On the way to 202K

[unhappycamper]

On the way to 202K
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Nov 1, 2008 7:17:26 EDT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Taking the first steps toward becoming a Marine wasn’t easy for Melissa Weissner.

At 17, the slender blonde’s mother was “stalling” to sign her enlistment paperwork, Weissner said. She kept avoiding an invitation to visit the recruiting substation here because she was worried about the decision her daughter was making.

Once the situation was final, Weissner’s grandmother initially refused to talk to her.

Like thousands of others, though, the high school senior is now a poolee. The paperwork was signed after a master sergeant and a staff sergeant visited her mother’s home, and they convinced her that Weissner had a future in the Corps, Weissner said. She recently attended a three-day preparatory boot camp in Minnesota, and is looking forward to shipping out July 6.

“I know what I’m doing after I graduate,” said Weissner, who is interested in airfield rescue. “Some of my friends are talking about taking a year off and partying, and I’m like, ‘I’m going in the Marines.’ I don’t really think they understand that concept.”


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/11/marine_recruiting_110108w/%2e