Eilhardt, Josh, Sgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
The appearance of a quest for perfection is what I first saw in the Marines. Although as an organization the Marines will never be perfect, they are constantly trying to better themselves. It was that kind of motivation that fueled the desire to begin the quest to earn the title of "United States Marine."

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
As a Motor Transport Operator, I have been to some unique units and I am still 'young' in my career. So far being stationed at MCRD San Diego has been the wild card of units I've been with. This is a completely different monster to tackle, I would not recommend this duty station to Marines that prefer the more field side of the Marine Corps.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
I participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Although my platoon was not in direct combat, we did our part to get the supplies where they needed to go. We saw our share of misfortunes and tragedy, yet we stuck it out and all came home. That is the greatest outcome of a deployment in my opinion, all coming home alive and well.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
The Marine Corps Recuit Depot to date has been my least favorite duty station. This installation cares more about the show they perform to families on a weekly basis, than taking care of its Marines and keeping the Marine's combat readiness skills up to date. Its all show and no go. Unsat.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
It would have to be a recovery mission at 0100 in Afghanistan in an MK 48/16/M870A2, way to go CLB 5. Im glad my brother Cpl Joshua Clark was with me on that mission. Dragon Masters for life.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
My Combat Action Ribbon stands out to me as the most significant award earned to date. I earned that award, and It shows that when the rubber hits the road, you perform as a Marine should. Its a testiment to ones' ability to adhere to our core values in the face of fear, and remain Semper Fidelis

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal has the most significance to me because I have been around a lot of Marines who don't have one, and never will. So to me having been awarded that medal actually helps me to remember to think things through before acting impulsively.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Sgt Brad Wells has had the largest single impact on my professional development as a Marine. Although I have learned a lot from Sgt Wells, there are lots of Marines that have helped shape my career and development. Every Marine teaches us something about leadership, regardless if its positive or not.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I was at an undisclosed location, testing a mic for proper function, and decided to rehearse an un-named general officer's weekly speech when that general officer walked up on me and my un-named accomplice.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I am still active the Marine Corps, I am at MCRD San Diego. I am the Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region Protocol NCO.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the Veteran's group in Placerville, CA. It is great to go home and be able to spend time with the last generation of Marines and share experiences and stories.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The military instills a sense of urgency and attention to detail into everyone, some more than others. The core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment can be applied to every aspect to a person's life as well as the time honored trademark of the Corps motto of "Semper Fi."

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
The Marine Corps is what YOU make of it. Don't complain about not being promoted, cutting scores, your leadership, and/or your MOS. You need to seek out meritorious boards, good mentors, and find your motivation. The key is to get motivated, take your career into your own hands and make things happen. This will never happen if you're sitting in the smoke pit complaining to your friends. Never forget that from the moment your earn the title on top of the reaper or in some swamp in PI, you will always be a Marine, and everything you do will either have a positive or negative impact on the Corps reputation. Never forget that you uphold the proud traditions and legacy of the Marines that went before you, Marines of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have met a few new retired and active Marines from all sorts different MOS fields and stayed in contact with Marines I served with in past units.

DB 12/30/2016