Photo By Sgt. Calvin Shamoon | Future Marine Grayson Scott Williams poses for a photo with a Marine Corps Guidon at...... read more read more
(CLERMONT, Fla.) – Choosing what you want to do with your life once high school is over is a hard decision. There are many options, including college, trade school, full-time work and the military.
Grayson Scott Williams, an Orlando native and a graduate from First Academy, Leesburg, Florida, had plenty of options, including an $180,000 academic scholarship to Louisiana State University, but he answered the call to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps instead. July 13, he shipped to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, where he is currently training to earn the title of Marine.
“My grandfather was in the Marine Corps and he always spoke highly of it,” said Grayson. “In 2010, he took me to Parris Island, where we visited one of his friends, and from there I was hooked.”
The Williams boys have always had options other than the military. In fact, Grayson’s grandfather was the only Marine in the family. His father, Dayne Williams, played stints, mostly on the practice squad, as a defensive tackle and defensive end for the New York Giants before served as the CEO of PlanSource. His brother, Garret Williams, is a two-time national champion football player from Clemson. While his family had success in either academics, sports or both, Grayson decided on a different path and followed the footsteps of his grandfather.
“My family is overall pretty supportive of my decision to become a Marine,” said Grayson, prior to his departure. “My mom has been on the fence about this, but as I get closer to my shipping date, she has shown more support.”
While Grayson has always had the thought of being a Marine, he finally made the commitment after talking to Staff Sgt. Gabriel Osorio, a recruiter with Recruiting Substation Leesburg, Recruiting Station Tampa.
“Right off the bat when he walked in, I could tell it was not a typical interview," said Osoria. "He had already said, ‘I want to be a Marine.' I just had to reassure the decision. He just wanted to make things move as quickly as possible. He just wanted this.”
Osorio had nothing but praise for Grayson, who led physical training with the future Marines, displayed the drive to be the best and demonstrated selflessness when it in his interaction with other fellow future Marines.
After completing 13 weeks training at Parris Island, Grayson will attend the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Geiger, North Carolina, to become an infantryman.
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2020 13:48 |
| Story ID: | 375183 |
| Location: | CLERMONT, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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