Pvt. Thomas Rej by Vickie Grinder
Pvt. Thomas Rej
I asked Mr. Rej at what point did you know you wanted to be a Marine and his response was, “When I was a senior in high school I made my final decision. My dad was a Marine and I knew this was the path I wanted to take. He served his country and I wanted to do the same. The Marines is where I wanted to be.” Even though he had already answered my next question in his first response, I decided to ask it anyway! Why the Marines and not another branch of armed forces? Of course he smiled and said “My dad was a Marine, and I want to be a part of the elite.” His smile was worth a thousand words on that question. I proceeded to his Parris Island training and asked the preverbal question if there was any time during your training where you thought “I think I made a mistake” by joining the Marines. His answer was simple, “NO.” “I think the first five minutes upon arrival to Parris Island the thought may cross your mind; but I knew this was the path I wanted and the path I was going to take.” After that statement from Pvt. Rej I found myself thinking I cannot imagine any American who does not realize the intense training both physical and mental the Marine Corp provides, which prompted my next question. I asked Pvt. Rej if there was ever a point throughout his training if he thought “I can’t do this or I am not going to make it?” Thomas Rej looked at me and nobly said, “Quitting was never an option. I never had the attitude of quitting even when it became tougher.” If there is ever a time you may think of giving up on yourself, your platoon will not, you become each other’s strength.” He did say his training took him away from his family on Thanksgiving and Christmas. “This was the first time I was separated from my family during the holidays and I really missed them, that was tough! Your platoon bonds and becomes your family and that gets you through.” Thomas did say they had a special meal on Thanksgiving which he enjoyed. My next line of questioning would take us to the Crucible, the final journey you must complete before becoming a graduate of the US Marine Corp. For 54 straight hours, recruits’ endurance, teamwork and skills will be pushed to the limit. At the end of the Crucible, the new Marines receive their emblem and for the first time stand side by side with their instructors. I asked Pvt. Rej to tell me about this final phase of the training. Pvt. Rej told me there is much walking and hiking. “Platoons split up and your physical endurance is most certainly put to the test.” Pvt. Rej also said “The mental part of the Crucible is most challenging. In fact some tasks you must perform may not have solutions but you just keep trying.” Pvt. Rej smiled and said, “We all got blisters on our feet but you just don’t let it bother you, you keep going because you know you are almost finished and just hours from becoming a Marine.” I asked Pvt. Rej what his goal was now that he has completed the rigorous training and graduation of the US Marine Corp. Thomas proudly smiled and simply responded, “To be the best Marine I can be” Since this interview, Pvt. Rej has completed his combat training at Camp Geiger and is currently in the Midwest for further training. Congratulations Private Thomas Rej and to your family, you truly are an inspiration!
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