Uncle, nephew graduate Marines Two family members from a small American town enlist in the Corps looking for adventure

4 Jan 2008 | Lance Cpl. Robert W. Beaver Marine Corps Recruiting Command

Life before boot camp was too simple for two recruits from Platoon 3211, Company I, looking for new experiences in the Marines.

  Growing up in Locust Grove, Okla., a town with fewer than 1,000 residents and only two traffic lights, Pvts. Russell Kelley and James Ingram hunted animals, chased girls and spent time with their large family living in the same town.

  They have been close their whole lives and grew up together like brothers would. However, they were uncle and nephew. Ingram, 19, the uncle, was a year younger than Kelley, 20, his nephew.

  “They were together every day,” said Carla Franklin, Kelley’s mother and Ingram’s sister. “They’ve always been buddies playing games like cowboys and indians.”

  “James, the youngest of 11 children, was an instant uncle when he was born,” said Carla. “It was kind of weird.”

  Year after year was the same for Kelley and Ingram, growing up exploring the local forests and hanging out with friends after school at the local hamburger joint — the only one in town.

  They wanted a change.

  “Nothing really happens (in Locust Grove),” said Kelley. “That is why we joined. We wanted to do something exciting and it was time for us to grow up as men.”

  After graduating from Locust Grove High School, they decided to join the military.

  They enlisted in the Marine Corps through the Buddy Program, which is a special program that allows two or more people signing up to begin recruit training together.

  “I was kind of scared when they decided to join,” said Carla. “But there are not a lot of (job) opportunities around here, so the military seemed like a good place for them.”

  The trip to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego was the first time Ingram had been away from home, but not Kelley.

  “I had to look out for him sometimes,” joked Kelley, who was a squad leader over his uncle.

  Though they came in on the Buddy Program, Ingram and Kelley’s drill instructors did not know they were related, and this silent bond helped motivate the two through the challenges of boot camp.

  “We tried to keep it a secret from our drill instructors so they wouldn’t mess with us for being related,” said Kelley.

  During an inspection in the second phase of boot camp, the senior drill instructor spotted an old picture taped to the inside of Ingram’s footlocker.

  In the picture, Kelley, who was an All-State high school wrestler, had Ingram in a headlock.

  When his senior drill instructor questioned him about the photo, Ingram revealed the details.

  “I would never have known they were uncle and nephew,” said Staff Sgt. John Leard, senior drill instructor, Platoon 3211. “This was definitely one of the weirdest things that happened in the cycle.”

  He said Kelley and Ingram were good recruits and they worked well with their platoon mates.

  Both Marines plan on a career in the Marine Corps.

  Kelley enlisted as an aviation electrical technician and Ingram as a ground equipment vehicle repairman.

  Ingram intends to marry his high school sweetheart during his 10 days of leave after he graduates today, while Kelley plans to get married after he graduates from Marine Combat Training at their next duty station, the School of Infantry, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

  Both Marines look forward to new experiences in the Corps and seperate military occupational schools , but a strong bond as Marines.


Marine Corps Recruiting Command