Tech. Sgt., retired Marine major reunite in Okinawa after 12 years

Photo By Cpl. Thomas Provost | Retired Maj John Glenn (right), a health and physical education teacher at Kadena Middle School, and Tech. Sgt. Thundercloud Hirajeta, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration craftsman in the 18th Civil Engineers Squadron, stand together after Glenn re-enlisted Hirajeta into the United States Air Force, Jan. 16, in the Kubasaki High School gymnasium.  

CAMP FOSTER, JAPAN

01.16.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Thomas Provost 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Thomas Provost
III Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa -- I, Thundercloud Hirajeta, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic..., these were the words that echoed through the gymnasium at Kubasaki High School on Camp Foster, Jan. 16, as Tech. Sgt. Thundercloud Hirajeta re-enlisted into the United States Air Force in front of all five companies of the Kubasaki High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Battalion.

But this re-enlistment ceremony was different. The person who re-enlisted Hirajeta was not an airman, but a retired Marine Corps major.

"As soon as he asked me to do this, I got the uniform out and I got everything ready to go, I wanted to be special for him and represent the Marine Corps," said John Glenn, a retired major, now a health and physical education teacher at Kadena Middle School. "I'm surprised that he didn't have his commanding officer do it, but he came back to his grass roots, back in high school and had me do it. That's special, real special. That just boosted my self-esteem way up."

Glenn was a Marine Corps JROTC instructor at Kubasaki High School 12 years ago when Hirajeta, new to the school at the start of his senior year, made the decision to join the program.

In that one school year, Glenn made a deep impression on Hirajeta as a teacher, instructor and role model, the airman said.

"He was hard nosed, tough, and if you were out of standards, he would correct you. He was also a very motivated teacher and loves the Marine Corps," said Hirajeta. "I definitely looked up to him as a teacher and instructor."

While in the program, Hirajeta's interests extended from communications and using radio equipment, to drill and marksmanship. Through these changes, Glenn was there teaching and encouraging him to grow in skill and discipline.

Having a mentor who caters to your interests made learning and developing discipline fun, said Hirajeta.

Hirajeta looked up to and idolized his father, a stellar non-commissioned officer in the Army, and wanted to follow in his footsteps. Through the guidance and one-on-one student and mentor relationship he had with Glenn, he achieved his goal of becoming more disciplined and mature.

After he graduated, Hirajeta enlisted in the United States Air Force.

The leadership skills and discipline Hirajeta had learned under the hand of Glenn continued to inspire him in his Air Force career. Hirajeta said he strives to pass those same lessons to the younger airmen under his charge.

Twelve years later, Hirajeta made the decision to re-enlist and contacted Glenn to swear him in.

"When he first e-mailed me at work, as soon as I read the name, I knew who it was," Glenn said. "I was looking forward to this for two weeks."

Hirajeta re-enlisted continuing his career as a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration craftsman in the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena Air Base. Hirajeta plans on retiring after 20 years of service.

• Date Taken: 01.16.2009
• Date Posted: 01.26.2009 19:12
• Story ID: 29295
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, JP