What I've Learned: Eric Montgomery

Photo By Sgt. Levi Schultz | Pfc. Eric Montgomery, student, Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, has been singing since he was two years old. Since then, he has performed all over the world, to include Vatican City. He is currently awaiting training at MCCES to become a field radio operator. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Schultz/Released)  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

09.30.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Levi Schultz 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Pfc. Eric Montgomery, student, Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School, has been singing since he was two years old. Since then, he has performed all over the world, to include Vatican City. He is currently awaiting training at MCCES to become a field radio operator.

I’m a natural musician, for as long as I remember I’ve been good at music.

I really enjoy the rhythms and the beat; it is something that sort of resonates with me. I don’t care about the lyrics, I care about the music. If it’s rhythmically good and it flows than I really enjoy it.

The emotions evoked when you can just feel the music is something that happens with me with all kinds of music whether its rock, pop or classical.

I like creating music like that too. When you hear something beautiful, and you get the opportunity to make it, then it’s that much better.

I grew up with 80s rock. Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith are some of my favorite bands.

I started playing trumpet in the sixth grade and played throughout high school. I also picked up piano in high school. I had the opportunity to play at high school events and church.

I’ve sang in a number of groups and choirs and have had the opportunity to sing all over the world.

I used to sing in a music group called the Atlantic Boy Choir. We performed for Pope John Paul II, at the Vatican. We toured the world and sang for a lot of people, which was a great experience for me. I don’t know too many people who have been to Italy and Vatican City by the time they were 13.

When I got older, I also sang for the Atlantic Men’s Choir where we traveled across the United States and Canada. We would sing at many historical places and in large cathedrals. It was great experiencing all those amazing places.

Music gave me the opportunity to travel the world. Being in the Marines, I would like to emulate that and be able to see the rest of the world.

I like challenges and doing new things. I enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, soccer and rock climbing.
I like soccer over all the other sports because I like to run and feel the wind on my face.

Unlike football and basketball where there is a time out every 30 seconds, you’re constantly moving and have to think on your feet. You are required to be able to access the situation and figure it out on the fly.

I took a couple years of college at Kennesaw State University. I realized the college experience was not to my liking, so I dropped out. Being stuck in the classroom listening to lectures for hours on end wasn’t my sort of learning experience, so I got a job.

I grew up in Snellville, Ga. It was a small town about 20 minutes from Atlanta. At first it was nature with stars and trees and over time it kind of dwindled away. I saw the city grow up around me and when I got a chance, I moved away so I could be in the wilderness again. My family still lives in the same house we grew up in.

I’ve always been patriotic and wanted to serve my country whether it was as police, a fire fighter or in the military. My parents and grandparents have worked in government service jobs.

I choose the Marines because if I was going to do something, I wanted to be the best at it. I felt like the Marines were the best of the best.

I’ve been married to my wife for about five years. It’s difficult after being in a relationship for that long to separate for months at a time and only be able to write letters or talk over the phone.

Knowing the benefits that the Marine Corps provides, we are excited for the future because they do put emphasis on family.

My goal is to finish out a college degree and see where it goes from there. There are a lot of programs and services offered by the military that I look forward to making use of.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2015
• Date Posted: 09.30.2015 19:49
• Story ID: 177677
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US
• Hometown: SNELLVILLE, GEORGIA, US