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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — In 1994, Gary Thompson enlisted in the Marine Corps and stepped on the infamous yellow footprints on Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, not knowing just how far he would go.
“I was originally in the delayed entry program for the Air Force, but I had all the desire to be a Marine,” Thompson said. “I figured if I qualified for the Air Force, why not just become a Marine?”
After graduating from recruit training, the Jourdanton, Texas native enlisted as an infantry rifleman and joined 4th Force Reconnaissance Battalion from 1994-1995.
“I had absolutely no intentions of becoming an officer,” Thompson said. “Since I had three and a half years of college behind me, my recruiter thought it was best for me to go that route, so most of my enlistment time was actually me waiting to go into commissioning.”
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 1998 and became a logistics officer after graduating from The Basic School.
In that same year while attending TBS, he met his wife, Suzan, who is also a Marine Corps officer. The two married in 2000. Since then, they have learned how to overcome the challenges of being a dual active Marine Corps couple.
Suzan explained that throughout the years the Marine Corps has been able to keep her and Gary at the same duty station, with the exception of occasional temporary duty away from home.
“We’ve been trying to balance our kids and work,” said Suzan. “I haven’t deployed for a while and he has taken the brunt of everything. With that, I’ve been able to be home for the kids.”
Gary explained the ability to sustain a balanced work and family life is both a tedious as well as rewarding task. Each contains its own set of demands that run parallel within the Thompsons’ life.
“We have two beautiful children, David and Danika, and the ability to spend time with them, being home, being the father, being the husband, and doing this job has been the most difficult problem,” said Gary. “Work is awesome; work is almost a vacation because the real job is at home.”
Gary and Suzan have been a support system for one another throughout the years, encouraging each other in all aspects of life.
“Any time I try to bring home any complaining or whining, she says ‘get a straw.’ I mean, it’s good to be able to go home and get some things off my chest yet I’m not going to get any relief, but I couldn’t ask for anyone one else better to be with,” Gary said. “I honestly appreciate everything my wife has taught me and what we have experienced together so far and hopefully have more to see.”
As dual active Marines, there is a deep level of understanding when it comes to difficulties and challenges that come with the lifestyle of being a Marine.
“There’s not a lot of sympathy, but there is a lot of support,” Suzan said. “For us, we’ve known each other for 17 years now and try to support each other as well as encourage each other along the way.”
After years of balancing successful careers, a marriage and two children, the Thompsons have a new reason to celebrate.
Gary was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015. Suzan was able to fly out to the ship and promote him to his new rank.
Suzan, also a lieutenant colonel and the battalion commander of Headquarters and Support Battalion, School of Infantry-West, is excited for the opportunity to see her husband continue to grow in his career. He is slated to assume his next position as the battalion commander for Combat Logistics Battalion 11 in Camp Pendleton, California.
“He’s got a great job coming as a battalion commander and I’m looking forward to him giving me tips now as being a battalion commander and hopefully share that with him throughout the next couple of years,” Suzan added.
Although Suzan was promoted before Gary, the two are proud of all of the accomplishments they have experienced together.
“Sometimes I can’t help but to think that she’s always one step ahead of me, but it’s amazing none the less to be able to share the same experiences that my wife has had,” Gary said.
As both Marines continue their time in the Marine Corps, their bond as spouses, leaders and Marines will continue to grow.
| Date Taken: | 09.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2015 15:04 |
| Story ID: | 176132 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Hometown: | JOURDANTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Marine couple’s career goes hand in hand, by Sgt April Price, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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