thedrifter
06-16-08, 06:29 AM
For 2 local grads, dream of becoming a Marine starts today
Monday, June 16, 2008
BY FORD TURNER
Of The Patriot-News
The definition of "gung ho" will be expanded today.
Brian Riddle and Ryan Rexrode will travel to Parris Island, S.C., for Marine Corps basic training. They were so eager to become Marines that they were among the first of their age group in the nation to enlist.
Rexrode could not tolerate the thought of a white-collar career. Riddle hung around the Marine Corps recruiting table in high school so much that a recruiter joked about escorting him back to class.
In May 2007, as soon as they learned the Marines' delayed-entry window was open, they showed up in the Lower Paxton Twp. recruiting office of Staff Sgt. Chad Townsend. They became, Townsend said, among the first in the nation in their class to be sworn in.
This month, Rexrode graduated from Central Dauphin East High School and Riddle received his diploma from Dauphin County Technical School. Today, they were to be awakened before dawn for the trip to Parris Island and its grueling 13-week initiation to the Marines.
"Both of them," Townsend said, "are going to be awesome Marines."
Riddle, the son of Donna Bockelkamp of Susquehanna Twp. and Jeff Riddle of Lower Paxton Twp., wanted to be a firefighter when he was little. He also developed an interest in cutting hair.
He joined the Progress Fire Company as a teenager and enrolled in the technical school's cosmetology program. His burning desire to become a Marine was kindled in 2001, when he attended the Parris Island graduation ceremony of his older brother, Brandon Zettlemoyer.
"Everybody was clean-cut and sharp. There was nothing out of control. There was balance," Riddle said. "There was respect."
His mother said Zettlemoyer was a hero to his little brother.
Brian Riddle earned a state cosmetology license via the technical school program. Inside the Progress firehouse, next to the gleaming bulk of the Tower 32 truck, his fellow firefighters regularly sat in a wood chair for free haircuts.
Marine Corps stickers are fixed above the pegs where his gear hangs. There is a general expectation that his enthusiasm will transfer from the firehouse to the Marine Corps.
"He is a good firefighter," Lt. Benjamin Wolford said. "He is a go-getter. He is aggressive. He loves helping people."
Rexrode, the son of Michael and Marilyn Rexrode of Lower Paxton Twp., wrestled for Central Dauphin East throughout high school. He rode a snowboard at Ski Roundtop in Warrington Twp. and took trips to Okemo Mountain in Vermont.
He discovered he did not like to sit still.
"I have to be doing something," he said.
He met a Marine several years ago and came away impressed. His mother, who wanted him to go to college, said she asked him why he wanted to become a Marine.
"He said he wanted to be the best," she said. "And he wanted to do something he could be proud of."
Rexrode and Riddle signed up for the delayed-entry program as soon as they were eligible.
They had blood tests and were fingerprinted. Any scars they had were examined. They raised their right hands and took the Marine Corps oath of enlistment, in which they swore to support and defend the Constitution of the U.S. against all enemies.
"They know what they want," Townsend said. "I had been talking to them from the beginning of their junior year."
In the 13 months since enlistment, Riddle and Rexrode have been running and exercising at the Marine Corps recruiting station on Union Deposit Road, preparing for Parris Island. Riddle has given plenty of "high and tight" haircuts to Marines.
"I have been waiting for this day for a long time," he said of his departure.
Rexrode said he was excited about Parris Island and nervous at the same time.
"The whole purpose is to break you down," he said. "I know that is going to happen. They will break you down, then build you up."
The two plan to go through basic training together and move on to specialized military police training.
Townsend was not worried about Rexrode and Riddle. An "honor man" designation, he said, is given to the top performer among the hundreds who take part in each 13-week regimen at Parris Island.
"They will both be in contention for it," Townsend said.
FORD TURNER: 255-8486 or fturner@patriot-news.com
MARINES
Nationwide totals of Marine Corps recruits, active duty and reserve, by fiscal year: 2003 ... 38,675 2004 ... 36,794 2005 ... 38,881 2006 ... 38,217 2007 ... 40,890 Pennsylvania totals: 2003 ... 1,494 2004 ... 1,426 2005 ... 1,563 2006 ... 1,477 2007 ... 1,647 Source: Marine Corps Public Affairs
Ellie
Monday, June 16, 2008
BY FORD TURNER
Of The Patriot-News
The definition of "gung ho" will be expanded today.
