MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Linard Addison Jr. was only 12 when his father passed away. Left with memories and impressions, the private first class said, “He told me I should strive to be the best, and that’s why I joined the Marine Corps.”
Addison, a Marion, S.C., native, is an administrative specialist assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He joined the Marine Corps after deciding it was an opportunity to be the best and fulfill the goal his father had instilled in him at a young age.
“I knew I wanted to join, even when I was little,” said Addison. “My dad was in the Army, so for a while that’s what I thought I wanted to do, but when I got into high school, I realized that the Marine Corps was the best.”
Signing up to be an administrative specialist, Addison said he didn’t mind much what his occupation was, but he knew that he absolutely wanted to be a Marine.
“I was real close to my dad, and I wanted to make my family proud,” said Addison.
Addison said his mom was excited when he told her he was joining the Marine Corps. His siblings, four brothers and two sisters, were happy as well.
“I’m the middle child,” said Addison. “I want to set the example for my younger siblings.”
Addison said his younger sister recently turned 18 and would like to be a Marine like her brother after she finishes college.
“I want to set the example by coming in and working hard, doing my best, and improving myself every day,” said Addison.
He is one of the youngest and most junior Marines in the MEU, but his responsibilities and expectations are the same as every other Marine in his section.
Sgt. Michael K. Burns, an administrative specialist assigned to the 26th MEU and the noncommissioned officer in charge of Addison, said, “He works hard, he seeks to learn more, and he’s improving quickly.”
As a Marine recently out of military occupational school, Addison is still in the process of learning all the facets of his profession. Burns said he is doing well and is a squared away Marine.
“You can tell he’s hungry to learn more,” said Burns. “He’s always focused on the task at hand and knows what he has to do to get it done.”
Addison said he wants to learn all he can in the Marine Corps and implement it into his life.
“Four years from now I see Addison as a sergeant,” said Burns. “I think he’s passionate about his job.” Burns added that he can also imagine Addison as a drill instructor making the next generation of Marines.
Less than a year into his first enlistment, Addison said he isn’t certain whether he will reenlist, but plans to make the best of it while he’s still in.
“I’m just thankful for what I have and where I am,” said Addison. “I’m thankful to God – my family – and I have hope for the future and what it may have in store for me.”