"I just wanted to do something bigger than myself," he said. "I wanted to prove that I could do it. When I called the recruiter, he told me I was disqualified and it just kind of … I don't really know. I just knew I had to do this."
Posted on 01/12/2014 4:56:26 AM PST by Islander7
Almost two years ago, Nunez decided he wanted to "be one of the best," so he picked up the phone and called his local U.S. Marine Corps recruitment office. After checking off various requirements, the recruiter asked Nunez about his weight.
The 18-year-old gulped. Always a heavy kid, Nunez crushed the scales at 338 pounds.
The recruiter told him he should probably consider a different career path.
(Excerpt) Read more at sunherald.com ...
"I just wanted to do something bigger than myself," he said. "I wanted to prove that I could do it. When I called the recruiter, he told me I was disqualified and it just kind of … I don't really know. I just knew I had to do this."
God bless and keep him.
I read his story at the link.
He’ll make a mighty fine US Marine.
According to the article, the recruiter said, “If you really want this, you are going to have to work really, really hard...”
Wow. He was told of the challenge, faced it and succeeded. Good for him! I don’t even know him and I am so proud of him. You hear of so many stories about people not wanting to put in the time (sweat, blood and tears) to obtain something. This is just such a feel good story on so many levels. Thank you, Islander7!
My son starts tomorrow also.
America was made great by men like him.
I have a grandson finishing up recruit training at Parris
Island Jan 24th. Have been told I have to be there 23rd
for doings. I haven’t been there since 1955 for a 4 day
visit. No one ever made any of my finishing ups in military
doings, different world to day.
Good for him! God speed young man!
Hispanics make good troops. I’ve seen it. They buy into the structure.
BTTT
Go get ‘em, MARINE!
The military has long worked with a false axiom, that “every soldier should be an infantryman.” But the truth is that as military occupations become increasingly difficult, using physicality as a discriminator can eventually become self defeating.
In the future, the military will need to recognize that they need top notch personnel for *all* their abilities, not just their physical ones, and that they must be willing to sacrifice one unneeded ability for a much needed one.
Many years ago, at the inception of the Army’s “fat man program”, I saw a superb example of this.
A senior supply sergeant, who was quite obese, but a brilliant logistician who had figured out the Army’s still primitive computer supply system, was summoned to a major post by a Lieutenant General who knew him, who had an enormous planned exercise and hopelessly confused logistics.
It took this sergeant several very intense 24-hour days, with the effective authority of a Colonel, to get the logistics straightened out just in time for the exercise, which was then a smashing success.
The General then rewarded him with a glowing commendation, and was not shy that without his efforts, that exercise would have been a disaster, resulting in unfed soldiers without arms or ammunition or even tents and sleeping bags, no fuel or even fresh water.
The Sergeant was then dismissed from the military for being overweight.
I remember sarcasm at the time that the next Pentagon initiative was going to be the “ugly man” program, to eliminate all personnel who were not handsome, on the theory that soldiers that are not pretty cannot be good soldiers.
stray thought:
I bet he can do 3 pull-ups...
I get your larger point, but I have to take exception to your opening statement where you said...
“The military has long worked with a false axiom, that “every soldier should be an infantryman.”
AFAIK, only the Marines make that statement AND make some effort in basic training toward achieving that aim.
I would also caution that the fighting in Iraq & Afghanistan proves what the Marines have said is true... even supply companies can get caught in a fire-fight (Jessica Lynch?) and every soldier, sailor or airman had better know how to employ their personal weapon and follow some basic set of tactics.
Wnen I was in highschool, in the 1970s, I went to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego when a cousin finished up. I don’t remember a ceremony, but do remember meeting him to commemorate his milestone and spending time talking. Maybe they have always done a little something, and it just was really low key.
May God bless your son and keep him from harms way. :)
If we fought in wars with front lines, what you said would be very true. With the reality of recent experiences, what you said doesn’t always hold.
The Air Force still has positions that will always be in the rear but the Army and Marines have in recent times found their rear elements trading fire with the enemy.
Awesome!
I will say also in his defense, I grew up in Pascagoula and when I go home to visit, I’m shocked I didn’t weigh 300 pounds myself! YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM Cajun YUM!!!!
Thank you.
GOD bless him... or continue to because he experienced a true Blessing!
I think Minnesota Fats (poolplayer) was from Pascagoula. Must be some good chow down there.
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