CAMP AL QAIM, Iraq -- "When I was a kid, I was getting into trouble a lot. I needed something that would straighten me out. I knew the military was the good way and the Marine Corps was the best way," explained Cpl. James D. Fay, a nuclear, biological and chemical defense specialist with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.The South Hadley, Mass., native decided that being deployed to Iraq was the perfect time to think about his future and possibly continue his career with the Corps."Being here gives me sometime to think about and get my thoughts in order. I think a lot about what I want to do when my four-year contract is up," said the 2002 South Hadley High School graduate.The 21-year-old originally joined the Marine Corps to escape the path he was on and discover a way to get ahead in this world."I've wanted to join since I was a kid because growing up you fantasize about being a hero, and that's what Marines are," Fay continued. "I became an NBC Marine because I wanted something to fall back on and have a good training foundation to continue my education and eventually go to college."Before enlisting in the Marine Corps, Fay spent his time doing something that many people might consider heroic."I had a couple of little odd jobs here and there, but for about a year in high school, I worked with mentally and physically impaired people," Fay said.Fay learned a lesson in life from his time working with handicapped people."I learned that you should always try to help people no matter what the circumstances might be. That also led me to the Corps," he explained.In Iraq, Fay serves as a watch clerk in charge of keeping track of all information coming into the combat operations center."Marines outside the wire are counting on you to record information they pass. The most important trait out here is discipline, doing your job, thinking ahead and maintaining your professionalism," he explained.Fay believes that being deployed to Iraq for the first time will help him in his future ventures.Anytime you go into a country where living standards and conditions are lower than what you're used to, you will come out a better person because of it. You appreciate everything you have," he continued. "Seeing what it's like out here shows you that freedom is worth fighting for and it's our duty to help people who don't have it obtain it."Despite the long deployment before him, Fay thinks that it will go quickly and be as easy or as hard as he makes it."It's not hard out here for me. I love and miss my friends and family back home, but I just have to focus on being a Marine and doing my job," he explained.While Fay does his job and serves his country while deployed to Iraq, the environment has inspired him to start thinking about his future, especially with the Corps since his four-year contract will be over in a little over a year."I've been thinking about it out here and I'm not sure if I want to continue NBC, change military occupational specialty or get out and go to school. I can't find any reason not to reenlist right now," he said.