Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk appears to be fertile recruiting ground for the U.S. Marine Corps, drawing youths who see the discipline of the corps as a source of pride and an opportunity to become a success in life.

Terlarrio Faulk, a 2003 graduate of Lakeland High School, is one of those who recognize that the Marines have instilled within him, values, pride and discipline that will stay with him forever.

&uot;By becoming a Marine, I feel I’ve set my course in life to a plan for success,&uot; said Private Faulk. &uot;I’ve learned to have confidence and self-discipline, and I take great pride in wearing the uniform of the United States Marine Corps.&uot;

Faulk, 19, said he believes that today’s youths lack discipline and that the Corps can make a positive impact upon their lives.

&uot;The Marines teach you that you must conquer yourself and your emotions before someone has to conquer you,&uot; he said. &uot;I believe that learning to control your anger and other negative emotions can only benefit you. Instead of venting anger, we are taught to solve problems. Marines are perceived by some people to be &uot;big and bad’ when actually, they are a well-disciplined and elite corps of men and women in service to this nation. You’d also be surprised at the fact that most of us strongly believe in God.&uot;

Faulk learned about discipline while in &uot;boot camp&uot; with the Marines. He said that although the training was tough, he finally made it through the rigorous exercise.

&uot;It has been an exciting and challenging new experience,&uot; said Faulk. &uot;Boot camp was tough, but OK. I injured my leg during the first part of my training, but I went back once it was healed and completed boot camp with First Battalion Alpha Company, and I’m now serving as a private but I don’t intend to be at this rank for very long. In just two more days I’ll make private first class.&uot;

While the Marines are a serious bunch, being a member of Alpha Company did have its moments while Faulk was in boot camp.

&uot;Even if you don’t have a sense of humor, you will definitely have one once you complete boot camp,&uot; he said. &uot;Its tough training but most often… we end up behind the &uot;racks’ (bunks) laughing at ourselves; all the time knowing that we will be carrying the torch for the Corps one day.&uot;

There are more than 34 occupational fields from which Faulk could have chosen a Marine career. His choice is to become a military lawyer in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps once he’s completed his training as a military police officer.

&uot;I plan to continue my education through the Marines,&uot; said Faulk. &uot;I am eligible to qualify for the Marine Corps College Fund and that will pay for my education.&uot;

Faulk said when he returned home to his Nansemond Square apartment, he discovered another good reason to go through boot camp.

&uot;I went to visit my old school, Lakeland, and even my own ex-girlfriends didn’t recognize me,&uot; he said with a big smile. &uot;I weighed over 200 pounds when I went into the corps, but they shaped me up real quick. I now weigh 150 pounds and I feel great. I have a lot more self-confidence and I have a sense of pride I never had before.&uot;

Faulk left for Camp Geiger, N.C., Oct. 28, where he will receive specialized training as a military police officer.

The Marine is the son of Pamela Faulk of Nancy Drive.