Sergeant Ryan Enriquez

Lodi, NJ

I enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at the age of 17. It has always been a dream for me to serve in the Marine Corps and in 2001, the opportunity arrived. I joined just before 9-11, and when 9-11 occurred I still remember the day when my Drill Instructors told me one day, I will find myself on float or on deployment fighting for our country. I was deployed in OIF in 2003, and upon returning home, the experience empowered me to enjoy life, and pursue all my aspirations and dreams. I checked out of the Marine Corps as Sergeant. Therefore, I competed in a few bodybuilding competitions and had opportunities in modeling in New York. I was successful and excellent at everything I had done, and it always came back to the Corps Values, of honor, courage and commitment. If you apply those three principles, you will be successful in life. I recently graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a BA in Criminal Justice. Now that I obtained my college degree, I will return to the Marine Corps pursuing my commission, because there is no greater accomplishment than leading Marines. Semper Fi, Ryan Enriquez