Photo By Cpl. Demetrius Morgan | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Midshipman Michelle Mathews is a...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The Marine Corps is constantly molding future warfighters who choose to be a part of the nation’s premier fighting force. The path to becoming a Marine is filled with physical and mental obstacles, forcing each individual to overcome their limitations. Despite the difficulty, people find a way to push through the hurdles and achieve their life-changing goals.
The Career Orientation and Training of Midshipman program is one of the many routes to claiming the title of United States Marine. The program gives aspiring college students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Marine Corps and Navy tactics and operations. The program is ultimately used to further encourage individuals to pursue their goal to become a service member. One midshipman in particular has shown an unwavering desire to chase her dream of becoming a Marine Corps officer.
Mathews is a 19-year-old college student attending Villanova University where she plays volleyball for the school team and runs in her spare time. Her primary focus is not sports, however – she has a larger goal in mind. From the second grade onward, she knew she wanted to serve her country.
“I kind of had a calling ever since I was little,” said Mathews. “One time when I was at church I was told to close my eyes and envision what I see myself doing, and I saw troops in the battlefield. I never really watched those types of movies growing up so I knew it was a sign.”
Mathew’s passion was a surprise to all around her, as none of her family members or friends growing up were in the military and they were a little skeptical when she voiced her plans. The skepticism never discouraged her and for years she remained focused on her path to service. After moving around the country for much of her young life, Mathews and her family settled in Houston where she eventually started her college education at Villanova University.
Despite her energetic pursuit of her studies and her commitment to athletics, she believes her participation in the CORTRAMID program is the primary event in college bringing her one step closer to achieving her dream.
“This program has been really awesome,” said Mathews. “It’s kind of like an internship for the military. I get to try out all these new things and actually touch and mess with the equipment. I’m a hands-on learner, so I can’t just look at something and be told how it works; I have to engage.”
The program offers an exclusive look at the different traits of warfighting from an officer’s perspective. During June 13-17 Mathews and her fellow Midshipmen transitioned into the programs’ Marine week, which had them learning some basic ground combat tactics and familiarization with different weapons and equipment.
Mathews didn’t know at first what branch of service she wanted to join. She did extensive research and discovered the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program, where she figured out how to take steps to join the military while earning her degree and participating in sports.
Eventually, she decided on the Marine Corps because of its elite reputation and legacy. She knew it was a brotherhood she wanted to be a part of after graduation. Mathews said though she enjoyed all her experiences in the CORTRAMID program, one week stood out the most.
“Marine week has been the best week and this is definitely what I want to be doing,” said Mathews. “Marines are just so different; we are out in the field all dirty and sweaty and I love it. I like how they rotate us so we are constantly engaged. That mentality to be productive at all times and to keep training is one of the things I think separates Marines from the pack.”
Mathews added that she is naturally prone to taking the most challenging and most rewarding roads in life and the Marine Corps embodies that for her. She also stated interacting with Marines made her choice easier. She noticed the attention to detail Marines emphasize and the work ethic they display in everything they do. Most of all, she noticed the camaraderie Marines had for one another.
“You always see Marines together helping each other and just being part of a brotherhood,” said Mathews. “I want to be a part of that. I want to be able to trust the people around me and to an extent, I’ve experienced that with the Midshipmen who also want to be Marines. We stick together for the most part and that’s what I want.”
Mathews and her fellow Midshipmen learned various things including infantry squad tactics and information about daily life on a ship or a submarine. Although those skills and experiences assist in becoming a well-rounded leader, Mathews believes that the intangible aspects of the training were just as valuable.
“Other than the fact that I can go home and say I did all this cool stuff, I learned a lot of things that I can take with me for the rest of my life,” said Mathews. “Having attention to the smallest details in everything, being able to think on your feet, having trust in those around you, are things I can apply to not just a future career in the Marine Corps but in anything.”
Mathews’ goal is to become the best Marine Corps officer possible through hard work and dedication. More specifically, Mathews’ goal is to be in the fight.
“I don’t want to be sitting on the sidelines while other Marines risk their lives,” said Mathews. “I want to be out there with them fighting the good fight.”
Marine Corps officers are assigned their military occupational specialty while at The Basic School, unless they have a law or aviation contract. While every graduate puts in a “wish list” for their preferred jobs, higher performers have an increased chance of getting their top job.
Mathews realizes she has a lot of work in front of her in order to achieve her goals but she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get where she wants to go. Her dream job, becoming a combat engineer officer, puts her in the position to affect the outcome of battles on the ground, a position which she is passionate about.
“I’m not going to stop until I earn the title and make it,” said Mathews.
Mathews will continue her journey of earning the title of United States Marine with the help of CORTRAMID and the NROTC program. Various physical and mental obstacles still await her but she says she is ready to take on anything that comes her way.
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2016 14:03 |
| Story ID: | 201797 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 394 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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