Two former Becker High School students recently returned to the area after completing boot camp to become Marines and serve in the United States military.

 

Thomas James Gasperlin and Dylan Dean Gruba both knew for a long time they’d one day don a uniform in the Armed Forces. Gasperlin said he’d always had an interest in the military and appreciates those who have served over the years.

 

“I've had an interest in the military since I was a little kid,” Gasperlin said.  “I really like military history too. I wanted to serve my country and be challenged.”

 

Gruba echoes that sentiment, coming from a family deeply entrenched in the armed forces. His parents are Dean Gruba and Kari Westby (BTYR) and his stepfather is Dan Westby, a staff sergeant with the National Guard.

 

“I've always wanted to serve in the military to make a difference and to be part of the few who defend our freedoms,” said Dylan.

 

Gasperlin said boot camp was the biggest challenge of his life so far. Gruba said there was nothing easy about boot camp but getting mail from home kept him going.

 

 “I looked forward to it  (mail) everyday,” he said. “Boot camp was rough. The ‘gas chamber’ was the hardest thing in bootcamp. You can't breathe and there's throw up and snot all over from other recruits.”

 

Gasperlin had a slightly different experience.

 

“The hardest part was ‘the crucible,’ he said. “It was physically and mentally challenging, but at the same time exciting.  Shooting my weapon was probably the easiest.”

 

Gruba is in the Marines to learn to be an engineer equipment operator. He will be training at Camp Pendelton in South Carolina for a month, then Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. After that, he will be assigned to a permanent duty station.

 

Gasperlin is training to become an aviation mechanic and will be stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. His training company is titled, India Company.

 

Gasperlin may make the military a life-long commitment, but if his path gets steered, he’s making plans for other options.

 

“If I don't stay in the Marine Corp as my career, I will take my trade and work in the airline field as a mechanic or I may go to college and become a history teacher or pilot,” he says.

 

Gruba joined the Marines to learn job skills such as leadership as well as specific job skills for working with big equipment.

 

“I'll be done with contract in four years,” he said. “I’m not sure what is in store after that.”

 

Though boot camp was tough and being part of the United States military isn’t always a picnic, Gasperlin and Gruba are huge promoters of their career choices and encourage all youngsters to keep the military in their back pockets as an option after high school.

 

“Start looking at it (military) early, in your junior year of high school,” Said Gasperlin. “Weigh your interests with all the options.  Get involved in a ‘Delayed Entry Program’ if you really want to pursue it because it will help prepare you for boot camp or basic training depending on what branch of the military you want to pursue.”

 

Gruba says joining the military will make one smarter and stronger.

 

“You will get to experience things you never would as a civilian,” Gruba says. “You can travel to different places when you're working depending on where you're stationed.”

 

 When these two servicemen first start wearing the dress blues or even their combat utilities, a sense of pride rolls over them as well as a sense of accomplishment.

 

“Being a Marine, it's the only branch that you have to earn your title,” says Gruba. “All other branches, you're given the title when you join.”

 

 “I learned a lot during bootcamp,” he continued. “It makes you really evaluate your priorities and life. Earning this title was harder than I expected and you have to overcome things that you don't think you can when you're in the training.”

 

Gasperlin says that through bootcamp, he’s earned the right to wear the Marine uniform.

 

With all the media controversy surrounding the professional athletes dishonoring the military and the flag at games, these two fresh-faced Marines have soft and hard feelings about the issue.

 

“I'm sworn to protect our freedoms,” says Gasperlin. “But people are free to do that (kneel). I don't have to agree with it, but that is their right.”

 

 

 

Gruba competed in cross country while attending Becker High School. Gasperlin’s parents are Todd and Tammy.