With Honor

Student Marine balances school, military

It’s early Monday morning and junior Brandon Call is nowhere near ready to face classes yet. He wipes the sleep out of his dark-brown eyes and swats at the snooze button as his alarm buzzes obnoxiously nearby. Silence is restored as he rolls over for a few more minutes of uninterrupted sleep, which after his weekend, are desperately needed.

Unlike many JMU students, Brandon hasn’t spent his weekend partying all hours of the night. While his friends have been drinking beers and watching football, this 21-year-old communications major has been standing watch, running fire exercises and learning hand-to-hand combat methods at drill weekend with the U.S. Marine Corps.

"It’s rough," Brandon said. "You’re sleep-deprived, dirty, uncomfortable and dead tired. But you’re also motivated."

Motivation is the driving force behind Brandon’s passion and dedication to the Marines. From an early age in Poquoson, VA, he was fascinated with World War II stories, frequently watching the Discovery Channel’s "Wings" and "G.I. Diary" programs and playing war games with his cousins in the backyard.

But the real spark behind Brandon’s desire to join the armed forces came from watching the movie "Saving Private Ryan."

"I had just gotten home from work and my parents were watching it," Brandon said. "When they were done, I watched it again. That movie made me realize just how much I had, and how so many people had given up their lives so I could have mine. It just didn’t seem fair that I wasn’t doing anything."

So Brandon delayed his enrollment at JMU and enlisted in the Marines. The next few months at boot camp were some of the hardest of his life, he remembers.

"The day I graduated Parris Island and received my Eagle Globe Anchor, that was the proudest day of my life," Brandon said. "I had been through hell and back, but at the graduation ceremony, my commanding officers shook my hand and finally addressed me as a Marine. I knew then that all I had been through was worth it." Brandon has been a reservist for the past three years, and will be until 2009, when his term is up.

Following graduation, Brandon finally was able to enroll in JMU and become a full-time student. Yet, his reserve Marine duties were never far behind. For the past three years, Brandon has balanced a full course load with monthly drill weekends, which often interfere with his studies.

"Drill weekend completely messes me up during the week," he said. "Sometimes I have to miss classes, and then I end up missing work and have to dig myself out of this hole. Add to that my exhaustion after drill, and I have to be really careful not to get behind."

But Brandon has a support system that helps keep him focused. His parents, whom he lovingly describes as "standard blue collar" people, are very encouraging and dedicated to helping him succeed.

"My family is incredibly supportive of what I’m doing," Brandon said. "They realize how demanding school and my commitments to the Marines can be, and even though they’re worried for my safety, they do everything they can to stand by and support me."

Brandon leans on their support more than ever now. The war in Iraq is a constant reminder of what he has been trained to fight for, yet his unit has been passed over for duty three times now, most recently in November. However, Brandon said that the fact he hasn’t gone to war in the past three years is astonishing.

"It’s really only a matter of time before I go," Brandon said. "My unit has been prepared for this, and I know that when we’re told it’s our time to go to Iraq, we’ll be ready. There’s always a fear of combat, but as long as you put your faith in God, trust the Marines you’re with and focus on your task, you’ll be O.K."

His attitude epitomizes the Marine motto. Brandon lives by the expression "Semper Fidelis," which means "Always Faithful," in every aspect of his life. He describes himself as someone who values honesty, trust and loyalty and prides himself on maintaining these qualities.

"Brandon has always been such a stand-up guy," senior Kyle Dolph said. "He’s always there for his friends when they need him, and is always there to offer advice. He’s someone you can truly call a real friend. The Marines are lucky to have him."

Senior Brian Weireter echoes those sentiments. "I’ve never met a more loyal person," he said. "Brandon will have your back for life without question. I’d trust him with my life in a second."

While his friends see these qualities in Brandon, he feels the most important thing joining the Marines has done for him is make him a better man.

"The Marines have made me appreciate integrity so much more," he said. "I never take anything for granted anymore, and I truly understand the beauty of perspective. I’m so thankful for the life I live."

So while Brandon’s commitments weigh heavily on him, he firmly believes he made the right decision.

"I have absolutely no regrets about joining the Marines," Brandon said. "It’s completely worth it. Every time someone shakes my hand, buys me a beer, pats me on the back and thanks me for what I’m doing, I know I was meant to do this."

Brandon rubs his short black hair with his hand, his piercing eyes deep in thought. "You know, I really am blessed," he said. "Every time I’m up at four in the morning, scared about some test I have and how I’m not ready for it, I think about where I’ve been. I think about how I was filthy, exhausted, running around with 60 pounds of gear on my back, getting run into the ground, being yelled at, not eating and hating everything, and I realize just how good I have it. I wouldn’t trade my life for anything, and the Marines taught me that."

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