From overweight, 'old' man to Marine

The few. The proud. The not so young?

Todd Binkley graduated on Friday from the U.S. Marine Corps boot camp in Parris Island, S.C. And the 34-year-old Springfield man beat the odds to do so.

The cutoff age to join the Marines is 29, said Sgt. Steven Deardorff, a recruiter in Springfield. But Binkley sought and received an exemption to sign up.

“He had a lot of drive, a lot of motivation,” Deardorff said. “He knew what he wanted and wouldn’t let anything stop him from achieving it.”

It wasn’t easy.

Last June, Binkley weighed 340 pounds and had to lose about 100 pounds to qualify for the Marines. He then lost more weight during his 13 weeks in boot camp and now tips the scales at 192 pounds.

In boot camp, the average recruit is 19 or 20 years old, and Binkley was five years older than the senior drill instructor.

The age gap didn’t create problems relating to other recruits.

“Actually, I found myself in the position of being their parent,” Binkley said. “I helped keep them motivated, and at times they helped keep me motivated.”

Binkley has done a little bit of everything until now, including working in warehouses. But he always wanted to join the Marines.

“It basically is because of their history, being the finest fighting force and the respect that comes with it,” Binkley said of his desire to be a Marine.

His father served in the Army for 32 years and often encouraged his son to enlist.

Binkley’s father died last year, motivating him to act on the advice.

Soon he will leave for California, where he will spend a year in school for a position in computers and data systems.

“Going into the Marine Corps is probably the best thing I’ve ever done,” Binkley said

"Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure. "
George W. Bush

"...my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me." He added, after a pause, looking me full in the face: "That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave"

General "Stonewall" Jackson

"Oh bother," mumbles Pooh as he chambers another round.

CR6 to Cherokeekate - Another poser busted.  One shot one kill should be YOUR motto.  Or is it MOS?

"U.S. Paratroopers offer the enemy maximum opportunity to give his life for his country."

"This is H37 adjust fire over"