MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii -- Everyone who is in the Marine Corps is in for their own personal reasons – some for a career, some for a change in lifestyle, and some who use the Corps as a stepping-stone that will take them to a better future.
Corporal Anthony P. Mitchell, intelligence analyst, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, joined the Marines with the hopes of finding a path to the career of his choice.
“When I was 17, I signed up in the Delayed Entry Program when I was in the middle of 11th and 12th grade,” said the native of Burlington, Colo. “I didn’t want my parents to have to pay my way to college, so the Marine Corps seemed like the best thing for me.
“I thought the Corps was the best of the best, and I didn’t want to feel like I took the easy way out, ” admitted Mitchell, who chose the intelligence field because it is the career field he wants to continue in when he leaves the Corps.
“My father really wanted me to make sure this was the right choice. He originally wanted me to go in as an officer, but I wanted to do college through (Marine Corps programs) so I just joined,” he added.
Mitchell left for recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, where he was placed in Platoon 2094, Fox Company. After completing boot camp and Marine Combat Training, he attended military occupational specialty school at the Navy/Marine Intelligence Training Center at Dam Neck, Va., October 2004.
“At first I didn’t think I could handle the physical aspect of boot camp, so I began running until I felt like I was up to par,” said the 20-year-old. “I realized it was tough, but after it was over, I thought it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting it to be.”
He reported to 3rd Marine Regiment April 2005 after completing his military schooling. From 3rd Marines, he transferred July 5, 2005, to 1/3.
“When I checked into 1/3, it was a lot different being part of a battalion,” he added. “But I wanted to deploy, so it was great.”
Mitchell completed a tour in Afghanistan in January 2006 with Charlie Company 1/3.
“For my first month in Afghanistan, I was on guard force; then they sent me to Asadabad to assist their intelligence cell,” he said. “I was nervous at first when I arrived there, but then I saw that Charlie Company was very squared away.”
Now with Alpha Company, Mitchell said he is looking forward to their upcoming deployment to Iraq.
“I’m looking forward to giving (Alpha Company) everything I have to offer to help them succeed in their mission,” Mitchell said. “I mean, don’t get me wrong I’m nervous, but I was a lot worse on my first deployment. Now I have a better idea of what to expect which somewhat eases my mind.”
Mitchell said the thought of coming home and making his family and friends proud is what’s going to keep him going while in Iraq.
“Corporal Mitchell always makes work a lot better, because of his sense of humor,” said Lance Cpl. Kevan S. Tatum, intelligence specialist, Headquarters and Service Company, 1/3.
The native of Coon Rapids, Minn., said he looks forward to deploying with Mitchell because he has prior deployment knowledge and isn’t a “do as I say, not as I do” leader.
“After this deployment, I’m unsure what I’m going to do,” Mitchell said. “I’m not rejecting the thought of reenlisting. I do want to continue in the intelligence field whether it be in the Corps or as a civilian. But, if I do get out, I’ve got a lot of memories and have met a lot of good people, so it was well worth it.”