SAN DIEGO --
Unexpected
events happen in life and it often takes a person being stronger than he has
ever been to overcome them. One Marine used tragic events in his life to
motivate and guide him to become a better person.
Private
Akeem A. White, Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, experienced the
unexpected leading him to look for and find everything he ever wanted in the
Corps.
White
grew up in Victorville, Calif., with his parents. He attended school and spent
his free time hanging out with his friends like every other normal teenager and
young adult. The year he graduated tragedy struck and turned his life upside
down .
In
2011, White’s father passed away unexpectedly, leaving him and his family in
shock.
“It
was so sudden that it threw my whole family through a loop,” said White.
“Personally, I didn’t know what to do and I did not know where my life was
going to head when I got my head back on straight.”
Two
years later, he started college at San Joaquin Valley College in Visalia,
Calif., where he achieved a 4.0 grade point average and made the Dean’s List
for his efforts. He felt his life had settled down and things were going well,
but little did he know, tragedy was about to strike again.
White’s
mother passed away, forcing him to withdraw from college and lose his home.
“My
mom was my main supporter,” said White. “After she passed away, I didn’t have
anywhere to go or live. I had to work small jobs just to be able to afford some
food.”
White
was now on his own, and lived house to house with whoever would open a door for
him. He knew he had to figure something out.
“I
always wanted to join the military,” said 24-year-old White. “My father was in
the Air Force, and when he talked about all of his experiences, it made me
really interested.”
White
began looking at his options for what branch he thought would fit him best,
after meeting a Marine Corps recruiter, he knew right away when he had found
the one.
“Just
everything they stand for is what I need in my life,” said White. “Stability,
brotherhood, seeing the world and just being able to say I was a part of the
legacy is anything a person could ever want.”
White
explains that he always has felt the need to be a protector, to protect people
he has never met and to protect the country he has lived his whole life in. He
has pushed through all of his life’s adversity but is still looking for more of
a challenge and wants to be part of the rich heritage the Marine Corps has to
offer.
White
arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego April 27. He excelled in events
such as the rifle range with a final score of 330 out of 350 total point,
making him the third highest shooter out of hundreds of recruits in his
company.
Following
recruit training, White will move on to the School of Infantry, Marine Corps
Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he will pursue his career as an infantryman.
He plans on finishing his degree and making a career in the Marine Corps.
“I
am just graduating recruit training right now,” said White, “but I already want
to thank the Marine Corps for all they have done for me and cannot wait to live
my life as a Marine.”