Sgt. Eric P. Roby knew he wanted to join the military, so he did. He knew he wanted a job in the military that would challenge his mind as well as his body, so he got it. Now Roby is heading toward his goal of being a Marine Corps officer.
What keeps this 23-year old Lima, Ohio, native motivated and striving toward these goals? The people.
"That's my favorite part of the Marine Corps," said Roby, Communications Center Chief, C Company, 9th Communications Battalion deployed here. "I look at the people. (We) come from completely different backgrounds ... and completely different areas, but you can go to different exercises ... or get deployed (together) ... and you develop a bond with each other.
"(This bond) is a lot deeper than most relationships with friends," he continued. "It doesn't matter what your interests are. When it comes right down to it, there's always someone there for you."
Roby joined the Army Reserves in the summer of 1997 after graduating from Lima Central Catholic High School, but two-and-a-half years later he started looking for something a little more permanent.
"I went to the mall one day, and a guy in a high-and-tight [haircut] started talking to me about the military," related Roby. "We traded stories, and he asked me why I didn't go active duty. I told him that I was trying to do that. He said he was a sergeant in the Marines, and that if one of the Marine Recruiters couldn't get me in as active duty, then nobody could."
That was good enough for Roby. He took his fiancé, Melissa Cleland, with him to the Marine Recruiter's office to see about getting himself onto active duty.
"Melissa knew the military was what I wanted to do," said Roby, "and I think she saw a chance for me to do something that would make me happier. In fact, she asked the recruiter more questions than I did. She wanted to make sure I got a (job specialty) that was more than just physical (work). I wanted (a job) that was semi-technical."
Roby got what he wanted. He and Cleland married March 24, 2000, and five days later he headed to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. After 13 weeks at recruit training and eight weeks at the Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School, Twentynine Palms, Calif., training to become a small computer systems specialist, Roby reported in to C Co., 9th Comm. Bn., Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Since arriving at C Co. almost two years ago, Roby has deployed in support of three different training exercises overseas and is currently on his second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was meritoriously promoted to corporal June 2, 2001 and meritoriously promoted to sergeant July 2. Roby applied for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning and Education Program, with his eye on becoming a Marine Corps officer.
"I think it's a great idea," said Staff Sgt. Jack M. Terrell, Radio Chief, C Co., 9th Comm. Bn. "I think he'll make a good Marine officer. He's been (enlisted) in both the Army and the Marine Corps, so he knows what troops go through. If he ever has to go to combat, (that experience) will make him a more effective leader."
Roby found out Oct. 9, with the release of Marine Administrative Message 545/02, that he has been selected for the MECEP. He looks forward to attending Ohio State University next year.