MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – As an administrative specialist for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Pfc. D’Vonte Robinson is seen and rarely heard. But walk past his barracks room in the evening, and you might mistake him for the radio.
From an early age, the 18-year-old Marine from Montgomery, Ala., learned to express himself through music. Raised with strong ties to his faith, he first started singing his praises at church. Since then, he believes music is a part of who he is.
In this interview he tells us how music has an impact on his life.
Q: What do you bring to the Corps?
A: I like to think that as a part of the new generation I bring ambition. I’m a very ambitious person.
Q: How does singing help you with your job?
A: Singing helps me express myself. It’s kind of like an outlet away from the job. It’s a way to forget about the stress and come back recharged to work.
Q: When did you first start singing?
A: My family back in South Alabama got me into it. I have a family full of singers. My aunt was in the choir along with her daughter. My uncle sings and my grandmother is also a singer. It’s kind of like a family tradition.
Q: How do you feel about keeping that family tradition?
A: It’s a part of who I am. I was born and raised in the church. My family is very centralized around the faith, so I grew up listening to gospel.
Q: What is it about singing that you enjoy?
A: Whenever I sing, whether it’s by myself or to other people, it works as a relief. The job does get stressful, that’s with any job really, but it does help me out in the long run.
Q: How do you feel when you sing your favorite song?
A: I feel happy. Relief. I feel free. It’s one of those few things I can say I love and I’m free to do it.
Q: Do you write your own music?
A: I’m not that talented (as he lets out a laugh).
Q: Do you feel like music can cure any bad day?
A: I do. Music is one of those things that comes to a person individually. When it’s just you and your favorite song or a song that just hits you, it really impacts you in a way that can change your mood. You can go from happy to sad, sad to angry and angry to glad. It just has so much of an impact.
Q: How much of yourself do you put into singing?
A: If you’re going to do something you love, you have to give all you have into it. You’ll be better off for it.
Q: Do you sing at work?
A: Every once in a while you’ll catch me singing out a tune to help pass the time.
Q: Has the Marine Corps helped you build confidence to sing in front of people?
A: It has helped me a ton. The Marine Corps has boosted my confidence up a lot. It taught me that there is no such thing as limitations. Limitations are what you set for yourself. If you don’t set limitations for yourself, then there is nothing you can’t achieve.
For the Warrior Wednesday video on Robinson, visit our YouTube page at: http://youtu.be/e6XX07kLoh4
Correspondent: emmanuel.ramos1@usmc.mil