CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan -- Two months ago, he was in a classroom, taking notes during a finance class at the University of Illinois in Chicago and working part-time during the day where he started at 10 a.m.
Now, he wakes at 4:45 a.m., works till 8 p.m. and has no need to take notes because he is no longer in the classroom.
He didn’t drop out of college and he didn’t get a new job. He is fulfilling his word to serve and protect. At the beginning of March, he was activated.
“I love being a Marine,” said Lance Cpl. Hau Tran, electro optical ordnance repair man, Command Element, Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2010 and native of Chicago. “It’s made me mature a lot more than I would have just going to college and also helps me pay for college. And it gives me a drive to succeed in class. The best part is I get to experience the brotherhood of the Marine Corps and do what civilians don’t.”
Tran and more than 250 other reservists have come from 30 reserve stations across the United States to participate in the annual exercise Land Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2010. This exercise is a series of bilateral training evolutions, with a mission of maintaining and improving the interoperability with Southeast Asian countries.
The Marines of the LF have left their civilian life, whether taking time off from work or missing a trimester of school, to put on the uniform and serve their country.
“It’s like being ripped from one life and being stuck into another,” Tran said. “The hardest part of deploying is you think you put your life on hold – but you didn’t. Your life is still moving, your friends and your family.”
As a reservist, each Marine balances separate lives as a civilian and as a Reserve Marine, knowing the call to serve could come at a moment’s notice.
“Yeah, I may put on my uniform once a month but I am a Marine year round – I act accordingly because when the world looks at it they aren’t going to see a reservist, they are going to see a Marine,” Tran said.
For Sgt. Max Zaruba, having the opportunity to deploy with the LF exemplifies why he joined the Marine Corps.
“This is an opportunity to further myself in the Marine Corps,” said Zaruba, squad leader, 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company A, and native of Wankesha, Wis. “The places I get to see, the respect and the experience – being a Marine.”
Also, for Zaruba having a leadership position as a squad leader gives him the drive to lead when he is out of uniform.
“Being in charge of a squad of Marines gives me more of a leadership role in my civilian life,” he said. “I take charge anywhere, my job, my friends, anytime and anywhere, I just take charge.”
Deployment and activation can always be a stressful time, but for Tran one thing stands out that is different from being back home and in the classroom.
“When I am back home I am with friends, but here I am with brothers,” Tran said.