Q. Why did you join the military?

A. My father was an Army reservist, so I was exposed to the military early on. I was attending Villanova University, Pa., as the Vietnam War was winding down and was an accounting major. One summer at an accounting job I realized I just didn’t want to work as an accountant for a living. I walked out of that job at the end of the summer and signed on the dotted line at the recruiting station in Philadelphia.

Q. What was the best part of being in the military?

A. The ongoing challenges—there’s always something new to learn. It’s having that trust and confidence to make big decisions. Also the travel—one year you’re in the Philippines, the next year you’re in California.

Q. The worst?

A. Family separation. Even though it’s exciting to travel, at some point you miss first birthdays. One day your daughter is six months old, then she’s 18 months and walking. It’s a blur sometimes.

Q. You’ve been with the Marine Corps Marathon for a while now—what’s the appeal?

A. In the beginning the race was more about promoting the Marine lifestyle, then in the ’90s it became more about getting people off their couches. Now we have the battle against obesity going on nationwide, and we as an organization have a responsibility to address it. Fitness—especially marathon running—is a life-altering experience. When we get e-mails from someone who tells us they quit smoking or lost X number of pounds to run our race, that’s the best.

Q. You’re a runner—what keeps you hitting the pavement?

A. In the ’80s it was to go to Boston. ... Now it’s the social aspect of running 30 minutes with someone or finishing a race and maintaining a healthy balance.
 

For more information about the Marine Corps Marathon, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, visit www.marinemarathon.com. To learn more about other military road races, be sure to check out "Off and Running" in the June issue of Military Officer magazine.

Printable version

Email article