MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Some join the Marine Corps to serve their country, but there are other reasons or incentives that make the transition from civilian to a Marine sound a little better.
Some join to see new places, while others want the college money. Still others come for the job skills and work ethic you learn.
But what about desire?
For Cpl. Kuodjou M. Nasah, of Douala, Cameroon, a country located in West Africa, it was simply desire that drove him to join the Marine Corps.
“Its just something I always wanted to do,” said the 29-year-old. “I wanted to do it before I got too old, but I wasn’t sure if I could since I’m not American.”
Nasah attended high school at Sacred Heart College (European School System) from 1991 –1993 where he played soccer, volleyball and ran track, before coming to America in March of 1994.
He and his family lived in Minneapolis, Minn., where he attended Bemiji State University and achieved a Bachelors Degree in broadcasting. A degree that would normally mean he could have joined the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer.
“You can’t be an officer if you’re not a citizen of America,” Nasah explained. “Even my recruiter didn’t know, so we both learned something new.”
Nasah is a personnel clerk for 2nd Marine Division Personnel Classification and Assignment Office.
“I did broadcasting in college for four years,” Nasah explained. “The same basic skills are required to do this job. Attention to detail, proficiency and the ability to read and write, which a lot of people take for granted.”
Deploying to Iraq is something that nobody should take for granted, and Nasah does not shy away from the possibility of going.
“You should not have joined the Marine Corps without expecting to go [to Iraq],” Nasah said. “We’re an expeditionary force. When they call me, I will go. It’s my job.”
Nasah doesn’t shy away from it but a deployment does warrant concern in his family.
“My family is supportive, but they are concerned of course,” Nasah said. “I will do my best to help fellow Marines and myself come home.”