline is an important part of a person," he said.
It's no surprise then that Matthes will train to join the Marine Corps' infantry.
"Infantrymen are the backbone of the Marines," Rios said. "The Corps exists for them. It's the best of the best."
The opportunity, which will provide plenty of learning experiences, is something Matthes looks forward to.
"I expect to learn a lot, to see the world," he said. "Everyone who joins wants to learn more about themselves, so they can learn what their capabilities are."
Matthes said he has talked with number of Marines who have served in Iraq.
"They say what's on the news isn't what it's always like over there," he said. "They seem to focus on the casualties instead of the accomplishments."
Still, he says he is aware of the situations he could face and how different life in the Marines will be from that which he knows now.
"Like most teenagers, I like to hang out with my friends as much as possible," he said. "Recently, I've gotten a lot closer with my friends. This will probably be the last summer we'll all be together."
That won't stop Matthes from enjoying his summer, especially right before he leaves.
"My mom's already given me permission to throw the biggest party ever," he said.
Ellie
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
By LEO STRUPCZEWSKI
For the Courier-Post
WOOLWICH
David Matthes shined a new pair of shoes the night before his graduation.
An 18-year-old senior at Kingsway Regional High School, Matthes has been shining his shoes for important events since he was a child.
On Aug. 29, the Woolwich resident will report to the Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., where everyone will have a jar of shoe polish.
It's what Matthes always wanted.
"I've wanted to join the military since I was 12," he said. "My dad was in the Army, my grandfather was in the Navy. I guess it was in the blood."
He chose the Marines, because it's the most disciplined and most respected, he said. It's also the smallest, a factor that certainly contributes to its elite status, said Staff Sgt. Jason Rios, who is in charge of recruiting in Gloucester, Camden and Salem counties.
"I guess it's pride," Matthes said of his decision. "But it's also choosing a different path."
That path was only recently made open for him, however. Matthes suffers from asthma. Originally told he couldn't join, he was cleared late this past year, he said.
For him, the path has always been certain. Matthes opted not to take the SATs, because he was determined to join the military. Had he not received medical clearance, he would have taken the SATs and gone to college, he said.
He says he is attracted to the need for discipline, something for which Matthes constantly strives.
Nearly 40,000 high school seniors in the U.S. committed to joining the Army, Army Reserve, Navy and Air Force in 2004. A Marines spokesman couldn't provide statistics for the Marines.
With the Marines being the smallest of the armed forces, it's a strong indication as to the type of person who joins, Rios said.
Nearly all recruits enter with a sense of focus and dedication. There aren't many who come through "looking at the Marines as a last resort," Rios said.
"They aren't doing it because they have to, they do it because they want to," he said.
Matthes is no different. He works out at the Woodbury Recruiting station two nights a week in preparation for boot camp. He runs roughly 2 1/2 miles with stops along the way to do sit-ups, push-ups and other exercises. He does pull-ups in the recruiting office.
At 14, he went to a police academy program for youths. It was a weeklong boot camp, a preview of what a police academy is like, he said.
"I've always felt discipline is an important part of a person," he said.
It's no surprise then that Matthes will train to join the Marine Corps' infantry.
"Infantrymen are the backbone of the Marines," Rios said. "The Corps exists for them. It's the best of the best."
The opportunity, which will provide plenty of learning experiences, is something Matthes looks forward to.
"I expect to learn a lot, to see the world," he said. "Everyone who joins wants to learn more about themselves, so they can learn what their capabilities are."
Matthes said he has talked with number of Marines who have served in Iraq.
"They say what's on the news isn't what it's always like over there," he said. "They seem to focus on the casualties instead of the accomplishments."
Still, he says he is aware of the situations he could face and how different life in the Marines will be from that which he knows now.
"Like most teenagers, I like to hang out with my friends as much as possible," he said. "Recently, I've gotten a lot closer with my friends. This will probably be the last summer we'll all be together."
That won't stop Matthes from enjoying his summer, especially right before he leaves.
"My mom's already given me permission to throw the biggest party ever," he said.
Ellie