Photo By Cpl. Angel Serna | “I prepared myself my whole life for this,” said Lance Cpl. Joshua Santos, a field...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Each day as the sun broke the horizon during Exercise Steel Knight 15 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, artillery fire changed the ambiance of the desert. Marines with 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment conducted organic fire support for maneuvering units throughout the exercise.
Lance Cpl. Joshua Santos, a field artillery cannoneer with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, said he enjoys his job because its demands for him to pay attention to detail and it requires him to remember an endless amount of knowledge.
Before the Marine Corps, Santos lived in Dededo, Guam, up to his early adulthood. Santos said after high school, he was in the delayed entry program for almost a year, anxious to progress his life and career in the Military. Santos left for recruit training in March 2014.
His decision to join was inspired by the previous generations in his family that joined other U.S. military branches of service, Santos said. He was determined to be the first of his family to join the Marine Corps.
“I picked field artillery as my [Military Occupational Specialty] when I joined,” said Santos. “I was glad that I got what I wanted from the beginning because the spots for artillery were always disappearing.”
After graduating recruit training and MOS school, Santos said he moved on to the operational forces, which gave him the opportunity to see different parts the Marine Corps and to finally know what it was like to aid in shooting artillery rounds during exercises.
“What I enjoy most about my job is just getting to go out to the field and take in the beauty of the nature surrounding me,” said Santos. “I love to be outdoors. I like getting to sight-see and to watch my work go down-range every time the lanyard is pulled.”
After realizing how much he enjoyed his job, Santos said that one of his best decisions was joining the Marine Corps.
“I prepared myself my whole life for this,” said Santos. “It seems like the best choice that I made by far because; I can continue to set myself to a higher standard which helps me achieve my goals.”
Santos added that he was glad he enlisted in the Marine Corps because it helped him stay true to his determination to better himself.
“Santos is going to go places,” said Lance Cpl. Corey Osborne, a field artillery cannoneer with the battery. “He has willpower and a good head on his shoulders. He’s sharp, determined, and he keeps himself motivated.”
Despite the fact Santos is exceptional as a Marine, he said he plans on leaving the Marine Corps to go to college and pursue a career.
“I want to go home to attend college and do something that I really want to do,” said Santos. “It doesn’t mean that I’m just giving up on the Marine Corps, I just want to have a different job and maybe find another way to help.”
Santos said that after graduating college he wants to have a job as a computer engineer, a landscaper or a chef and maybe all three if it’s possible.
Even though Santos is still thinking of what he truly wants to do with his career, he knows his determination will help him get there.
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2014 01:28 |
| Story ID: | 150867 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | DEDEDO, GU |
| Web Views: | 526 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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