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 PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – One small town girl joined the ranks of our
nation's newest Marines Oct. 24, 2014, after battling several life
hardships and overcoming the challenges of Marine Corps recruit
training.
Pfc. Madihah Tomoney, 18, a native of Jasper, Fla.,
has spent her life helping others and wanting to be a positive
influence for her three sisters and younger brother.
Tomoney
grew up in a troubled household. Her mother struggled with substance
abuse for as long as Tomoney could remember, and her sisters became
mothers at an early age.
As an escape from her troubles at
home, Tomoney took up sports, which included track, softball,
basketball, soccer and cheerleading; this is where she met her
teacher, coach, mentor and youth pastor, Ruben Perez, and his wife.
“They were my role models,” she said. “They taught me everything
about how to be strong.”
They also helped her play
volleyball, which was her real passion, and fueled her desire to be
part of something more than herself.
As a prior sergeant in the Marine Corps, Perez lived by
the Corps' core values and carried them into the civilian
world by teaching Tomoney and other kids the importance of
honor, courage and commitment.
Tomoney graduated from
Hamilton County High School this year and initially planned
to go to college until she heard about her options in the
Marine Corps.
Tomoney wanted to prove to her family
that it's never too late to change, she said.
“We
knew she wanted a challenge, and I told her she should join
the Marine Corps,” said Perez.
Her mind was finally
made up when one of her close friends took her to meet with
a recruiter, and immediately, she fell for the passion and
love the poolees and Marines had for the Corps.
Tomoney arrived to Parris Island for recruit training July
28, 2014, and was assigned to Platoon 4036, November
Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion.
Her first
few moments were nothing but culture shock after stepping
off the bus and onto the yellow footprints.
“I asked
myself, ‘Why didn't I choose something easier?' but I knew
this is what I wanted, and I was ready,” she said.
While in training, Tomoney said the hardest thing for her
was just trying to prepare for the next day. As a recruit,
she lived one day at a time and responded to each challenge
out of necessity rather than desire.
After completing
several physical fitness sessions, arduous hikes and the
Crucible, Tomoney is on her way to start her Marine Corps
career as a legal administrator.
“It's not about what
the team can do for you. It's about what you can do for the
team,” she said, quoting one of Perez's team speeches. “The
Marine Corps requires you to sacrifice yourself for the
needs of others. I just want to help people, to give, to
save a life and, if need be, provide the ultimate
sacrifice.”
Article and photo by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. David Bessey
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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