Photo By Cpl. Thomas Mudd | Cpl. Eddie Acuna, tank commander, 1st Tank Battalion, operated a tank for the first...... read more read more
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> I grew up playing football and ran track throughout high school. I learned about the importance of teamwork playing these sports. I played cornerback for football and ran the 4x100 and the 4x400 relays for my track team.
> I am an only child so playing sports was one of my favorite outlets. I still play flag football for my unit when we have a chance.
> My uncle was a rifleman in the Marine Corps and he loved it. He was the person that first got me interested in joining.
> I joined the Marines right out of high school. I wanted to have a job that got me close to the action but not too close. I ended up being part of a tank crew.
> When I first got to Twentynine Palms, I was part of the [Fleet Assistant Personnel] program for the Combat Camera reproduction shop. I was there for about a year, and as soon as I got back from the ‘Com Cam’ shop I was told by one of my mentors, a master gunnery sergeant, that I was going to be his gunner for his last tank gunnery. This was my first time operating in a tank crew.
> A tank gunnery is basically qualifying a tank and its crew. I had not been in a tank before but my master guns taught me everything I needed to know during that time.
> We shot the battalion high and with my ‘Master Guns’ help I became tanker of the year. That is one of the most memorable moments I’ve had with tanks.
> When I’m not working on tanks here I read various tank manuals. As a tank commander, I want to know as much as I can about the tank so my team can be prepared. It is amazing what tanks can do.
> I plan to continue my career in the Marine Corps and would like to go the route of a first sergeant so I can see more of the Corps and gain new experiences.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2016 18:31 |
| Story ID: | 190002 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 340 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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