MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Most people who join the Marine Corps join with a goal, whether it is a long- or short-term goal, they have something they’re striving to achieve.
Lance Cpl. Phillip M. Cox, administrative specialist, Base Inspector’s Office, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, is one Marine who holds himself to a higher standard.
“I joined the Marines because I like a challenge and wanted that experience,” said Cox. “Another reason is leadership skills. I wanted to better myself and knew that this would be a very good way to do that.”
According to Cox, many members of his family are in the Marine Corps, and it was their influence that inspired him to join the Corps.
“I have an aunt who was just promoted to sergeant, my uncle is a staff sergeant and another uncle just retired as a gunnery sergeant,” said 20-year-old Cox. “My grandpa is a retired captain, so yeah my family had a major impact on my decision to join the Corps.
“My parents, on the other hand, were really against me joining, but as soon as I returned from boot camp, they were all for it.”
Cox said that he plans to eventually become an officer, because his grandfather was an officer and he looks up to him.
“I’ve had my own computer-based web publishing company for about seven years and didn’t expect it to get as big as it did,” said Chief Executive Officer of Kishima Enterprise.
“So I eventually want to do the BOOST (Broadened Opportunities for Officer Selection and Training) program and become an officer and turn my company over to the senior person in charge at the time.”
Cox is currently enrolled at Hawaii Pacific University and is studying Computer Science and Criminal Justice.
“I have the job I do in the Marine Corps, because I wanted to have enough free time to focus on college,” said Cox. “It was weird, owning a company, because I would ask my workers if I should join the Corps or go to college, and they would be like — ‘Why would you join the Marines? You’re already a boss.’
“The main goal is for my company to be self-sufficient so I can strive to reach some of my other goals,” said Cox.
“To be honest, my main goal is to be the first African American commandant of the Marine Corps,” said the Shawnee High School graduate.
“I love the Marine Corps. I mean, people hate it, but it’s really what you make of it. People make it hard on themselves. It’s probably the most fun thing I’ve ever done, and knowing that I’m bettering myself is always a good thing.”
Cox said that he strives everyday to be like Colin Powell.
“He’s an example of a person who does not let his personal affairs interfere with his goals, hopes and dreams,” said Cox, a Louisville, Ky. native. “So I shadow him because I can’t see me letting anything getting in the way of my future.”