thedrifter
07-29-07, 07:08 AM
Marine Corps welcomes students into the ranks
By Heather Guenther
PUBLISHED: July 29, 2007
U.S. Marine Corps recruitment officers welcomed more than 30 future Marines to the fold during a banquet held recently at the Downriver YMCA of Southgate.
Created by officials from the 4th Marine Corps District, the event honored high school students who have taken the first steps toward becoming Marines following graduation.
"In a society where you wonder if kids are doing the right thing and have the right morals, you just have to look around this room," said Maj. Ralph Rizzo of Recruiting Station Detroit.
At the banquet, next year's high school seniors, all of whom enlisted at one of 13 recruitment substations across southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio, were recognized for deciding to enter the Corps' Delayed Entry Program, said Cpl. Justin Shemanski, public affairs chief at Recruiting Station Detroit.
"Many of the recruits are 18 years old and they're making a very mature decision," he said.
"We wanted to just shine the spotlight on them more and let them know that it's not all about getting them to sign on the dotted line, but that they're part of a team."
By enlisting in the program before graduating from high school, students are able to delay their departure for recruit training for up to a full year, Rizzo said.
"In the 365 days that they are eligible for the program, we help recruits with their physical training and help teach them the customs and courtesy of the Marines," he said.
During the event, enlistees and guests were served lunch, provided by G. Philips CafÈ, Catering and Cooking, and learned more about their journey leading up to basic training.
Together, the students took the oath of enlistment.
"Just imagine enlisting in the Marines while our country is at war," said Barbara Grobbel, director of G. Philip's.
Her son is a Marine serving in Iraq.
"How many people would do that?" she said. "It's phenomenal and every last one of them should be acknowledged."
Future Marines were encouraged to invite friends and family so loved ones could ask recruitment officers the tough questions about recruits' transformation from civilian to Marine.
"Having the parents here is as important as having the future Marines here today," said Sgt. Maj. Scott VanDeVen of Recruiting Station Detroit.
More than 100 people attended the event, and some families traveled for as long as three hours to get there. Recruitment officers said they were pleasantly surprised at the number of parents who attended.
"While the event is about recognition for the kids, a lot of it is also about getting the parents support up front," said Gunnery Sgt. Eryck Little, a career recruiter stationed at the Southgate substation.
"A lot of times, parents don't get involved until their child comes home and tells them what they want to do.
"The sooner the parents get involved in the Marine transformation, the more likely it is they will make it through boot camp."
The banquet is similar to the Marines' family night, another event held to inform loved ones of the process of joining the Corps.
Officers usually hold three family nights at different locations across southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio to talk to the enlistees from four surrounding recruitment stations at a time.
"Generally, we hold three family nights so people do not have to drive three hours to an event," Rizzo said.
"We bring drill instructors from Parris Island, S.C., to answer questions and it helps to put the parents' minds to rest."
Following the banquet, the next step for recruits will be 13 weeks of entry level training at Parris Island, the location of basic training for all recruits east of the Mississippi River, said Shemanski.
"I leave for Parris Island June 20, 2008," said Wyandotte resident Steven Doak, one of three students recruited through the Southgate substation. "It should be fun because I'll get to meet new people there."
Once they make it to the end of training, new Marines will head in different directions.
Those enlisted for active duty will be assigned to units to begin their service, while those enlisted as reserves will attend school and participate in monthly drills.
"We consider the Marines a family and these youngsters don't know what that means yet, but it extends beyond the four or 40 years of service you do in uniform," Rizzo said.
"There is no such thing as an ex-Marine, only former Marines."
Ellie
By Heather Guenther
PUBLISHED: July 29, 2007
U.S. Marine Corps recruitment officers welcomed more than 30 future Marines to the fold during a banquet held recently at the Downriver YMCA of Southgate.
Created by officials from the 4th Marine Corps District, the event honored high school students who have taken the first steps toward becoming Marines following graduation.
"In a society where you wonder if kids are doing the right thing and have the right morals, you just have to look around this room," said Maj. Ralph Rizzo of Recruiting Station Detroit.
At the banquet, next year's high school seniors, all of whom enlisted at one of 13 recruitment substations across southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio, were recognized for deciding to enter the Corps' Delayed Entry Program, said Cpl. Justin Shemanski, public affairs chief at Recruiting Station Detroit.
"Many of the recruits are 18 years old and they're making a very mature decision," he said.
"We wanted to just shine the spotlight on them more and let them know that it's not all about getting them to sign on the dotted line, but that they're part of a team."
By enlisting in the program before graduating from high school, students are able to delay their departure for recruit training for up to a full year, Rizzo said.
"In the 365 days that they are eligible for the program, we help recruits with their physical training and help teach them the customs and courtesy of the Marines," he said.
During the event, enlistees and guests were served lunch, provided by G. Philips CafÈ, Catering and Cooking, and learned more about their journey leading up to basic training.
Together, the students took the oath of enlistment.
"Just imagine enlisting in the Marines while our country is at war," said Barbara Grobbel, director of G. Philip's.
Her son is a Marine serving in Iraq.
"How many people would do that?" she said. "It's phenomenal and every last one of them should be acknowledged."
Future Marines were encouraged to invite friends and family so loved ones could ask recruitment officers the tough questions about recruits' transformation from civilian to Marine.
"Having the parents here is as important as having the future Marines here today," said Sgt. Maj. Scott VanDeVen of Recruiting Station Detroit.
More than 100 people attended the event, and some families traveled for as long as three hours to get there. Recruitment officers said they were pleasantly surprised at the number of parents who attended.
"While the event is about recognition for the kids, a lot of it is also about getting the parents support up front," said Gunnery Sgt. Eryck Little, a career recruiter stationed at the Southgate substation.
"A lot of times, parents don't get involved until their child comes home and tells them what they want to do.
"The sooner the parents get involved in the Marine transformation, the more likely it is they will make it through boot camp."
The banquet is similar to the Marines' family night, another event held to inform loved ones of the process of joining the Corps.
Officers usually hold three family nights at different locations across southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio to talk to the enlistees from four surrounding recruitment stations at a time.
"Generally, we hold three family nights so people do not have to drive three hours to an event," Rizzo said.
"We bring drill instructors from Parris Island, S.C., to answer questions and it helps to put the parents' minds to rest."
Following the banquet, the next step for recruits will be 13 weeks of entry level training at Parris Island, the location of basic training for all recruits east of the Mississippi River, said Shemanski.
"I leave for Parris Island June 20, 2008," said Wyandotte resident Steven Doak, one of three students recruited through the Southgate substation. "It should be fun because I'll get to meet new people there."
Once they make it to the end of training, new Marines will head in different directions.
Those enlisted for active duty will be assigned to units to begin their service, while those enlisted as reserves will attend school and participate in monthly drills.
"We consider the Marines a family and these youngsters don't know what that means yet, but it extends beyond the four or 40 years of service you do in uniform," Rizzo said.
"There is no such thing as an ex-Marine, only former Marines."
Ellie