Photo By Sgt. Elyssa Quesada | Joe Zarzycki, a candidate from Officer Selection Office Ann Arbor, Mich., participates...... read more read more
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Marine officer candidate Joe Zarzycki attends Eastern Michigan University as a junior studying aviation management and general management.
Marine officer candidate Joe Zarzycki attends Eastern Michigan University as a junior studying aviation management and general management.
How did this university student decide to tackle both academics and a military career? He was watching a movie that pulled at his patriotic heart strings.
“While watching the Hurt Locker in Canada, it really made me want to move back to the U.S. and have a purpose in serving our country,” said Zarzycki.
He decided that playing college hockey was not helping anyone and neither was going to school, but joining the Marines would bring purpose back into his life.
“I always wanted to get into the military and the Marine Corps is kind of a family tradition,” said Zarzycki.
“In his 100 word statement for his application for Platoon Leader Class he stated part of the reason he wants to join is because it is a family tradition with his father, grandfather and great uncle serving in our Corps as well,” said Capt. Nathan Harmon.
Harmon, an officer selection officer, is part of Recruiting Station Detroit’s Officer Selection Team in Ann Arbor, Mich., who helps officer candidates choose from one of several paths to earn their commission.
“He desires to be involved in Marine Corps related activities so much that he has volunteered to take on Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps related duties even though he is not on scholarship,” said Harmon.
Zarzycki was selected to attend the Platoon Leaders Class, which is just one of the paths that can lead to commissioning as an officer in the Marine Corps. As a college freshman and sophomores, PLC consists of two, six-week training sessions taken after the freshman and junior school years. As a junior, PLC consists of one 10-week training session taken between the junior and senior year.
Zarzycki applied for PLC on 27 September 2011, and was selected during October 2011 and attend PLC juniors summer 2012.
“Joe is a candidate that has already shown me that he has the potential to become a phenomenal Marine officer,” said Harmon.
When asked how he handled training, Zarzycki describes the challenges he faced.
“I loved the training, but definitely the most challenging part was the emotional aspect,” he said. “It really helps having a strong family support. No matter where I am they are always going to be there to support me.”
Zarzychi will attend senior PLC at Quantico, Va., 26 May 2014.
“He will probably be a candidate that is able to help others out,” said Harmon. “I anticipate it being a character building event for him for sure.”
After completing his second session of training he will return to EMU to complete his studies. In April 2015, Zarzycki will graduate with his bachelor’s degree, which will officially appoint him as a Marine Corps Officer.
After earning his commission, Zarzycki will attend The Basic School in Quantico, Va., as a second lieutenant. The six-month program, builds on the skills learned as an officer candidate to lead Marines.
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2014 09:28 |
| Story ID: | 121475 |
| Location: | YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN, US |
| Hometown: | DETROIT, MICHIGAN, US |
| Hometown: | YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 153 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Eastern Michigan Marine Officer Candidate continues legacy, by Sgt Elyssa Quesada, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
