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MONTGOMERY, Ala. - By age 10, many girls are in school talking with friends over the summer’s latest fashion trends or the cutest boy in school. For Jessica Castleberry that was not the case. She spent her time hand-washing clothes and tending to the family garden planting fruit and vegetables so she and her nine siblings would have something to eat.
Life in the port city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, was rough for her.
Despite living in Ecuador’s most populous city, the wood and bamboo house she and her family built by hand was the best they had to call home. Her father worked most of the day bringing home just enough for them to scrape by in their poor community. Her mother left for the United States when Jessica was only three years old. Occasionally, she sent money home to help the family survive.
At 14, Jessica came to America to stay with her mother. She was in a foreign place surrounded by fast food chains, computers, televisions and video games; things she had never seen growing up in her impoverished community in Ecuador. The English language was alien to her ears and sounded nothing like the Spanish she grew up speaking at home.
More than 10 years have passed since that young girl arrived in America. Jessica is now a Marine staff sergeant and Recruiting Station Montgomery recruiter. She is using her childhood experiences to influence and teach junior Marines and those wanting to earn the title Marine in Pensacola, Fla.
“I believe I have influenced a lot of different Marines, especially the ones that don’t value what they have now,” said Castleberry. “I tell them my story. How it’s harder for people in other cultures.”
Castleberry’s upbringing has helped her bring a unique perspective to the Corps that helps her be a better leader. As a staff noncommissioned officer, Castleberry has had her fair share of junior Marines under her – all from different walks of life. It is only because of her background that she is able to reach them in such an impactful way.
“Some young Marines get depressed over simple things,” Castleberry said. “I try to motivate them by letting them see the other side.”
Castleberry’s background has also helped her in her current role as a Marine recruiter.
“Staff Sgt. Castleberry is a hardworking and dedicated Marine,” said Staff Sgt. Enoch Thorne, the Marine in charge of Recruiting Substation Pensacola.
“She is willing to mentor and work with poolees and young Marines. She uses her ability to bridge and relate to different cultures and backgrounds.”
Castleberry said the Marine Corps has also given her something.
“The best part of joining the Marine Corps is the family I have now and the person I am now,” Castleberry explained. “I feel the Marine Corps has taught me so much – the core values we uphold, a sense of direction, a path to success.”
Castleberry said she feels she owes a lot to the Corps that she is now working hard to pay back.
“If I hadn’t joined the Marines, I probably wouldn’t be as successful as I feel I am” Castleberry said. “I don’t know what I would be doing.”
| Date Taken: | 10.02.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2014 15:16 |
| Story ID: | 144771 |
| Location: | MONTGOMERY, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Paying It Forward, by MSgt Jon Holmes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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