2nd Generation Marine Leaves Small Town Roots
(March 1, 2011) |
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Lance Cpl. Jonathan Rockey, a data systems specialist with the help desk, Combat Logistics 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C ., January 22, 2011. Rockey, a native Rochester, Ind., left his small-town roots to carry on the tradition of military service. |
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CAMP LEJEUNE,
N.C. (MCN - 2/25/2011) — From the quiet streets of
Indiana, to the hectic pace of Marine Corps life,
Lance Cpl. Jonathon Rockey managed to make it a
smooth transition in joining his family business of
serving his country.
“I grew up in a
military family and always wanted to serve my
country,” said the data systems specialists with
Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics
Group. “Although it took me longer to get there, it
was worth the wait.”
The wait he refers to
is his age; he is 27 years old. Since he didn't
think he was ready for the commitment, Rockey worked
several jobs in factories around his neighborhood,
and waited a little longer to join than most of his
military-heavy family. He eventually made the jump
to Camp Lejeune, which has more than five times the
population of his hometown of Rochester, Ind.
Though he missed the small-town atmosphere, the
transition was easy due to the support he received
from his family full of service members. Their
guidance prepared him well for the journey that lay
ahead. The military influence in his life turned him
on to studying the history of the Corps long before
standing on the yellow footprints of recruit depot.
“Every part of our long, distinguished
history interests me,” he said. “I've always been a
pretty big history buff, coming from a military
family. When other kids were reading children's
books, I was reading books about military wars,
weapons, aircrafts and armor.”
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Even though he spent hours upon hours researching
the Corps, he has no one hero. He says his heroes
are the men and women who leave there loved ones
behind to help others thousands of miles away. “I
admire the people who try hard and do the right
thing even if it's not the easiest path, those are
my heroes,” said Rockey.
He credits this for
reinforcing his passion for the military, along with
his family, which he says is the reason he's where
he is today. His family has been there through thick
and thin, mentioned Rockey, which he says helps him
through the everyday grind that is associated with
the Marine Corps lifestyle.
“I just try to
do everything in my power to help my unit,” said
Rockey. “I work until I come to a point where I
can't help no more, and if the problem hasn't been
solved, I pass it on to someone who is more
knowledgeable than me.”
Aside from a long
military career, Rockey has much to look forward to.
He and his wife are awaiting the birth of their
first child – perhaps the next member of a proud
family of veterans to join the ranks of their
beloved Corps. |
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Article and photo by USMC Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado
2nd Marine Logistics Group
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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