Photo By Sgt. Sarah Fiocco | “Sea Wolf” is a human-powered submarine that was designed by Pfc. Garrett...... read more read more
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PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Before his trip to the yellow footprints of Parris Island, one of today’s graduates designed a human-powered submarine for his high school.
Pfc. Garrett Mastantuono, with Platoon 3081, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, took on the project in his hometown of Springhill, Fla. It took time, dedication and intelligence, not unlike his latest accomplishment of becoming a Marine.
“He and a group of kids worked on it for months and it turned out to be pretty successful,” said Cindy Mastantuono, Garrett’s mother. “They would work on it after school and on weekends – they put a lot into it.”
As a high school student, the Marine designed the one-man submarine, called “Sea Wolf,” after the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit.
Sea Wolf boasts two wings on the sides of the body and a cabin large enough to fit one person on a bicycle that powers the craft.
Mastantuono said the diligence and dedication it took to build Sea Wolf benefited him in recruit training.
“It’s been a long, strange trip,” said the new Marine, setting out to become an electronics maintenance technician for the Corps. “Completing the project took determination and willpower which helped prepare me for boot camp.”
Determination has always been one of his greatest assets, said Cindy Mastantuono.
“Whenever Garrett has set his mind to something he stays determined to do it,” she explained about her son. “He’s a good kid and I’m very proud.”
Garrett Mastantuono experienced hardships in the delayed entry program because he suffered a broken femur from a car accident.
“The recovery process was grueling,” Mastantuono said during the first day of the Crucible. “After a while I got worried I wouldn’t be able to go into the service.”
The injury hindered him from military service for about two years, but he persevered through the long recovery to realize his dream of serving. He always wanted to be in the military, but was especially inspired by the attacks on 9/11.
“It wasn’t to get revenge – just to make sure nothing like that happened again,” Garrett said.
The young Marine plans to make a full career in the Corps with the love and support of his friends and family.
“I believe he would be nothing less than exceptional,” said Brittany Mastantuono, Garrett’s older sister. “With his dedication, commitment and passion I believe he would serve our country to the highest of standards. I couldn’t be prouder of my baby brother.”
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2011 14:24 |
| Story ID: | 78776 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, From submarine to full Marine, by LCpl Javarre Glanton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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