MARINE TAKES PRIDE IN FAMILY AND COUNTRY

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kailey Maraglia | Private First Class Gustis Goin, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands at parade rest at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 14. Goin served as a squad leader in Platoon 3270 for the entire training cycle. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Mike company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 18.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

11.14.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Kailey Maraglia 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

Goin explained where he comes from as a small town that runs off the land and resources. He said people in his town would take one of two paths: working the mills or joining the military.
“I’ve been saying I wanted to join the Marine Corps since I was a kid,” said Goin. “I always had a little trouble reading when I was younger, so I picked up a big book on World War II Marines.”
Although his family knew joining the Marine Corps was something Goin was passionate about for a long time, when he was 17 years old and able to enlist, they would not sign the papers allowing him to do so.
“My mom just did not want to be the one to sign those papers,” said Goin. “I wanted a combat job, so I don’t really blame her.”
Goins parents met with his recruiter and were supportive and proud of what he wanted to do, but they were still reluctant to sign any papers. They allowed it to be his own decision for when he turned 18.
While waiting for the day to come when he could enlist on his own, Goin was preparing for boot camp.
“I’ve always been pretty fit,” said Goin. “I was prepared as far as knowledge goes. I studied before getting [to boot camp].”
Goin also had experience with the physical hardships he faced at recruit training.
“There were lots of mountains where I am from,” said Goin. “While everyone was complaining on the hikes, I was thinking, ‘Try doing this with an elk on your back.’”
The Olalla native hunted and fished with his father, who he credits with making him the person he is today.
Going through recruit training was the first time Goin was away from his family and the first time he ever left Oregon. Coming to the depot was farthest Goin has traveled from home in his entire life.
“You don’t have to go too far to have an adventure,” said Goin. “Wherever the Marine Corps sends me I’m sure there’ll be one.”
Despite it being the first time he was away from his home, Goin said being separated from his family wasn’t too bad.
“I knew I would see them again,” he said.
Goin said he didn’t join for himself he joined to fortify what he loved, and that included his family and his country.
“[My family is] part of my country and that’s something I’m going to protect.” said Goin.
Goin arrived with that passion and pride and kept it with him through recruit training, which allowed him to be very successful as a recruit. He was named squad leader for Platoon 3270 and maintained that throughout the entire training cycle.
Following Recruit Training, Goin will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendelton, Calif., to become infantryman.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2016
• Date Posted: 11.18.2016 11:14
• Story ID: 215139
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US
• Hometown: OLALLA, WA, US