Eight second ride: Texas Marine brings passion to Corps

Photo By Sgt. Jeff Drew | Van Alstyne, Texas, native Lance Cpl. John A. Scarbro, a motor transport operator with Charlie Battery 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, has had a passion for bull riding since age six. Scarbro brought the same dedication he displayed in the rodeo to his service in the Marine Corps. He is now on his first deployment.  

FIRE BASE FIDDLERS GREEN, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.06.2011

Story by Cpl. Jeff Drew 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

FIRE BASE FIDDLERS GREEN, Helmand province, Afghanistan – At 6 years old he rode a small steer for the first time. At age 12 he rode his first full-sized bull. For Lance Cpl. John Scarbro bull riding is more than just a hobby, it's a passion.

Scarbro grew up in the small town of Van Alstyne, Texas, with a population of approximately 1,200 residents; he was accustomed to knowing everyone. Farms dotted the landscape, and he spent countless hours of his youth mending fences and bailing hay. He played baseball and football throughout his time at Alstyne High School, but these activities always came second to a day at the rodeo. He graduated in 2008 and his career was in full swing riding for the United Professional Rodeo Association. He never thought that only a few years later, he would be deployed to Afghanistan as a motor transport operator in the Marine Corps.

The objective of his passion is to ride the bull for eight seconds, spurring as much as possible to gain points, according to Scarbro. There are four judges: two in charge of judging the riders on their ability and two judging the bulls on how they buck.

Scarbro said bull riding is an intense adrenaline rush, but it is also dangerous. It requires courage, flexibility and dexterity to face down a 2,000 pound bull. Throughout his riding career he has dislocated his left shoulder 13 times and his right 16 times. It was one such ride that put a long-term hold on his riding career.

“I got trampled pretty badly,” said Scarbro. “I broke my collar bone, two ribs and ankle – it took about six months to rehabilitate.”

Scarbro's passion for the sport wouldn't allow him much recovery time, and before he was fully healed, he was back on the bulls.
“It's all about your heart and dedication to the sport,” said Scarbro. “No matter what pain you're in, it doesn't matter because that's your job.”

Scarbro’s ambition for the sport led to nearly permanent injuries, so he opted to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where his positive mental attitude, dedication and passion could set the example.

Scarbro is currently deployed as a motor transport operator with 1st battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. He has participated in 128 convoys in five months to resupply 1/12 with necessary supplies and mail and continues to work diligently to become more proficient traversing the demanding Afghan terrain. His best friend of three years, whom he met at his occupational specialty school to become a motor transport operator, works side-by-side with Scarbro, and they keep one another motivated.

“Working with (Scarbro) is always exciting and fun,” said Jackson, Ohio, native Lance Cpl. Jeremy Moore. “He always has something to say; he’s a hard worker and is really easy to get along with.”
Scarbro’s first deployment is drawing to a close, and as he looks into the future, he is split in his decision to re-enlist. The Marine Corps has offered him rich experiences and friendships he never would have had. However, he dreams of one day returning to Texas where his family can blossom and he can raise children on a farm he hopes to own one day. No matter what his decision, Scarbro said riding will always remain his passion – it’s in his blood.

“Bull riding and the Marine Corps are different in some ways and similar in others,” Scarbro explained. “Out here you have Marines telling you what to do; being a bull rider you’re on your own – you either make it or you don’t. However, it takes a lot of heart and dedication to be out here doing what we’re doing, just like staying on a bull.”

Editor’s note: First Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, is currently assigned to 2nd Marine Divi-sion (Forward), which heads Task Force Leatherneck. The task force serves as the ground combat ele-ment of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Force and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency opera-tions. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces, and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the ex-pansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.

• Date Taken: 10.06.2011
• Date Posted: 10.06.2011 12:07
• Story ID: 78110
• Location: FIRE BASE FIDDLERS GREEN, HELMAND PROVINCE, AF