Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego --
Growing up in an
impoverished country often leads people to seek a better life with more
opportunities in places such as America many times, these immigrants feel the
desire to pay back their new country for all the positive for all the positive
they now have.
Private First Class John P. Cash, India Company, 3rd
Recruit Training Battalion, was born and raised in the Philippines until he
made a life-changing move to the United States.
“My mother wanted to raise enough money to bring my
brother, sister and me to the United States, but in the Philippines money was
hard to come by,” said Cash. “She moved to the U.S. and started working to
raise money. Then she met my now step-dad, who committed to bringing the family
to the United States.”
Although the family was eventually able to move everyone
to the U.S., it was a long process that didn’t happen overnight.
“I was the last to go,” said Cash. “Around the time of
October in 2008, I was able to move to the U.S. and reunite with my family.”
The Cash family chose San Jose, Calif., as their new home
once they got settled in the United States.
Cash recalls the differences between his old and new home.
“Poverty was a pretty common thing where I grew up, but
fortunately my family could afford the essentials of a healthy living style,”
said Cash. “We allowed other families to come to our property for water since
the town did not have running water and we did. There was a lot of trash
everywhere and the homeless steadily grew in numbers.”
Before moving to the United States, Cash took the
initiative to learn English while he was attending school.
“My biological father was able to send me to private school
in the Philippines where I was able to learn the English language,” said Cash.
“It made life a lot easier when I arrived in America. I didn’t realize how well
my English speaking skills were until I was able to interact with an entire
culture that speaks the language.”
Cash immediately started attending school and continued
his education immideatley upon arriving in San Jose.
“Making friends at school was tough at first,” said Cash.
“Everyone already knew each other, and I was the new kid from a different
country, so it was hard to fit in.”
After graduating school, Cash explained he knew it was
time to make some life changing decisions.
“My mother and I were at the movies, and my brother
called and said he needed my help,” said Cash. “Before I realized what was
going on, we were both standing in front of a Marine Corps recruiting office. I
have several family members in all branches of the service, except the Marine
Corps. My brother and I committed that day to becoming the first.”
It wasn’t long after that both of the Cash brothers were leaving
to attend recruit training with plans to graduate together.
Unfortunately Johnny’s brother suffered a hand injury and
was held back to another company to ensure a full recovery before continuing on
with recruit training.
“I was hoping our mother could call us both Marines on
the same day, but unfortunately things didn’t work out that way,” said Cash. “I
know my brother though; he’s strong and will pull through and earn his title Marine
just as I did.”
Cash looks back at recruit training with a few fond
memories.
“A couple things I enjoyed the most about recruit
training was learning how to shoot during range week and also field week, where
we learned how to navigate with a map and compass,” said Cash. “The instructors
thought it was pretty awesome that I have the same name as Johnny Cash, the
country singer. While we were on the firing line, my instructors asked me what
I was doing so I could reply to them by saying ‘I walk the line’ which is a
country song by Johnny Cash. The instructors also liked to ask me if I fell, where
would I fall into, and I would reply by saying ‘a ring of fire,’ which is also
another Johnny Cash song.”
Recruit training had its tougher challenges as well,
explained Cash.
“The Crucible was tough to conquer,” said Cash. “I
remember reaching the top of Reaper Mountain and thinking to myself that I
finally made it, and I am finally a Marine. I have never experienced a greater
feeling than that.”
Now that the new Marine has earned his place among United
States Marines, he will continue his schooling at Marine Combat Training in Marine
Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then on to his military occupational
specialty school to learn his profession of communications.
I can’t wait to see what my career
has in store for me,” said Cash. “I also can’t wait to see my brother graduate
and earn his title as a Marine. This first Marine Cash brothers.”