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Mailman Sheds Weight, Obtains Age Waiver to Join Corps
Defend America News ^ | Feb 14, 2006 | Sgt. Scott Whittington

Posted on 02/14/2006 4:30:13 PM PST by SandRat

Profiles.

U.S. Marine Corps
Pfc. Glennon Parks Jr.
Mailman Sheds Weight, Obtains Age Waiver to Join Corps
By Sgt. Scott Whittington
4th Marine Corps District
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 14, 2006 —He already has an eagle on his uniform, but now he’s ready to put that one on hold for another – the eagle, globe and anchor. This 34-year-old, postal worker hung up his mailbag and headed for Parris Island Oct. 12 but not without a few bumps in the road.

Glennon Parks Jr., has been a postal worker for the last 15 years. He started at the U.S. Postal Service after attending Lindenwood College on a football scholarship. His father was a mail carrier at the time.

“I had talked with a recruiter before college but I wanted to take the scholarship,” said the native of St. Louis. “Now I’m ready for the Marines. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do in the back of my mind, and it’s the Marines or nothing. There is no other branch of service.”

Besides his age, Parks had another challenge in front of him. Not only was he an older applicant, he was 225 pounds with 24 percent body fat at 73 inches tall. If he had tried to join at that weight, he would have needed a weight waiver. He didn’t want anything to be stacked against him so he did something about it.

“I started at a gym and got myself back in shape,” said Parks. “I just want to be a Marine; to have that honor, to be distinguished with a sense of pride.”

In four weeks, he shed 20 pounds and another eight weeks later he was down to 187 pounds and 12 percent body fat – a new man.

His first attempts to enlist didn’t go so well for this 1989 Fort Zumwalt North High School graduate. Being in the St. Louis area, he went through Western Recruiting Region back in July where his request was eventually turned down due to his age. But he didn’t give up. He crossed over the imaginary line that separates the two regions and went to Recruiting Sub-station Evansville, Ind.

“We received Parks’ name as a referral from WRR,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Simerka, RSS Evansville staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

Glennon Parks, a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service, 34, shed more than 20 pounds and obtained an age waiver so he could join the Marine Corps. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Scott Whittington
“He wasn’t your average enlistee. He was by far the most mature applicant we’ve had.”

Once again the age waiver went to the top. Eastern Recruiting Region contacted WRR and inquired about Parks’ wavier. San Diego’s concern was with his age. Parks’ wavier was again sent down disapproved, however, Col. Brian Manthe, 4th Marine Corps District commanding officer, asked ERR to reconsider. Parris Island took a second look with recommendations from RS Louisville and 4th MCD. Parks finally caught a break and he was accepted.

“He was overwhelmed and very thankful for everyone that went to bat for him,” said Simerka.
Parks, a father of three, said he’s ready for Parris Island – a challenge that he has wanted for the last 15 years. With his parents and colleagues behind him, he headed for the Island. His children, Amanda, 14; Lacy, 14; and Glen III, 10, await his return.

He graduated Jan. 6, and the private first class is currently attending the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, N.C.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; US: North Carolina; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: age; corps; joins; mailman; marine; obtains; recruitment; sheds; usps; waiver; weight

1 posted on 02/14/2006 4:30:15 PM PST by SandRat
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To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; A Ruckus of Dogs; acad1228; AirForceMom; ..

A Real American!!!!


2 posted on 02/14/2006 4:30:50 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat

Postal worker, huh? Those muzzies better not tick HIM off.


3 posted on 02/14/2006 4:32:25 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (Peace Begins in the Womb)
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To: SandRat

The terrorists are screwed! Hes gonnna go Postal on them! :)


4 posted on 02/14/2006 4:32:41 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: SandRat

Well, he should be proficient with select fire weapons already.


5 posted on 02/14/2006 4:33:17 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Echo Talon

Postal beats Medieval every time, huh? :-)


6 posted on 02/14/2006 4:34:02 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Larry Lucido

hehe :)


7 posted on 02/14/2006 4:34:58 PM PST by Echo Talon
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To: SandRat

We are a country truly blessed.


8 posted on 02/14/2006 4:35:07 PM PST by Bahbah (An admitted Snow Flake and a member of Sam's Club)
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To: SandRat

Great story.


9 posted on 02/14/2006 4:36:54 PM PST by jwalsh07
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To: SandRat

God bless him and those like him.


10 posted on 02/14/2006 4:37:19 PM PST by jwalsh07
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To: SandRat

God bless him


11 posted on 02/14/2006 4:39:01 PM PST by Gone_Postal (government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take it away)
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To: SandRat

Great story!

He lost 38 pounds and reduced his body fat from 24 to 12 percent in 12 weeks to become a Marine. True dedication.


12 posted on 02/14/2006 4:47:22 PM PST by muggs
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To: Bahbah
"We are a country truly blessed. "

Yes, we are. May God bless this good man and keep him safe.

13 posted on 02/14/2006 4:50:47 PM PST by asp1
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To: SandRat

Very inspiring! Good for him!


14 posted on 02/14/2006 5:05:15 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: SandRat
How excellent.
15 posted on 02/14/2006 5:13:00 PM PST by steveo (No Anchovies? You've got the wrong man, I spell my name steveo...)
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To: SandRat

BTTT


16 posted on 02/15/2006 3:08:13 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: SandRat

"The man's a disgrace to the uniform."

17 posted on 02/15/2006 6:44:15 AM PST by Mr. Brightside (I know what I like.)
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To: Larry Lucido
Well, he should be proficient with select fire weapons already.

LOL!!

18 posted on 02/15/2006 6:47:08 AM PST by Pyro7480 (Sancte Joseph, terror daemonum, ora pro nobis!)
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