From marching band to marching cadence: Former band director earns EGA

Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Matthew Soukup enlisted in the Marine Corps after working as a high school band director for four years.  

PARRIS ISLAND, SC, UNITED STATES

10.06.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Francisco Abundes 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island           

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- At the age of 27, Pfc. Matthew Soukup of Platoon 1073, Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, came to Parris Island a little older than the average recruit.

But the former Mandeville High School, La. band director graduates recruit training today with a future ahead of him in the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.

“The platoon looked up to him as a mentor because he’s been around for a while,” said Sgt. Joseph C. Wyatt, senior drill instructor for Plt. 1073. “He’s an outstanding recruit and will make a good Marine.”

Before deciding to enlist in the Corps, Soukup earned his bachelor’s degree in music education and taught at a high school for four years.

“I’ve always wanted to be a Marine and I was running out of time,” Soukup said.

He decided to enlist to play in “The Commandant’s Own,” but to make sure he passed the audition, he devoted more of his free time to practicing his trumpet.

“It was a change getting back to practicing several hours a day, especially on top of teaching,” he said.

After passing the audition, it was time for him to leave his job and family. Although his students had a heavy heart seeing their teacher leave, they were proud of his choice.

“It took a lot of them by surprise when I told them I was leaving, but when I told them I was joining the Marine Corps, they cheered,” Soukup said. “A lot of them cried and a lot of them came up to me, shook my hand and said ‘thank you.’”

Once in training, Soukup earned the spot of scribe for his platoon, a position within the platoon that gave him the responsibility of handling simple administrative duties assigned to him by his drill instructors.

“I definitely learned from their example,” he said. “Drill Instructor Sgt. Hayes was a big influence in being able to switch back and forth from being the disciplinarian to the instructor and the mentor and the teacher. That’s something that I admire – especially coming from a teaching background.”

Unlike some older recruits, Soukup said his pride was no issue in training. He did not mind having to take orders from Marines younger than him.

“I look up to them whether they’re younger than me or older than me. For most people it would have been a problem; for me, the time in service is what made a difference,” Soukup said. “If they have more experience than me doing this, then that’s what I respected.”

Still, Soukup was challenged by other typical recruit issues.
“The hardest part of boot camp was being away from family,” he said. “Even though I moved out of the house for eight or 10 years, I always remained close.”

His father Sam Soukup, a veteran Marine who fought in the Vietnam War, surprised his son at the Eagle, Globe and Anchor ceremony, as if responding to the needs of his son. The father presented his son with his own EGA, circa 1969, and also his private first class chevrons.

“Words can’t describe it,” the veteran Marine said as he described the moment he presented his son with his own Marine Corps uniform items. He said he was surprised when he was given permission by the battalion sergeant major.

From here, Soukup will head to Marine Combat Training. Exempt from music school, he will then continue to Marine Barracks Washington “8th and I.”

“From the time Matt was in the sixth grade, he wanted to play music for the Marine Corps,” Soukup’s father said. “ … and he’s fulfilling his dream.”

• Date Taken: 10.06.2011
• Date Posted: 10.06.2011 12:58
• Story ID: 78118
• Location: PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US