Boos, Ronald, Jr., SSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
My dad is a Marine and served during Vietnam. He got out after 16 years before I was born and never talked about his time in so I never knew the Marine Corps life growing up. I was in 4th grade when my teacher first asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. "I want to be a Marine like my Dad" was my immediate response. I always knew that I wanted to be exactly like him and as I grew older I knew that he was the man that he was because of his time in.

After a couple of years in school my desire to serve never faltered but my intended branch of service had become cloudy. That was until when I took NJROTC in High School did I meet MSgt Sam Dotson. Top, as he insisted everyone call him, was the quintessential Marine in my eyes and just being around him and his complete Esprit de Corps stoked the flame of my desire to become a 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?
I was one of the lucky few to actually get the MOS I wanted when I joined, an Armorer.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
While I still have a few years of my career to go I would have to say my particular memory is split between the attacks on September 11th and my Combat Deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Primarily what I will always remember are not the events that took place or the grand scheme of things, it is and always will be the Marines that I had the pleasure of serving with during those pivotal events in my life.

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 Expert Rifle badge during boot camp because it not only was my first award but it was proof to myself that I could do anything I set my mind to.

My Combat Action Ribbon because that is the true essence of what we as Marines live our lives to do, take the fight to the enemy no matter what.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Corporal Allan Gene Hugo. He taught me what it meant to be a Marine and everything I know about being an Armorer.

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 currently the Armory Chief for 1st Battalion 9th Marines, The Walking Dead

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?
Joining the Corps at 17 I never had an adult life outside of the military. I would like to think that by joining I have learned to focus and really strive under pressure that would make my civilian counterparts fall apart.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Keep doing what you're doing and take care of your Marines, you work for them and they will make you shine every time.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I have found my Drill Instructors as well as mentors and friends that I have lost contact with over the years. Nothing can replace the bond that we share born from mutual sacrifice and willingness to always do whatever it takes for each other.

DB 7/1/2016