African experience impacts Ohio Marine

Photo By Sgt. Rocco Defilippis | Cpl. Joseph Klepac, a motor transportation specialist with 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, recently participated in West African Training Cruise 2008, a maritime sea-basing and humanitarian assistance exercise off the coast of, and in the city of Monrovia, Liberia.  

03.29.2008

Story by Sgt. Rocco Defilippis 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

By Sgt. Rocco DeFilippis
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe Public Affairs

ABOARD USNS 2nd LT. JOHN P. BOBO - Three weeks ago, Willoughby Hills, Ohio native Cpl. Joseph Klepac was excited about prospect of two jobs in fields near and dear to his heart: law enforcement and service in the United States Marine Corps.

While preparing for a four week deployment with his Marine Corps Reserve unit, Klepac, a motor transportation specialist, had been steadily nearing the end of the interview process to become a police officer with the Highland Heights Police Department in Highland Heights, Ohio.

"Being a United States Marine has been immensely rewarding, and I have always wanted to serve in law enforcement," Klepac, a 2002 graduate of Willoughby South High School, said. "During my five years in the Marine Corps, I have been focusing on preparing myself to succeed both in the Corps and as a police officer."

Klepac is a first generation American born to his Croatian parents, Ivica and Ana Klepac of Willoughby Hills. He graduated from Cleveland Heights Police Academy in June of 2007 and began interviewing with numerous police departments in the Cleveland area. Eventually, he found himself sitting across from the chief of police during his third interview with HHPD.

"For most police departments, the interview process can take up to six months," Klepac said. "There is a lot of competition for law enforcement work in the Cleveland area, but I have preparing for this job for many years. I've always known my hard work would eventually pay off."

One of the major steps Klepac took to prepare himself for law enforcement was when he stepped on the yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., on April 6, 2003. As member of the United States Marine Reserve, he has served his nation both overseas in Operation Iraqi Freedom and here at home with his unit, Landing Support Equipment Co., 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group.

"I would say that being a Marine has completely changed my life," Klepac said. "I've been given some of the best military training in the world, I've had the opportunity to serve my country overseas, and overall, the Marine Corps has provided me with leadership and professionalism I know I couldn't find anywhere else."

Not only has the 24-year-old served in direct support of combat operations, he recently had the chance to participate in a historic first for Marine Corps maritime operations.
Along with other Marines from elements of 4th LSB across the country, Klepac recently traveled to Liberia to participate in West African Training Cruise 2008, a maritime sea-basing and humanitarian assistance exercise off the coast of Monrovia, Liberia.
In Liberia, Klepac and the Marines of his unit drove vehicles onto the Navy's new Improved Navy Lighterage System, a series of floating platforms that allow for supplies, vehicles and Marines to transfer from ship to ship and from ship to shore.

"This is the first time that the Navy or Marine Corps has done this kind of operation at sea, in open waters," Klepac said. "It's impressive for me to think that in the future these operations will be standard operating procedures and I got to be one of first to ever do it."

The WATC 08 trip wasn't just about transferring Marines and vehicles between ships. The vehicles that Klepac and his unit transferred were used to deliver more than $58,000 worth of humanitarian assistance supplies to several schools and medical facilities in the city of Monrovia.

"It was definitely an eye opening experience," he said. "It's not every day that you get to fly to Africa and make a direct difference in people's lives. The whole operation really hits the heart."

As Klepac prepares to return home to finish the interview process with the HHPD, he said he looks at his time in Africa as a character building experience.

"This exercise has benefited me both professionally and personally," he said. "I've been fortunate to see both sides of the Marine Corps; supporting Marines on the ground in Iraq and here, lending a helping hand to those in need. Not only did I get to sharpen my military occupational skills, but I also get to say that I made a difference."

WATC 08 is an exercise being held March 17 to April 5 in concert with the ongoing African Partnership Station deployment with a focus on the delivery of humanitarian assistance supplies to various clinics and schools in Monrovia, Liberia, from a sea-based command. Upon completion of the exercise, Klepac and the other Marines will return to their respective reserve units.

• Date Taken: 03.29.2008
• Date Posted: 04.09.2008 10:15
• Story ID: 18218