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    Corps values creating better citizens

    Corps Values Creating Better Citizens

    Photo By Sgt. Nicolas Atehortua | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Fox, an administrative specialist with 1st Intelligence...... read more read more

    CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

    01.12.2022

    Story by Cpl. Nicolas Atehortua 

    I MEF Information Group

    CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA --- The Marine Corps is based on a set of core values all Marines share. It’s what strengthens our bond and ultimately makes Marines better citizens. This is the case for Cpl. Daniel Fox, an administrative specialist with 1st Intelligence Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group.
    Fox’s parents moved from Mexico to the United States in search of better opportunities and a new beginning. Fox grew up in Madera, California, where his parents worked hard to save money and provide all the necessities for their children to be successful.
    “Growing up my mom and dad were never really home, they were always working,” said Fox. “I knew it was because they loved me and my sister and just wanted to make sure they provided for us.”
    As time went on, Fox attended high-school at Madera high, where he spent time with the wrong people. He let negative influence of his peer’s affect his behavior. He engaged in delinquent activities and produced minimum effort in his studies. He was starting to carve a path to an undesirable life with few options. His parents took notice of his behavior and began to feel uneasy of their son’s future and squandered potential. He began to realize where his life was headed and knew he needed to change, if not for him then for his family.
    “I wanted to change especially for my little sister,” said Fox. “I want her to have someone to look up to and call on when she is in need.”
    Fox decided the military would give him an opportunity to better his character and improve his life. He went to the Madera Armed Forces Recruiting Center to speak with the different branches. Each of the services attempted to recruit him but they were not what he was looking for until Sgt. Jeremy Breazeale told him about the Marine Corps. Fox fell in love with the idea of belonging to one of the toughest fighting forces in the world; the clean professional look of Sgt. Breazeale alone told him the Marine Corps meant business.
    “The Marines just looked different from everyone else,” said Fox. “When I talked to them they gave me a different feeling.”
    Fox began the journey to becoming a Marine in the poolee program. He pushed himself to attend all of the events. He improved his behavior and distanced himself from his negative peer’s. There would be times where he would start to lose his way, but Sgt. Breazeale would put him back on track and continue to encourage him. Over time he saw Sgt. Breazeale as a role model and exceptional leader; Sgt. Breazeale saw the untapped potential in Fox knowing he could become a Marine achieving great things no matter his past.
    “When I first walked into his office and told him about all the mistakes I’ve made, and he didn’t care,” said Fox. “He still believed in me and told me I could become a Marine.”
    The time came for him to go off to recruit training, and after 13 weeks of hard work and impenetrable resolve he came back a Marine. His family was extremely proud of him, but most importantly, Fox was finally proud of himself.
    “My family told me I am a new man,” said Fox. “My family loves the Marine Corps, my mom has Marine Corps flags waving all over the house.”
    “The Marine Corps has been a great experience for Daniel, he has changed so much. The Marines helped him become a good, responsible man, one who values life and is a wonderful human being,” said Veronica, Fox’s mother. “He’s driven and knows what he wants from life. He’s a great citizen and even better son we, as parents, are so proud of our boy.”
    Fox’s personal growth does not only affect him but it effects the I MEF Information Group. He makes sure to always set the proper example for other Marines. He mentors his junior Marines and stays patient with them understanding that they need time to learn and grow. Bettering the performance of the Marines around him, improves the unit’s ability to complete its mission.
    Fox has had many opportunities provided to him because of the Corps. Opportunities like assisting his father in earning his citizenship with his military service. He is using tuition assistance to earn his degree in criminal justice, and has found a passion for joining law enforcement in the future. The Marine Corps has taken Fox in from a road to disarray and put him on a path to become an outstanding Marine and a future valuable member to society.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.12.2022
    Date Posted: 02.23.2022 19:05
    Story ID: 414516
    Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US
    Hometown: LOS ANGELES, CA, US
    Hometown: MADERA, CA, US

    Web Views: 86
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN