Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- After his mother became ill, Recruit Adam J. LaVine, Platoon 3263, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, made the decision to work three jobs in order to take care of her, his sister and niece while she recover.
LaVine was 15 years old when his mother was diagnosed with chronic heart fatigue, and diabetes. He explained not only did he have to work while attending high school, but he also had to ready his sister for school, make sure his mother took her medication and take his niece to daycare.
Despite the heavy workload, he did not complain or blame anyone for his family’s situation. In fact, he said he tried to make the best of the situation any way he could.
“I don’t want to make it seem like it was too terrible. We made it, and we made a good time out of it,” said LaVine, a St. Louis, native. “What’s life without a little bit of fun. No matter if it was just cooking something different like ramen noodles and grilled cheese. Just little stuff like that.”
Although LaVine stayed optimistic, the workload never decreased. He worked 80 hours per week as a janitor, line chef and waiter. He paid the bills, grocery shopped, budgeted and maintained his grades.
Despite the amount he was working, his family could only afford a one- bedroom apartment, so until his senior year of high school, he slept on the living room floor.
“Senior year, I finally got a futon,” said LaVine with a laugh.
La Vine explained his mother had her first heart attack in 2013 and in 2014 had to have quadruple bypass surgery. He explained although she is recovering, he’s still worried about her and wants to keep her and his family with him during his military career.
“The main reason I joined is for financial security,” said LaVine.
At the beginning of recruit training, LaVine did not begin at the top of his platoon. He could only do four pull-ups and weighed 215 pounds. However, today LaVine can now do 19 pull-ups and has cut his weight to 165 pounds.
His improvement in recruit training has been noticed by his drill instructors.
“When we first got him, he was definitely an average recruit. But now he helps others on their fitness and continues to improve his own,” said Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Steinburg, drill instructor, Platoon 3263. “He definitely came to recruit training to improve, and he’s gotten what he came for.”
Steinberg also said he felt that LaVine showed his true character by taking care of his family.
“There are a lot of young men who wouldn’t have risen to the challenge. It’s a good testimony to his character and what type of physical and mental strength he has,” said Steinberg. “Any time you have an individual that’s willing to put others before yourself that’s a leadership trait and something good for the Marine Corps.”