Throughout the test of time, the Marine Corps has passed on numerous traditions such as uniforms, ceremonies, customs and courtesies and more to subsequent generations of Marines. These traditions become even more meaningful when you are able to share them with someone you care about.
More than 14 years ago, now Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Glydewell, the ordnance staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, enlisted in the Marine Corps.
Glydewell attended recruit training from Sept.14 to Dec. 2, 1994, and graduated with Platoon 3028, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
“I was the first in my family to join the Marine Corps,” Glydewell said. “I joined the Marine Corps looking for a challenge and I wanted to serve my country. At that point in my life, I was not ready to go to college.”
His influence to join the Corps was the ambition to be the best of the best. He has served as an aviation ordnanceman for the last 14 years, rising through the ranks and over time imparting his wisdom and esprit de corps on younger Marines.
Now, he has one more junior Marine to guide through the years. One that he will look upon as much more than the average Marine fresh out of recruit training.
His son, Pfc. Jacob Hall, graduated recruit training Dec. 12 with Platoon 2089, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, aboard the depot.
Although Hall initially did not plan to join the military, moving around and experiencing the military life while he was younger prepared him for this lifestyle.
According to Hall, he eventually joined the Corps to be part of the greatest fighting force and become an aviation ordnance technician like his father.
“I decided to be part of the air wing in order to travel,” Hall said. “Its very appealing to work with billion dollar equipment.”
“I was actually surprised when he said he wanted to join the military – especially the Marine Corps,” Glydewell said. “As for the path he has chosen to this point, I am extremely proud and honored that he would follow in my footsteps.”
“I plan to do my first four years and hopefully pick up sergeant and see where my path goes from there,” Hall said.
Hall’s influences came from both his mother, who retired after 20 years in the Navy as a Fleet Marine Force corpsman and Glydewell.
“After going through recruit training, I think he appreciates and understands what (his mother and I) went through being deployed and now reunited with the family,” Glydewell said.
During the course of recruit training, the traditions of the Corps are passed down. Now that Glydewell’s son is serving in the military and in the same military occupational specialty, he has the opportunity to raise his son the Marine Corps way.
“I’m excited to share my experiences with my son now more than ever,” Glydewell said. “This way I can help guide him through his career while letting him make his own decisions.”