Photo By Lance Cpl. Francisco Abundes | After attending a workshop that introduces educators from around the country to...... read more read more
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PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - A former teacher graduates recruit training today with Platoon 4009, Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, after being inspired to enlist by a recent trip to the depot.
Pfc. Megan Moerman, a 28-year-old from Richmond, Va., was a high school teacher before making the decision to go after the title few ever earn.
“I always thought that I wanted to be a teacher and was pushed by my family to make a career in the field,” she said. “But then I started teaching and [it wasn’t for me]. In order to change careers and do something that I wanted to do, I joined the military.”
Moerman made the decision to enlist after attending an educator’s workshop, she said. An educator’s workshop brings teachers to Parris Island and shows them the transformation their students go through from high school student to United States Marine.
Although many people with a college degree would have chosen to commission instead of enlist, the wait to become a Marine officer was longer than to enlist, she said.
“She chose the Marines because they are very professional and wanted to be better than every other branch,” said Joseph Turner, Moerman’s boyfriend of almost four years and a veteran Marine. “She saw what the Marine Corps was like during my time in the Corps. Seeing the friendship and esprit de corps that we have toward each other was a huge impact on her.”
Moerman said the physical challenges of the Marine Corps also attracted her.
“I was a lazy person, unorganized and didn’t feel very ‘adult,’” she said. “I needed the discipline. And as a teacher, not having that discipline was not a good thing.”
Moerman said she has learned a lot in recruit training and bettered herself.
“I was a shy person, so if it was a challenge, I wouldn’t necessarily take it on,” she said. “Having the confidence to speak publicly or speak to a drill instructor was pretty hard.”
She said that knowing she has the confidence and the discipline to take on a challenge now shows her she can be a good Marine.
“Some of her family was less than excited for her to join, but they quickly came around when they saw she really wanted to be a Marine,” Turner said. “Her co-workers were very supportive when she announced her decision. They were sad to see a skilled teacher leave the school, but were happy she was going after her dream.”
Moerman hopes her experience in the Marine Corps involves physical challenges and traveling the world. She enlisted to become a combat engineer.
“Moerman is a perfectionist at heart,” Turner said. “She wants to do every job to the best of her ability. Moerman is the kind of person the Marines are looking for.
“I think she will be happy in the Marine Corps,” Turner said. “Marines want to be the best and through their hard work, they are recognized and rightfully promoted above their peers. Finally her full skill set will be recognized, and she will excel.”
| Date Taken: | 03.29.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.29.2012 10:22 |
| Story ID: | 85950 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 351 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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