LCPL JUSTIN SHOOPMAN 1:41

Lance Corporal Justin Shoopman. I’m from Goshin, Indiana, which is in the northern part of the state. I went to Fairfield High School. My entire family has a long distinguished military history. When I was younger I didn’t know quite what service I wanted to join but then when I got to college I was in Air Force ROTC and I was looking for something just a little bit different. The Marines is something I was really looking into. I love the fact they value discipline, honor, courage which are things that I always looked up to when I was younger, growing up. It’s just their intense dedication to what they do and what they believe in is something that really attracted me to the Marine Corps.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling when people come up to you—I mean I have veterans come up to me all the time or just people who have never served, they come up to me when I’m in uniform and shake my hand. They tell me how much they appreciate what I do for them and how much it means to them. It really gives you a good feeling and really validates why you do what you do. And the nice thing about the Marine Corps is it teaches you fundamental things that you need to be successful in your life and discipline, the ability to work through your problems, that kind of thing, to accomplish your goals, your mission. That’s what the Marine Corps is all about. I love my country. I believe in what this country stands for: for liberty, for justice, for freedom for everybody and there has to be people that defend that. I have a strong sense in myself that I was meant to do that and that is one reason why I serve.