Engineer: It's never too late for new beginnings

Photo By Cpl. Robert Medina | Lance Cpl. Loranzo A. Lucero, a combat engineer with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, cuts an angle in a two-by-four with a skill saw. Lucero, 29, was raised in Torreon, N.M., and has had previous experience as a civilian in the construction world. He brings his construction knowledge to the Corps and his skills to accomplish missions that his unit gets tasked with. Lucero recently earned the Marine of the Quarter award for his unit. "When I received Marine of the Quarter it was worth all the hard work I put into my job," said Lucero. "It made me proud to tell my family my accomplishments."  

FALLUJAH, IRAQ

03.31.2008

Story by Cpl. Robert Medina 

1st Marine Logistics Group

By Lance Cpl. Robert Medina
1st Marine Logistic Group Public Affairs

FALLUJAH, Iraq – The sound of a chop saw blaring throughout the construction site and the hammering of nails into lumber which will eventually take the form of something useful ... it's all in a day's work for 29-year-old Lance Cpl. Loranzo A. Lucero.

Lucero, raised in Torreon, N.M., is currently deployed to Iraq as a combat engineer with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment.

The line of work is nothing new – Lucero had previous construction experience as a civilian. Now he brings his knowledge and skills to the Corps, putting them to use in support of Iraqi and coalition forces.

"I was in a carpenters' apprentice program for two years and carpenters' labor union for another two," said Lucero.

Seeing different parts of the world and experiencing the military life is why Lucero said he joined the Marine Corps.

"The adjustment was hard for me at first," said Lucero. "I went from being a manager and telling people what to do, to taking orders from Marines a lot younger than I am."

But he said his enlisted service has made him a better man, and those appointed over him are starting to take notice. Lucero recently earned the Marine of the Quarter award for his unit, a testament to the determination he has to excel as both a Marine and combat engineer.

"When I received Marine of the Quarter, it was worth all the hard work I put into my job," said Lucero. "It made me proud to tell my family my accomplishments."

Lucero also said it was a good feeling to know he was noticed and respected by his peers.

"All the experience that I have had in my previous job has helped me be able to share my knowledge with the Marines I work with," said Lucero. "It helps me get the mission done the right way and in a timely manner."

Sgt. Jake D. Bonite, 3rd Squad leader, 1st Platoon, is impressed with his Marine's performance.

"He knew a lot about construction before he joined the Marine Corps," said Bonite, 27, from Chicago. "He knows how to manage his time very well to get the job completed," adding that Lucero does what it takes to accomplish a task before being told.

"He has been doing this for a long time, so he can almost teach us how to do some things," said Sgt. Sean C. Jakens, guide for 1st Platoon, Alpha Company. "We try to learn from his experience."

Jakens said Lucero would volunteer for everything no matter what it was.

"If there were a job that I needed to get finished, he would be the one I would want on that project," said Jakens, from Oceanside, Calif. "I know the job would get done the right way."

Lucero said he's proud to be able to build things for other service members to make their lives a little easier.

"I look forward to future missions where I will be able to leave my mark in Iraq," said Lucero.

• Date Taken: 03.31.2008
• Date Posted: 04.10.2008 04:49
• Story ID: 18263
• Location: FALLUJAH, IQ