|
 CAMP
LEJEUNE, N.C. - Looking for a purpose in life comes with more
responsibility and initiative. That's what Pfc. Cory Stevens did.
Instead of going to Penn State with a full-ride scholarship for
academics and swimming, he decided the Marine Corps would provide
the best foundation for someone like himself.
Stevens, a
rifleman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and
native of Buffalo, New York, did not have it easy growing up.
Shuffling from one household to the next to avoid being mistreated
and overseeing the well-being of his sisters was not easy.
“I lived with my aunt until I was 12,” said Stevens. “I was adopted
into my new family and stayed with them until I was 16. I received a
full-ride scholarship to Penn State; however I felt that the Marine
Corps was the right choice.”
Stevens knew the Marine Corps
offered him a stronghold, and life lessons he can use the rest of
his life.
Being a strong swimmer, Stevens' plans include
becoming a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS) as well
as starting general education college courses in the near future.
“I wanted to show my sisters that they could achieve
whatever they set their minds to,” said Stevens. “I want to be a
good role model for them.”
Stevens' dad was in the Army while
some of his friends joined other branches. It was when Stevens was a
(then) freshman and a friend of his, a senior in high school, led
Stevens to follow his pursuit to become a United States Marine.
“I got through boot camp. The physical aspect wasn't a surprise
for me since I'd already been swimming a lot,” said Stevens. “It was
the mental aspect that got to me; taking charge of others' mistakes
and playing mind games. I knew how to take care of myself. It was a
big change taking responsibility for everyone else around me.”
The Infantry Training Battalion School of Infantry-East yielded
its own challenges to conquer. It was up to the individual Marine to
create a schedule that worked. Time in the classroom was spent
getting familiarized on different weapons systems that included the
M249 SAW, M16A4 service rifle, and the M203 Grenade Launcher.
“I really do see a difference in myself from before I joined and
now,” said Stevens. “At first, I couldn't look into someone's eyes
when I spoke with them. Then there's the motivation and initiative,
and doing things I need to do when I'm supposed to.”
Stevens
is gearing up for an upcoming Marine Expeditionary Unit deploying in
over a year, that is his focus from here on out.
Article and photo by U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Immanuel Johnson
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
The U.S. Marines
|
Comment on this article |
