Photo By Staff Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes | CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – 2nd Lt. John...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – When some people graduate college, the first thing they want to do is find a job where they can put their knowledge and new diploma to use. What happens when everything works the way it’s suppose to, but they feel like something is still missing?
This was the problem Broadview Heights, Ohio native, 2nd Lt. John Suschak faced. He graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2008 with a degree in exercise science and began working as a physical trainer. It was a job doing what he loved everyday and he made a good living, yet there was something missing. It didn’t take him long to figure out what that missing piece was.
“I’ve always wanted to join the military,” said Suschak, the Logistics officer for Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). “After college I felt a very strong, patriotic need to serve my country and do something that had meaning. I wanted to experience the sacrifice service members make to serve something bigger than themselves.”
Suschak said he was first introduced to the military in his third year of high school when he received the opportunity to follow an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps group for a day. The unit was practicing battlefield movements to demonstrate the knowledge the Army had taught them. Suschak discovered a fascination for the practice of battlefield tactics and strategy.
He put his newfound interest on hold as he worked toward earning his high school diploma. Once earned, he remained focused on his education and physical fitness throughout college, putting his interest in the military in the back of his mind.
He spent his collegiate years studying proper nutrition and exercise, which upon graduation, gave him a solid foundation for his first job as a physical trainer. Over the course of his first year, he remembered the soldiers he had seen while in high school. He realized that if he wanted to serve his country, time was running out and he had to act quickly.
Of all the uniformed services, for Suschak, one stood out above the rest. He went to the nearest Marine recruiting station and filled out the necessary papers to become a Marine officer.
“Marines have always impressed me with the discipline and professionalism they present,” said Suschak. “When I decided I wanted to join, I knew I wanted to lead Marines. To me, being a Marine is a huge honor, but having the opportunity to lead and serve my Marines, is an honor very few people will ever experience.”
He knew it was going to be a difficult journey, but he was ready for the challenge. Suschak excelled throughout the Officers Candidate School and The Basic School, where his passion for military tactics and discipline was renewed. Although hoping to be an infantry officer, Suschak was proud to have the opportunity to lead Marines in any manner.
“When I graduated from The Basic School I was told I was going to be a logistics officer,” said Suschak. “When life puts you in the situation that you’re in, you make the best of it and I’m going to do the very best I can.”
Suschak checked into Headquarters and Service Battalion after graduating from logistics school and within a few short months, he deployed with the 2nd Marine Division for a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. As the logistics officer, Suschak is responsible for ensuring the logistics shop, battalion supply and motor transportation are operating properly.
“He came into the shop with a good head on his shoulders,” said Gunnery Sgt. Brian Scarbrough, Headquarters Battalion Supply and Logistics chief. “What makes a good officer is someone who doesn’t come in thinking they know everything and are ready to change the world. He found out and accepted quickly that a leader can only be as good as the Marines who work for him. He has faith and trust in the Marines who work for him and he’s working to keep them motivated, as well as mentally and physically fit.”
Scarborough and the other staff non-commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers with the section have been working with Suschak to ensure that the logistics of running a battalion meet the highest expectations of the command.
“To be a Marine and a leader of Marines, there’s nothing else I could ask for,” said Suschak. “My Marines and the Marine Corps deserve nothing less than 100 percent of what I have to offer and that’s what I attempt to give every day.”
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2011 09:37 |
| Story ID: | 72533 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 378 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Ohio native chases dreams into combat zone, by PFC James Frazer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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