[Calpernia]

“I came from a small country town in the central valley of California,” said the 2002 Hilmar High School graduate. “It was all corn fields, orchards and dairies. I used to work as a diesel and tractor mechanic.”

Phipps said he discovered the Marine Corps while traveling to visit family as a child.

“When I was a kid, I would go visit my uncle in Nevada, and on the way we would pass the Marine base in Bridgeport, Calif.,” he said. “I always thought Marines were [hardcore] back then, and I wanted to be one ever since.”

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!