Fiber optic needs met by former ball player

Marine Corps News ^ | Jan 14, 2006 | Cpl. Ruben D. Maestre

[SandRat]

CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ (Jan. 14, 2006) -- The tall, soft spoken Texan joined the Marine Corps at the late age of 27. The married father of three children was looking for job stability to support his family, but he also wanted to somehow serve his country after it went to war.

“When the war started, I saw the military’s men and women in Iraq, and I asked myself, ‘Why am I too good to be over there?,’” said Cpl. Jack R. McNellie, a Mansfield, Texas, native, assigned to Electronic Maintenance Platoon, Charlie Company, 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD). “They’re [serving] so why am I not doing it?”

It had been a long road for McNellie since graduating in 1995 from Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas. The computer fiber optic technician attended college, and pursued minor league baseball for the San Francisco Giants organizations’ farm team, the Shreveport Captains, in Shreveport, La., prior to joining.

He left baseball in 2000 after a shoulder injury. Nearly three years later when he could have joined any branch of the military, McNellie, with his family’s support, decided the ideals and high standards of the Marine Corps was what suited him and his family best.

“I like the standards and structure of the Marine Corps,” said the 29-year-old. “What you get out of it is what you put into it. I like the fact that you can set yourself up for success if you do the right thing.”

McNellie arrived to the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based, 8th Comm. Bn., last February and less than six months later deployed for his first tour to Iraq.

At Camp Fallujah, the former high school athlete helps out by maintaining computers and lines of internet communication on the base—vital work for a 21st century modern military force.

“Corporal McNellie has learned much in his short time with [the battalion], applies his knowledge and teaches it on a daily basis,” said Sgt. Michael F. Reddy, 28, of Georgetown, Mass., and assistant head for the computer fiber repair section, Electronic Maintenance Platoon, Company C., 8th Comm. “His demand for excellence drives himself as well as other Marines to become better.”

Meritoriously promoted to lance corporal nearly two years ago during Marine Combat Training, McNellie continues to advance professionally as he serves both at home and abroad. During his time here, the central Texas native became the honor graduate during a Corporal’s Course held on the base.

“Corporal McNellie is the type of leader that Marines can come to with their problems as he never turns his cheek to a Marine in need,” said Reddy. “A saying that he learned at Corporal’s Course was, ‘If everybody in the Marine Corps was like you, what would the Marine Corps be like?’ Every section, platoon or unit should have more Marines like Corporal McNellie.”

The hard working and humble Texan takes praise in stride. He understands his technical role is just one small part in the Marine Corps team getting things done for 230 years.

“I grew up in a family based on traditions and the traditions of the Marine Corps appealed to me,” said McNellie. “I didn’t even look at the other services.”

[SandRat]

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – Corporal Jack R. McNellie, a Mansfield, Texas, native, assigned to Electronic Maintenance Platoon, Charlie Company, 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), strips fiber optic cables Jan. 10. The computer fiber optic technician attended college, and pursued minor league baseball for the San Francisco Giants organizations’ farm team, the Shreveport Captains, in Shreveport, La., prior to joining. McNellie is a 1995 graduate from Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas. Photo by: Cpl. Ruben D. Maestre

[SandRat]

MARINE COMMO

[Txsleuth]

Thanks for posting that...I was especially interested in him...because I live about a mile from Mansfield, Texas...

I am making note of his name...and will keep it and hopefully, I can see if his family needs anything while he is away...

[SandRat]

Good on You!!! A true Texan.

[Txsleuth]

It's in the water....lol

[JoeSixPack1]

Marine Corps Boot Camp at 27 years old is amazing!!

Semper Fi

[SandRat]

I always thought it was in the BBQ Sauce.

[Txsleuth]

Oh...I tried to get into a BBQ discussion last week with a freeper and was told that any and all BBQ discussions are off limits until NASCAR starts up!!! LOL

But, you are very correct...our BBQ is instrumental in our attitude towards life!!


LOL

[SandRat]

jealousy is all it is. Just because when a Texas wife fixes up a pile of BBQ Buffalo Wings for a Texas A&M she uses real Buffalo forelegs.

[Txsleuth]

WHAAAAAAT a visual!!!

[SandRat]

Which the platter full of Texas BBQ Buffalo wings or the Buffalo?

[Txsleuth]

Buffalo forelegs!!! Dang...and I thought the turkey legs they have at the Texas State Fair are big..

but, the visual of buffalo forelegs...wheelbarrow, instead of a plate necessary...

[snodog]

BBQ discussions are off limits until NASCAR starts up!!! LOL

WHAT!? BBQ off limits, tell that to my wife and kids, who would have gone hungry, (well not really), when the power went out for 12 hours Christmas day. Christmas dinner from now on will be Tri-tip roasts on the grill.

[Txsleuth]

Yikes...no power on Christmas Day???

Actually tri-tip roast on the grill sounds might tasty!!

How did it turn out??

[snodog]

no power on Christmas Day??? Actually tri-tip roast on the grill sounds might tasty!! How did it turn out??

Outstanding as always, we had planned to have it for Christmas dinner anyway, the power outage and the home fries, pork and beans cooked on the camp stove just made it that much better.

I use a dry rub,(Pappy's Choice)on a very hot grill to sear, then indirect roast for an hour+ or so. It is our family favorite.

You can use any dry rub, but the key is to sear both sides over hot coals, (locks in the moisture)then roast indirect, fat side up.Mmmmmmm baby!

[Txsleuth]

Okkaaay...I am hungry now!!

I will remember that method...sounds good.

Thanks.

[snodog]

Searing a lean roast is the best kept secret in all of cooking. Emril says it all the time. Start a pork roast at 425 for 15-20 minutes then drop it down to 350 to roast. Let it sit when you take it out before cutting. Best roast you'll ever have.

P.S. doesn't work with pot roast, they need moisture and long cooking times to tenderize.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Txsleuth]

Just got you post...thanks for the tips...

I cooked a Prime Rib Roast one time...and I cooked it at like 475-500 for about 20 minutes....and then dropped it down for a long time...

I just love the crispy outsides...yum!

[Ninian Dryhope]

A Texan and a Marine. Hecka of good combination. They do not come any better.