Outback Diaries: Entry 2: Cpl. Richard Navarrette Jr

Photo By Lance Cpl. Damion Hatch | U.S. Marine Cpl. Richard Navarrette Jr, administration chief with Marine Rotational Force Darwin, laughs while displaying a photo of his mother and sister, on Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin Australia, Apr 4, 2017. “I always help out because I know what it’s like to be in a tough situation,” said Navarrette. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Damion Hatch Jr)  

DARWIN, NT, AUSTRALIA

04.04.2017

Story by Cpl. Nathaniel Cray 

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia – The power goes out again. Two children and their mother begin to light candles inside their small apartment.

“She didn’t want us to know that we were struggling as hard as we were,” said Cpl. Richard Navarrette Jr, an administrative specialist with I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Navarrette, a Colorado Springs native, joined the Marine Corps in July 2014 to help his mother financially.

“I was just trying to take care of my little sister and help my mom out as much as I could,” said Navarrette.

At Camp Pendleton, California, Navarette faced some unexpected leadership challenges.

“I had a Marine that tried to commit suicide,” said Navarrette.

“As a Marine, you have to be able to adapt and overcome in any situation, but there are some situations that you don’t know how to handle,” said Navarette. “That’s when you have to seek guidance and find out how you can help that Marine.”

Navarette was recently deployed to Australia for Marine Rotational Force Darwin where he serves as the administration chief.

“Now, whenever I see someone in a hardship, I always try to help them out as much as I can,” said Navarrette. “I didn’t know, growing up, that I was learning how to be a leader.”

• Date Taken: 04.04.2017
• Date Posted: 04.04.2017 07:44
• Story ID: 229080
• Location: DARWIN, NT, AU
• Hometown: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US