Waiakea High School graduate, U.S. Marine promoted to corporal in Afghanistan

1st Marine Division
Story by Gunnery Sgt. William Price

Date: 06.02.2010
Posted: 06.02.2010 10:36
News ID: 50711

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Cpl. Jonathon Ellazar, a radio operator with Headquarters Detachment, 1st Marine Division (Forward), has his current rank pinned on during a promotion ceremony here, June 1.

"For me to be promoted to the [non-commissioned officer] ranks at Camp Leatherneck is an outstanding, hard- earned feeling of accomplishment. I volunteered for this deployment, and to be promoted in a combat zone is something only a few can experience," said Ellazar, a 20-year-old native of Hilo, H.I., and 2007 graduate of Waiakea High School

As a deployed radio operator, Ellazar's job contributes to the overall mission by providing communication to all forward deployed units, and assists training for the Afghan National Army.

Ellazar, who graduated boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in February, 2009, offered this advice to anyone wanting to become one of the few, the proud: "Stay motivated and strive to improve yourself. Challenge yourself to improve not only physically, but to keep learning new skills and knowledge pertaining to their Marine Corps career."

Ellazar is scheduled to return to Camp Pendleton, Calif., in January of 2011.