Corporals renew commitment

[thedrifter]

Corporals renew commitment
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification Number: 2003101715160
Story by Lance Cpl. Shawn J. Vincent



MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Oct. 16, 2003) -- Being a Marine is a lifetime, full-time commitment, and can sometimes require extra hours on the job. Marriage takes the same commitment.

Having both responsibilities thrown into one life takes a great deal of dedication and loyalty, which takes take a toll on the person.

To learn the happy medium of balancing the two jobs is a precious commodity that only a few people can handle.

Corporals Tina J. Woodruff and Palmer W. Woodruff, Provost Marshal's Office, showed dedication to self, country, the Corps, and their 6-month-old son, Teigan Woodruff on Oct. 9, in a joint reenlistment ceremony in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Col. James W. Lukeman, Security Battalion commanding officer, Provost Marshal's Office, said the Iwo Jima Memorial was an impeccable spot to hold the reenlistment because it symbolized their hard work, dedication and selflessness to each other and to the Marine Corps.

Fate relentlessly placed the twosome in their parallel Marine Corps careers. The couple, who were married Nov. 9, 2002, the day before the birthday of the Marine Corps, have spent nearly their entire enlistment together.

"I think we both knew all along that we were going to reenlist," Tina Woodruff said.

After going through military police school at the same time, both were stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, and crossed paths while standing main gate watch together.

"We talked to our monitor and luckily both got to be stationed here at Quantico together," Tina Woodruff said.

According to Palmer Woodruff, the couple's new enlistment is a large stepping stone in their Marine Corps careers.

"We're taking it four years at a time," Palmer Woodruff said.

Tina Woodruff said their joint goals for their next enlistment will take the couple down to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., where they will take turns being drill instructors.

"He will go first, while I am an MP, then when he finishes, I plan on going," she said.

As for their son, Teigan, there is no pressure on him to follow in his parent's footsteps.

"If he wants to become a Marine, we will fully support him, but we want him to know that we love him either way," she said.



Cpl. Palmer W. Woodruff, left. and Cpl. Tina Woodruff, right, report to their commanding officer and company First Sergeant while reenlisting in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial here Oct. 6.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Shawn J. Vincent

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...C?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger