thedrifter
07-11-03, 04:15 PM
New Marine takes first steps to become officer
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 2003711134913
Story by Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(July 11, 2003) -- Most young Americans leave high school with many career options to choose from. Some join the military, some get jobs, and some go to college to pursue higher education.
PFC Louis C. Uhl, Platoon 3090, Company I, is a 31-year-old lawyer from Arizona, who has made his way down all three paths.
After the recent terrorist events in the country started happening, Uhl decided his career as a construction lawyer wasn't giving him enough meaning in life.
"It dawned on me that my country has given me so much, like a great job and a great family," he said.
According to Uhl, the Marine Corps was an opportunity for him to payback his country and also fulfill a dream of his father's, a former Marine captain.
"We were proud he joined the Marine Corps and that he thought it was the right thing to do," said Geri Uhl, his mother. "Since his dad was a Marine, I wasn't surprised he chose the Marine Corps over the other services."
Uhl started talking about joining the Corps in 2001, according to Geri.
"Time was running out for me to join," said the oldest recruit in Platoon 3090. "I wanted to become a military lawyer."
Uhl said becoming a military lawyer is his ultimate goal.
He is a reservist and is awaiting acceptance to Officer Candidate School.
"I enlisted in the reserves to have a different job," said Uhl. "I wanted to learn everything from the ground up, so when I am old and gray I will be able to look back on my experiences.
"I am proud of what I've done," he added. "It is the most worthwhile thing I've done in my life."
Uhl said the Marine Corps has helped him fill a void in his life.
"He seems more mature, even though that may sound odd for a 31-year-old," said Geri.
"It is great to be a part of such a proud institution," said Uhl. "At the end of training, it is great to look back at all the challenges you've overcome."
Uhl said he came here feeling like he was in a movie and was just waiting to see what would unfold. He quickly became amazed how the days piled up and how recruit training seemed to fly by.
Uhl has traveled many roads and has experienced a variety of the fruits life may offer, fruits which many men will never taste or even smell. The next curve on his winding road of career choices is the path that leads to OCS, and with more hard work and determination he may soon fulfill his goal of becoming a military lawyer.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003711141244/$file/Rec_PFC_Uhl_lr.jpg
PFC Louis C. Uhl, Platoon 3090, Company I, cleans the lower receiver of his rifle with a cotton swab after his platoon competed in the final drill competition.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
The Drifter
:marine:
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 2003711134913
Story by Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(July 11, 2003) -- Most young Americans leave high school with many career options to choose from. Some join the military, some get jobs, and some go to college to pursue higher education.
PFC Louis C. Uhl, Platoon 3090, Company I, is a 31-year-old lawyer from Arizona, who has made his way down all three paths.
After the recent terrorist events in the country started happening, Uhl decided his career as a construction lawyer wasn't giving him enough meaning in life.
"It dawned on me that my country has given me so much, like a great job and a great family," he said.
According to Uhl, the Marine Corps was an opportunity for him to payback his country and also fulfill a dream of his father's, a former Marine captain.
"We were proud he joined the Marine Corps and that he thought it was the right thing to do," said Geri Uhl, his mother. "Since his dad was a Marine, I wasn't surprised he chose the Marine Corps over the other services."
Uhl started talking about joining the Corps in 2001, according to Geri.
"Time was running out for me to join," said the oldest recruit in Platoon 3090. "I wanted to become a military lawyer."
Uhl said becoming a military lawyer is his ultimate goal.
He is a reservist and is awaiting acceptance to Officer Candidate School.
"I enlisted in the reserves to have a different job," said Uhl. "I wanted to learn everything from the ground up, so when I am old and gray I will be able to look back on my experiences.
"I am proud of what I've done," he added. "It is the most worthwhile thing I've done in my life."
Uhl said the Marine Corps has helped him fill a void in his life.
"He seems more mature, even though that may sound odd for a 31-year-old," said Geri.
"It is great to be a part of such a proud institution," said Uhl. "At the end of training, it is great to look back at all the challenges you've overcome."
Uhl said he came here feeling like he was in a movie and was just waiting to see what would unfold. He quickly became amazed how the days piled up and how recruit training seemed to fly by.
Uhl has traveled many roads and has experienced a variety of the fruits life may offer, fruits which many men will never taste or even smell. The next curve on his winding road of career choices is the path that leads to OCS, and with more hard work and determination he may soon fulfill his goal of becoming a military lawyer.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003711141244/$file/Rec_PFC_Uhl_lr.jpg
PFC Louis C. Uhl, Platoon 3090, Company I, cleans the lower receiver of his rifle with a cotton swab after his platoon competed in the final drill competition.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jess Levens
The Drifter
:marine: