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USS RUSHMORE - Every day Marines risk their lives in combat
overseas. Even in the most dire of situations, Marines can always
count on the dedication of Navy corpsmen at their sides to care for
them in the heat of battle.
One of these committed corpsmen
is Petty Officer 2nd Class Marcel O. Fucci, who serves with Health
Services Detachment, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine
Expeditionary Unit, deployed aboard USS Rushmore. Fucci, a
29-year-old native of Orlando, joined the Navy a week before the
events on Sept. 11, 2001. Working as a corpsman for more than 11
years, he has learned what it means to help others.
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Petty Officer 2nd Class Marcel O. Fucci, corpsman, Health Services Detachment, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks the blood-pressure of Master Gunnery Sgt. Jason Topp, operations chief, CLB-15, 15th MEU, in the medical department of USS Rushmore, April 24, 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy Childers)
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In 2005, Fucci deployed in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom, and now he is on his second deployment and his
first time serving on a Navy vessel at-sea. From the time of
his enlistment, and through his two deployments, he has
changed and developed as a sailor, but what has not altered
is his reason for enlisting.
“I chose to be a
corpsman because it was something I thought I would enjoy
doing, to help people,” said Fucci. “My first thought when I
decided to join the military was that I wanted be with the
Marines, but I also wanted to work in the medical field.
Being a Navy corpsman has allowed me to do that.”
Identifying himself with the Marines, Fucci voluntarily
decided to hold himself to the Marine Corps rules and
regulations. Choosing this road requires him to take the
same physical fitness tests and have the same uniform and
regulations that will eventually be evaluated for future
promotions.
“HM2 Fucci is a great corpsman, he does
his job very well,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel A.
Paez, logistics specialist, CLB-15, 15th MEU. “He keeps
himself to a higher standard. He even goes above and beyond
Marine Corps [regulations], a route many corpsmen do not
even choose.”
In his free time, Fucci tries to mentor
junior Marines and sailors as much as possible, saying, “I
relate to Marines as much as I do to sailors. The Marines
give me the same respect as if I was a Marine myself.”
Fucci has had many obstacles in his career, but he says
his greatest was when his wife was diagnosed with ovarian
cancer. It was at this point in his career when he realized
he had a very difficult decision to make.
“After we
found out she had cancer, we soon got the news that she was
also pregnant,” said Fucci. “From the cancer, my son was
born blind, and from there I had to decide if the Navy was
still for me. I felt after all they did for me, I had to
give back and continue to serve my country and still give my
family all the support I could.”
He has learned a lot
from his experience in the Navy. He learned the importance
of responsibility and how to be a good leader. He learned
not to take for granted the camaraderie between Marines and
sailors and the friendships he has made. Finally, he learned
to appreciate his work and his service to his country.
Fucci now looks forward to returning from his deployment
and seeing his wife and two sons. He also plans to compete
in the Armed Forces Pankration Wrestling Tournament and earn
the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin.
The
15th MEU is comprised of approximately 2,400 Marines and
sailors and is deployed as part of the Peleliu Amphibious
Ready Group. Together, they provide a forward-deployed,
flexible sea-based Marine Air Ground Task Force capable of
conducting a wide variety of operations ranging from
humanitarian aid to combat.
By USMC Cpl. Timothy Childers
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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