MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Growing up as a self-proclaimed “Army brat,” Cpl. Steve C. Mercer, team leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, has been traveling his entire life. In addition to the many places that the Army sent his family, there are still more countries the Marine Corps has taken him. One of these countries is Rota, Spain, where Mercer was assigned for a two-year tour of duty.“When I was younger, I lived in Georgia, Alabama, Colorado, Germany and Belgium,” said the 22-year-old. “I was used to traveling since my dad was in the Army.”Mercer was an only child and took an interest in target shooting, computers, paintball, soccer and cross-country while in high school.After graduating from Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., Mercer took a year off while deciding what the next step in his life was going to be.“I always wanted to learn about cars, so I worked at Advanced Auto Parts for a year in Georgia,” said Mercer. “I had always planned on joining the military and my dad actually talked me out of joining the Army. He was an enlisted Marine before becoming an officer in the Army, and he said he wanted me to experience the esprit de corps that the Marines hold.”Mercer said his parents were happy when he told him his decision to join the Marines and his father was happy that Mercer decided to join the infantry.The Colorado native reported to boot camp in Parris Island, S.C., November 2002 and to the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, N.C., from there. After completing SOI, Mercer attended Basic Security Guard School in Chesapeake, Va.“It was on my contract when I joined that I would do the security job for two years, then serve the remainder of my contract as a ‘grunt,’” said Mercer. “It was a great experience to have that opportunity. I got to travel so much and train with foreign militaries.”Living in Spain and traveling to other foreign countries has given Mercer a much greater appreciation for what everyone has in America, he said. Before finishing his tour in Rota, he had become a designated marksman and a martial arts instructor.From Spain, Mercer received orders to his current duty station of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, where he joined Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.“I requested this unit because one of my squad leaders in Spain was actually in 3/3 at one time,” said Mercer. “Plus, I have wanted to go to Iraq for a long time now so it’s good timing to be with this unit.”Mercer said he hopes his experiences in his former military occupational specialty will benefit the unit, but he knows he has a lot to learn and gain from 3/3.After his four years in the Corps, Mercer said he will probably attend the University of Georgia, but has yet to decide whether or not he will remain in the Marine Corps.“I’m happy I decided to join the Corps rather than go to college right away,” said Mercer. “I learned discipline and gained experience that I never would have received if I had gone to college right after high school.”