CAMP AL QAIM, Iraq -- When Sgt. Matthew I. Campbell decided to join the Marine Corps, he knew it was the life he wanted to lead.
And now that his five-year contract is nearing its end, he looks back on his career with a sense of accomplishment and looks to the future and this deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to determine whether or not he stays in.
After graduating from Valley View High School in 1995, the Moreno Valley, Calif., native worked for Gulf Stream Aerospace in the avionics department.
But after a few years, Campbell decided it was time to travel and start down the path he wanted to live.
"I always wanted to be a Marine, and I wanted to get out of California and see the rest of the country and different parts of the world. Plus I would get paid to do it," he explained.
Campbell joined the Marine Corps in 2000 and signed a five-year contract to be a machine gunner with a security forces option.
"I've been shooting since I was about five and this was a good opportunity to use different weapon systems," Campbell said.
He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and finished his basic machine gunner instruction at the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Campbell then made his way to Chesapeake, Va., to security forces school for two months where he learned how to provide security using different tactics and techniques.
"After school, I was sent to Kings Bay, Ga., guarding naval special assets for six months before I went to close quarters battle training. I was the honor graduate and high shooter of the class," he explained.
In June 2003, he was assigned to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C., with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment where shortly after his arrival he was deployed to Cuba as a part of the Anti-terrorism Task Force.
"It was a good experience. But, I just recently got married to my wife, Vanessa, so it was kind of hard in that sense," he explained.
Campbell was recently appointed the Battalion Gunner's assistant and the battalion's training noncommissioned officer.
"I assist in all of the battalion level training and I'm the chief machinegun instructor," he said.
His current deployment to Iraq that began in February will be the deciding factor in his decision to reenlist.
"It all depends on how this deployment goes and how my wife handles the stress of the deployment. I'm still looking forward to doing my job out here and making sure that all my Marines make it home, but I can't wait to get home to my wife and son," he explained.
Even if Campbell decides to get out of the Marine Corps, he knows what he has gained because of his service and knows what he wants to do.
"Being a Marine has given me a better work ethic, I'm better at working under pressure. If I get out I still want to work with weapons and training," he explained.
Campbell is faced with big decision to make, but is confident he will make the right one.
"When you have a big choice to make you have to do your research and know what you're getting yourself in to. I know I'll make a good choice, but looking back on the path of my Marine Corps career, I wouldn't change a thing," he explained.