Brian Riddle and Ryan Rexrode will travel to Parris Island, S.C., for Marine Corps basic training. They were so eager to become Marines that they were among the first of their age group in the nation to enlist.
Rexrode could not tolerate the thought of a white-collar career. Riddle hung around the Marine Corps recruiting table in high school so much that a recruiter joked about escorting him back to class.
In May 2007, as soon as they learned the Marines' delayed-entry window was open, they showed up in the Lower Paxton Twp. recruiting office of Staff Sgt. Chad Townsend. They became, Townsend said, among the first in the nation in their class to be sworn in.
This month, Rexrode graduated from Central Dauphin East High School and Riddle received his diploma from Dauphin County Technical School. Today, they were to be awakened before dawn for the trip to Parris Island and its grueling 13-week initiation to the Marines.
"Both of them," Townsend said, "are going to be awesome Marines."
Riddle, the son of Donna Bockelkamp of Susquehanna Twp. and Jeff Riddle of Lower Paxton Twp., wanted to be a firefighter when he was little. He also developed an interest in cutting hair.
He joined the Progress Fire Company as a teenager and enrolled in the technical school's cosmetology program. His burning desire to become a Marine was kindled in 2001, when he attended the Parris Island graduation ceremony of his older brother, Brandon Zettlemoyer.
"Everybody was clean-cut and sharp. There was nothing out of control. There was balance," Riddle said. "There was respect."
His mother said Zettlemoyer was a hero to his little brother.
Brian Riddle earned a state cosmetology license via the technical school program. Inside the Progress firehouse, next to the gleaming bulk of the Tower 32 truck, his fellow firefighters regularly sat in a wood chair for free haircuts.
Marine Corps stickers are fixed above the pegs where his gear hangs. There is a general expectation that his enthusiasm will transfer from the firehouse to the Marine Corps.
"He is a good firefighter," Lt. Benjamin Wolford said. "He is a go-getter. He is aggressive. He loves helping people."
Rexrode, the son of Michael and Marilyn Rexrode of Lower Paxton Twp., wrestled for Central Dauphin East throughout high school. He rode a snowboard at Ski Roundtop in Warrington Twp. and took trips to Okemo Mountain in Vermont.
He discovered he did not like to sit still.
"I have to be doing something," he said.
He met a Marine several years ago and came away impressed. His mother, who wanted him to go to college, said she asked him why he wanted to become a Marine.
"He said he wanted to be the best," she said. "And he wanted to do something he could be proud of."
Rexrode and Riddle signed up for the delayed-entry program as soon as they were eligible.
They had blood tests and were fingerprinted. Any scars they had were examined. They raised their right hands and took the Marine Corps oath of enlistment, in which they swore to support and defend the Constitution of the U.S. against all enemies.
"They know what they want," Townsend said. "I had been talking to them from the beginning of their junior year."
In the 13 months since enlistment, Riddle and Rexrode have been running and exercising at the Marine Corps recruiting station on Union Deposit Road, preparing for Parris Island. Riddle has given plenty of "high and tight" haircuts to Marines.
"I have been waiting for this day for a long time," he said of his departure.
Rexrode said he was excited about Parris Island and nervous at the same time.
"The whole purpose is to break you down," he said. "I know that is going to happen. They will break you down, then build you up."
The two plan to go through basic training together and move on to specialized military police training.
Townsend was not worried about Rexrode and Riddle. An "honor man" designation, he said, is given to the top performer among the hundreds who take part in each 13-week regimen at Parris Island.
"They will both be in contention for it," Townsend said.
FORD TURNER: 255-8486 or fturner@patriot-news.com
MARINES
Nationwide totals of Marine Corps recruits, active duty and reserve, by fiscal year: 2003 ... 38,675 2004 ... 36,794 2005 ... 38,881 2006 ... 38,217 2007 ... 40,890 Pennsylvania totals: 2003 ... 1,494 2004 ... 1,426 2005 ... 1,563 2006 ... 1,477 2007 ... 1,647 Source: Marine Corps Public Affairs
Ellie