Stories

U.S. Marine Pfc. Ana DominguezValazquez, with Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Obrea, California on Feb. 15, 2022. DominguezValazguez broke and fractured her hips in recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. She spent a total of eleven months at Parris Island before being able to graduate as a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - U.S. Marine Pfc. Ana DominguezValazquez, with Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Obrea, California on Feb. 15, 2022. DominguezValazguez broke and fractured her hips in recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. She spent a total of eleven months at Parris Island before being able to graduate as a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

QUITTING WAS NEVER AN OPTION: FEMALE MARINE GRADUATES AFTER 11 MONTHS AT PARRIS ISLAND

Pfc. Ana DominguezValazquez, a Marine from Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, shipped to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Mar. 15, 2021. She entered recruit training prepared and resilient at the beginning of June 2021, but after obtaining a serious injury, had to quickly adapt her plan. One month into recruit training, DominguezValazquez started having pain in her hips. The Navy doctors informed her she had broken her hip during training.

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Timothy A. Bodenhamer, a future Marine with Recruiting Sub-Station Costa Mesa, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Costa Mesa, California on Dec. 10, 2021. Staff Sgt. Aaron Cerulle, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Costa Mesa, Recruiting Station Orange County, exclaims Bodenhamer is one of the most motivated future Marines within the Delayed Entry Program, and is driven towards being a part of a new founded family tradition by following in his brother's footsteps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - Timothy A. Bodenhamer, a future Marine with Recruiting Sub-Station Costa Mesa, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Costa Mesa, California on Dec. 10, 2021. Staff Sgt. Aaron Cerulle, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Costa Mesa, Recruiting Station Orange County, exclaims Bodenhamer is one of the most motivated future Marines within the Delayed Entry Program, and is driven towards being a part of a new founded family tradition by following in his brother's footsteps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

MOTIVATION AND TRADITION DRIVES FUTURE MARINES

Timothy Bodenhamer knew at a young age that he wanted to join the United States Marine Corps. When Bodenhamer was a sophomore in high school, his older brother, Torsten, a senior at the time, decided he wanted to become a Marine. When Torsten became a part of the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), a program that prepares future Marines for the rigors of recruit training, he was inspired. His older brother went to recruit training in October of 2019, and went on to become a communications Marine. Through the past few years, Bodenhamer has stayed in contact with his older brother, who is currently stationed in Lejune, North Carolina, and was consistently being mentored by him to consider the Marine Corps.

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Miguel Santos, a future Marine with Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, decided back in January of 2021 that he wanted to make a change in his life. Since January, Santos has lost over 50 pounds and has been working hard throughout the year in order to lose weight and be in better shape for recruit training. Santos will be heading to Marine Corps Recruit Depot in January, where all of his hard work and dedication will be showcased during training. - Miguel Santos, a future Marine with Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, decided back in January of 2021 that he wanted to make a change in his life. Since January, Santos has lost over 50 pounds and has been working hard throughout the year in order to lose weight and be in better shape for recruit training. Santos will be heading to Marine Corps Recruit Depot in January, where all of his hard work and dedication will be showcased during training.

Grit, Determination and Dedication: Young Man’s Journey Preparing for the Marine Corps

Miguel Santos, a 20 year old Anaheim native started his journey preparing for the Marine Corps in January of 2021. His close friend Nicholas Porter, a future Marine with Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, was attending physical training as a guest when he invited Santos to come along with him one Thursday afternoon.

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U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Anthony Sandoval, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Mission Viejo, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo with Peyton Forman, a local teenager with autism, in Mission Viejo, California on August 4, 2021. Sandoval wanted to personally meet with Peyton to get to know him and present him with a Marine Corps shirt. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Anthony Sandoval, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Mission Viejo, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo with Peyton Forman, a local teenager with autism, in Mission Viejo, California on August 4, 2021. Sandoval wanted to personally meet with Peyton to get to know him and present him with a Marine Corps shirt. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

I Do It For The Community

A Marine Corps recruiter encounters many people throughout their time on this duty. A lot of the time we only hear about the success stories of future Marines, or about the vast amount of opportunities available for those who decide the Marine Corps might be for them. However we do not hear a lot about the individuals who are not able to take on the challenge of becoming a Marine.

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U.S. Marines at Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, pose for a photo with future Marine Luis Solano in Fullerton, California, on April 15, 2021. Marines at RSS Fullerton came together in order to assist Solano’s family with assistance in fixing their van, and providing him with a cell phone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - U.S. Marines at Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, pose for a photo with future Marine Luis Solano in Fullerton, California, on April 15, 2021. Marines at RSS Fullerton came together in order to assist Solano’s family with assistance in fixing their van, and providing him with a cell phone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

It's What Marines Do

Maria Sanchez and Jesus Solano, the mother and father of future Marine Luis Solano, immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the early 2000s. They had their first son Luis in September of 2003 which was one of their main reasons for staying in California. From there, they added two little girls and three younger boys. Growing up as the oldest, Solano had the responsibility to help take care of his siblings and assist in providing for them. Maria and Jesus instilled in Solano that everything he gets from life is earned, never given.

