Punk rockers have made their mark on society for more than 20 years, entertaining audiences with distorted guitars, brash lyrics and energetic performances; but, one has made his mark in another important way.

Lance Cpl. Ryan M. Eberly, communications center operator, G-2 section, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), was a drummer in a punk rock band throughout high school before joining the Marine Corps in 2003.

“I was part of a band, a punk rock band,” said the Reading, Pa., native. “We played shows at a place called ‘Sound Waves.’ It was basically an indoor skate park and concert hall.”

Eberly said the group made a few demo tapes, and performed at the skate park on a regular basis.

As high school was coming to an end, it was time for the members of “Korey and the Other Two” (Eberly’s band) to go their separate ways.

“I was kind of unsure about what I wanted to do,” said the 2004 graduate of Muhlenburg High School, Reading, Pa. “I had it narrowed down to a few choices.”

Eberly, a quiet, broad shouldered Marine, said the military would give him an opportunity to serve his country, and at the same time receive a college education.

“I figured that [joining the military] would be a way to pay for college,” he said.

Eberly said he chose the Marine Corps for the challenge, and decided to enter the intelligence field when he enlisted into the Delayed Entry Program.

The19-year-old stepped on the legendary yellow footprints aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., June 14, 2004, where he completed Recruit Training.

After completing initial training and Crypto Technician/Signals Collection School in Pensacola, Fla., he was assigned to 2nd Radio Battalion based at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Less than one year after leaving his hometown of Reading for boot camp, he was deployed to Iraq serving with the intelligence section.

Eberly said since deploying, he has gained a lot of useful information in his job field.

“I’ve learned a lot, and in the short time I’ve been here, I’m starting to take control of what’s going on in the shop,” he said.

Even though Eberly is a junior Marine, he was counted on to help arriving intelligence Marines learn the ropes in the office.

“I had to take charge and make sure everyone else was schooled up,” he said.

Becoming a leader of Marines is one of the main goals Eberly hopes to accomplish in the deployment.

“I want to learn as much as possible,” he said. “I want to make my mark.”

Eberly said his parents are very supportive of his career and deployment.

“My dad is all for it,” he said. “He shows how much he cares just by sending all different kinds of stuff in the mail.”

The avid drummer said he is proud to serve, and is prepared to go where the Corps needs his expertise the most.

“If I had to stay out here for a year, I’d do it, no problem,” he said. “[Camp Fallujah] is the longest duty station I’ve had.”

More than 16,000 chubby, skinny, short, tall, adopted brothers, fathers, cousins, nephews, sons and uncles will come through the depot this fiscal year. Waivers for law infractions, weight problems and sometimes height, might be necessary to send a man on his way to training, but rarely does one need an age waiver.

As the oldest man graduating from Company M, Pfc. David M. Lueck, Platoon 1112, made up his mind, after ten years of doubts and maybes, to join the Marine Corps.

For a man or woman to join without a waiver, you must be between the ages of 17 and 28. Lueck is 33.

Another difference between the Wisconsin native and his peers is his extended education. The Ripon College graduate left school with a degree in biology and education. At 24, he did not know which direction he was headed, but he did like to teach, according to Lueck. Nine years later and still thinking about the Marines, Lueck decided to go for it.

His decision was as much a surprise to a few other people as it was to himself. “We were eating dinner and all the sudden he said, ‘Oh yeah, I joined the Marines,’” said Maureen Wades, Lueck’s girlfriend.

“I thought about it for a long time, probably about eight or 10 years,” said Lueck. “Finally, just one of those days I guess, I realized the desire to do it never went away. Seems like it’s the right thing to do.”

Apart form raw desire, other factors influenced Lueck’s choice.

“Growing up in a small town, you live a pretty sheltered life,” he said.

Lueck graduated from Green Lake High School in 1990. His senior class was made up of 29 people.

In the nine years that Lueck spent in between college and the Marine Corps, he was substitute teaching at middle schools and junior high schools. Even during college he had an apprenticeship with the coach there. He assisted with football and basketball coaching.

When the time came to go, Lueck was expecting nothing. After all the explanations of recruit training, Lueck decided to make his own opinion based on experience.

“You can only prepare so much. You have to live it to understand it,” said Lueck.

Lueck said the physical training wasn’t as hard to him as it was for some of the other recruits, but the change in atmosphere was definitely something that he was not ready for.

“One of the hardest things for me is just that I have been on my own for so long and now everything is regimented,” said Lueck. “For someone who has been independent for so long, it is difficult to adjust, especially for someone who is older and pretty much set in his ways.”

Lueck’s senior drill instructor appointed him as the platoon guide for the first couple weeks of training. Not long after, Lueck realized that there was somebody better for the job. Lueck found that adapting to the boot camp environment would be difficult enough without taking on the added responsibilities of platoon guide.

Things fell into place once the company arrived at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., for field and rifle training, according to Lueck.

“Things became faster paced, but you are used to it by then,” said Lueck. “It makes you tired, but it makes the time go by really fast.”

Second phase of training was over in four weeks, then the company came back to the depot to finish the recruit training.

“I noticed that we are given a little more freedom, but we are also expected to perform at a higher level,” said Lueck.

Seldom were the moments during boot camp when recruits got a chance to catch their breathe. Lueck found himself thinking back to his freer days back in Wis

consin.

“Your schedule is completely set from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep,” said Lueck. “There are times when I miss the life I had, but I never regretted coming here.”

Joining the military was tough decision, but joining the Marine Corps seemed like it was the right decision, according to Lueck, who enlisted with the Marine Corps reserves infantry unit out of Madison, Wis.
“Well, it’s obvious that I will be going to Iraq and clear that I will be going to war,” said Lueck. “It is scary, but my desire to be here helps, and while it is scary, it is also the reason I am here.”

Sgt. Jason Abel, recruiter, walks between the two squads of poolees and gives final instructions prior to the five-mile infantry patrol. Photo by: Sgt. Jim Goodwin

“If it ain’t rainin’, we ain’t trainin’” – a motto many Marines live by when “toughing” out training in less than ideal weather conditions.

For poolees of Recruiting Substation Clarksville, In., working in less than ideal weather conditions meant spending two-days conducting field-training operations in the cold, rainy and muddy grounds of central Kentucky March 9-10 during a monthly pool function. (continue reading…)

Recruits are required to stand perfectly still at the proper position of attention. On pick-up day, drill instructors begin the training process that eventually makes this instinctive in recruits.

Day one of recruit training is a very important day for both recruits and drill instructors. The drill instructors have to establish a position of authority and command respect not only with their voices but also with how they carry themselves. The recruits must give them that respect. (continue reading…)