Topsy

Transitions: Six years, but Semper Fi | Keith B. Ives

I grew up with my mother. A young but impressive single mom with a determination to make it – both for herself & my sister and me. She taught me a strong work ethic as I watched her put herself through college while working 2^nd shift as a police officer in Georgia. She and my father had met while serving in the Army. She got out, but stayed in the reserves. I grew up pretty... moreI grew up with my mother. A young but impressive single mom with a determination to make it – both for herself & my sister and me. She taught me a strong work ethic as I watched her put herself through college while working 2^nd shift as a police officer in Georgia. She and my father had met while serving in the Army. She got out, but stayed in the reserves. I grew up pretty independently. At 17 I had moved out and was working on my second year of college. That was until I hit a wall. Like most kids that age I didn’t have a clue about what I wanted to do with my life. My university was pushing for me to declare a major, but I wasn’t ready to commit. That summer I turned 18, was directing an adventure camping program near the Appalachian trail, and decided it was time to make a decision. That summer, August 25th, 2003 I walked into a recruiters office-The Marines would be the only choice for a guy whose mother was in the Army – and 3 days later I left for Paris Island. view page