STAFF WRITER
KELLY OGIBA

An average student at Fisher can undergo many vigorous activities in a month. These obstacles can range from waiting in a lunch line for 10 minutes, trying to find a parking spot, coping with pounds of laundry or dealing with loads of homework.

However, some students choose bravely to go above and beyond what they are asked to do.  They take on a new responsibility, face immeasurable amounts of pain and offer to pay the ultimate sacrifice in honor of their country. One such student who does so is Nate Shaw, a United States Marine.

The United States Marine Corps. was established on Nov. 10, 1775 in Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, Pa.  The Marine Corps is a Department of the Navy, and the smallest branch of the United States Military.

Shaw enrolled at Fisher during Fall 2004 after graduating from his high school in Silver Creek, N.Y. Though education is highly important, second semester sophomore Shaw wanted something more, and found it.

“Marines are all brothers, we fight for each other.  The stories of Marines jumping on grenades to save others, yeah, those are true, commitment to the team, to the family.  It’s what we do, and is who we are,” Shaw said.

Shaw has been around the Marines since he was a young boy. His grandfather was in the Army and his father was in the Marines also. To continue the tradition his twin brother became a Marine and his older brother as well. A majority of Shaw’s friends also joined.

Shaw started bootcamp after completing his first semester as a sophomore. As he stepped off the bus at Parris Island, S.C., he knew he had stepped into a whole new world, “Hell.”

“The physical aspect of the Marines is something I had tried hard to prepare for.  I’d like to think that I pushed myself to my limits,” Shaw said. These challenges included long distance runs, pull-ups, infiltration courses and martial arts.

Distance was not hard for Shaw, since he was used to being away from home at college. It was not the physical demands either that caused serious adjustments, but the mentality of the atmosphere.

“The hardest part of bootcamp was the mental aspect: how you deal with the stress, how you cope. It is tough to be able to handle the consistent yelling and in-your-face attitude of a drill instructor,” Shaw said. “And I even had my birthday in bootcamp, which was different, usually you have cake, I had a drill instructor in my face.”

Many movies today such as Full Metal Jacket and Jarhead, try hard to depict and demonstrate the reality of Marines and their life. It offers Americans an outlet to try and understand what one should be thankful for and proud of.

“They show the experiences and trials of the Marines really accurately except they are not allowed to strike you anymore,” Shaw said.

After completing bootcamp, Shaw moved on to combat training in Camp LeJeune, in Jacksonville, N.C. Here he learned weapon usage and tactics. From May to July, Shaw was stationed in 29 Palms, Calif. in the Mojave Desert for Field Radio Operator Course.  Today this is his primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).  Shaw has received the National Defense Medal, The Rifle Marksmen badge and the Private First Class promotion.

Yet Shaw’s commitment is not done. He currently is stationed with the Rochester Reserve Unit in Chili, N.Y.

“It is a continuous honor and duty that does not end.” Shaw has the choice to be in the reserves for 20 years, receiving full benefits after that time is up. However, it is still early to definitely determine any such plans.

“It depends where my life is headed but I love what I am doing right now. I plan on being a high school history teacher someday perhaps,” Shaw said.

 Shaw’s love of history has played a major role in his interest in the Marines, since tradition and history are valued in the Marines.

Currently, there have been many controversial issues regarding the United States’ involvement in the war. Picketing and riots against sending men overseas can be seen clearly and daily in the media. Though he has not been overseas yet, Shaw understands the seriousness and possibility of getting called to action. A strong aspect that he points out is that no attack has been made on American soil since the men have gone overseas and since Sept. 11, 2001.

“I don’t have political views but I do support the war, my government and my president whoever he/ she is. But I do not like people who complain about the war, the government and Bush. These people go to college, think they’re educated so they speak their mind like they know something other people don’t.  I dare these people to do what I’m doing.”

Email address:
kao00179@sjfc.edu