Marine

That has been the thought process of West Hempstead's Cpl. Suresh Mathen, training noncommissioned officer, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical section, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as he prepares for his second trip to Officer Candidates School this month.
       "Corporal Mathen is an exceptional Marine," said Sgt. Jeremy D. Laux, NBC section's staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, MAG-11. "Mostly because of the fact that he is always trying to outdo himself. He's always trying to outdo everyone around him, but he is also always in competition with himself. He is a perfectionist."
      According to Lance Cpl. Joseph Harris, NBC defense specialist, MAG-11, Mathen is very dedicated to his work.
      "He often stays late, well into the night, to complete things that may not need to be done till the following day," said Harris. "He certainly gets the job done."
      However, Mathen's start in the Marine Corps didn't happen directly after high school. It wasn't until he was well into college before the idea of becoming a Marine came to him.            
      "When I was in college, I was impressed with the way Marines presented themselves, how they never backed down and how they stood up for what was right," said Mathen, 23. "I met a Marine Corps recruiter there. He asked me what kind of job I was looking for, a blue- or white-collar job. I said I was looking for a white-collar job and applied to OCS."
      According to Mathen, his initial experience at OCS was cut short due to his adverse reaction to the area's harsh climate.      
       "I dropped out from being a heat casualty," he said. "I wasn't properly adjusted to the weather at Quantico, (Virginia). It was very humid there. A lot of people were dropping out due to being heat casualties - even prior enlisted."
      After an early departure from OCS, Mathen came to a crossroads in his life.
       "After I dropped out of OCS, I just couldn't believe that it happened," Mathen said. "I thought to myself that I had failed. I didn't feel like a Marine but I didn't feel like a civilian any longer either. I was between worlds."
      Although Mathen had been dealt a major setback in his career, he wasn't ready to give up being a Marine.
      "When I finished my last year of college, I began to think that there was more to this organization than I thought," said Mathen. "Maybe if I did a little more homework on it I could try again. Throughout my life, that is how I've been. I won't give up on anything I'm going for. If it gives me hell, I'll give it hell back."
      Determined to be a Marine, Mathen decided to join the Corps on the enlisted side.
       "The best way I thought I could learn to be a better officer was to go enlisted and see that side of the Marine Corps," said Mathen. "I am returning to OCS in June and this time it will turn out better. It's do or die this time."
      Fortunately, the relentless corporal received his chance for redemption after applying for the Enlisted Commissioning Program.
       "He submitted an ECP package December 21, 2004, to Headquarters Marine Corps," said Laux. "The package is basically your entire life's story. You also have to go up before a review board where three officers will judge you on different things. It is a big selection process to go through."
      According to Laux, Mathen is much more prepared to succeed at OCS today than he was on his first attempt.
       "He is either going to put forth 110 percent of his effort to complete this task or not even attempt it," said Laux. "He will give his best and settle for nothing less."
Editor's note: Hoke writes for the Web site Marines.mil. Comments about this story? Mal-wheditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 240.