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Major Gordon Emmanuel, the commanding officer for Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Santa Ana, California on Feb. 21, 2021. Maj. Emmanuel discussed his life story and how he got to where he is today as a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - Major Gordon Emmanuel, the commanding officer for Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Santa Ana, California on Feb. 21, 2021. Maj. Emmanuel discussed his life story and how he got to where he is today as a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

Giving Life Everything He Has: U.S. Marine Corps Major Emmanuel tells his story

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gordon Emmanuel did not come into this world with the brightest path, or under the most positive circumstances. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York as the son to two Haitian immigrants. The environment he was born into was relatively rough and was not the best conditions for a child. Gordon’s household could be described as tumultuous, and a place where he felt as if he was facing adversity inside as well as outside.

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Future Marine Christian Ponce, a poolee with Recruiting Sub-Station Santa Ana, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Santa Ana, California on Feb. 12, 2021. Ponce received a meritorious promotion to private first class for providing two referrals to his recruiter. Referrals are necessary to identify qualified applicants for potential service in the Marine Corps. As a future Marine, their first mission is to identify potential leads for their Recruiter in order to continue filling the ranks with our Nation's best and brightest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - Future Marine Christian Ponce, a poolee with Recruiting Sub-Station Santa Ana, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Santa Ana, California on Feb. 12, 2021. Ponce received a meritorious promotion to private first class for providing two referrals to his recruiter. Referrals are necessary to identify qualified applicants for potential service in the Marine Corps. As a future Marine, their first mission is to identify potential leads for their Recruiter in order to continue filling the ranks with our Nation's best and brightest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

One Step Ahead: Future Marine Receives Meritorious Promotion

The Delayed Entry Program is one of the most useful programs the Marine Corps has to prepare future Marines. It provides a vast amount of time for poolees, or prospective Marine recruits, to develop themselves for the rigors of Marine Corps recruit training, and provides the opportunity for them to get ahead of their peers before they’re even Marines.

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Photo of retired colonel - U.S. Marines with the Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County stand behind retired U.S. Marine Col. Tim Anderson for the Cake Cutting Ceremony in Yorba Linda, California on Nov. 10, 2020. Marines, Marine veterans, and local law enforcement came together in order to surprise retired Col. Anderson with a Marine Corps birthday celebration. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

Recruiting Station Orange County Honors Marine Veteran’s Last Marine Corps Birthday

Four years ago retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Tim Anderson was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Earlier this year he was given the heartbreaking news that his diagnosis had transitioned into the late stages of Lou Gherig’s disease. Colleen Anderson, Tim’s beloved wife of forty-one years, didn’t know if her husband would be able to celebrate and experience another Marine Corps birthday.

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U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Ruben Lopez, a recruiter with Marine Corps Recruiting Sub-Station Orange, assists in collecting toys for the Winter Toy Drive 2020 in Anaheim, California on Dec. 6, 2020. Marines with Recruiting Station Orange County volunteered to assist California Love Drop and Purist with their annual toy drive to help local kids in need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Ruben Lopez, a recruiter with Marine Corps Recruiting Sub-Station Orange, assists in collecting toys for the Winter Toy Drive 2020 in Anaheim, California on Dec. 6, 2020. Marines with Recruiting Station Orange County volunteered to assist California Love Drop and Purist with their annual toy drive to help local kids in need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

Be A Part Of The Impact: RS Orange County Assist in local Toy Drive

The thing about the Marine Corps is that Marines are constantly moving from one duty station to the next. Their time in one location is not long, but the impact they can make is lifelong. Marine Corps Recruiting Station Orange County was given the opportunity to help our local communities' effort in their annual Winter Toy Drive 2020. Purist, a unique collection of good people who share common passion in cars, motorcycles and the finer things in life, along with California Love Drop, an organization made up of local organizations and businesses trying to make a difference, co-hosted Purist’s eighth annual Winter Toy Drive.

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QUITTING WAS NEVER AN OPTION: FEMALE MARINE GRADUATES AFTER 11 MONTHS AT PARRIS ISLAND

MOTIVATION AND TRADITION DRIVES FUTURE MARINES

Grit, Determination and Dedication: Young Man’s Journey Preparing for the Marine Corps

I Do It For The Community

It's What Marines Do

Giving Life Everything He Has: U.S. Marine Corps Major Emmanuel tells his story

One Step Ahead: Future Marine Receives Meritorious Promotion

Recruiting Station Orange County Honors Marine Veteran’s Last Marine Corps Birthday

Be A Part Of The Impact: RS Orange County Assist in local Toy Drive