Photo By Staff Sgt. Lucas Vega | Ayden J. LeJeune, whose great-great-great uncle is the former 13th Commandant of the...... read more read more
NORMAN, Okla. - Ayden J. Lejeune, whose great-great-great uncle is the former 13th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Lt. Gen. John A. Lejeune, leaves to Marine Corps Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Nov. 3.
The 19 year-old Norman High School graduate enlisted in the delayed entry program on March 19, 2014, as an ordnance technician. Lejeune first spoke with a Marine recruiter in the summer of 2013.
"It's something I've always wanted to do since I was real young," said Lejeune, whose brother is a Navy corpsmen.
Since enlisting in the Marine Corps, Lejeune has been consistently attending pool-functions, a requirement of Marine hopefuls, who are slated to ship to recruit training. The pool functions are designed to help Marine enlistees, poolees, prepare for the physical and mental rigors of Marine Corps Recruit Training.
"I've been really trying to stay healthy and consistent," said the Norman, Oklahoma, native.
Sgt. Dallas Allen, Lejeune's recruiter from Recruiting Substation Oklahoma City South, Recruiting Station Oklahoma City, knew he was above average the moment he began closely working with him.
"We had mandatory physical training every Thursday for our poolees," said Allen. "Lejeune would come in not only on Thursday, but on our optional PT days too, to improve himself."
In result, Allen began to notice the increase in his physical fitness performance.
"When he first came in, he was doing six to eight pull ups," said Allen. "Now he is doing 18."
The Marine Corps has always been a part of LeJeune's life, even greater than his bloodline to the former 13th Commandant.
"The Marine Corps means everything to me," said LeJeune. "My last name isn't common, it's unique and obviously it's important, but at the end of the day, Marines are the best and I want to be a part of that."
| Date Taken: | 11.03.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2014 14:50 |
| Story ID: | 146865 |
| Location: | NORMAN, OK, US |
| Hometown: | NORMAN, OK, US |
| Web Views: | 205 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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