Posted on 12/09/2008 4:29:36 PM PST by SandRat
RAWAH, Iraq, Dec. 9, 2008 Before Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Allan Desruisseaux could become a Marine, he had to become a loser.
It was one of those 180-degree turnarounds in life, said Desruisseaux, 21, a telephone systems and personal computer repair technician with Regimental Combat Team 5s Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, from Mesa, Ariz. At 326 pounds, Desruisseaux decided to join the Marine Corps, but was turned down by recruiters at Recruiting Substation Chandler, Ariz. Desruisseauxs ex-girlfriend, who had just left him with their infant son, told him he would not be able to make it through boot camp anyway. But instead of giving up, Desruisseaux took the doubt around him and transformed it into motivation. I took that as a challenge, and I wanted to prove them all wrong, Desruisseaux said. I was told it would be impossible for me to join, so I said, Ill show you, then! Desruisseaux began a steady regimen of cardiovascular exercise and healthy eating as he worked to obtain his goal of joining the Marines as quickly as possible. His determination led him to drop 100 pounds in six months. Desruisseaux returned to the recruiting substation five months after his first visit and watched the Marines jaws drop. He weighed in at 226 pounds. Everyone in there freaked out and couldnt believe it was me, Desruisseaux said. I had to show my ID, but once I could prove who I was, they were happy to start the enlistment paperwork. Despite losing the weight, Desruisseaux still faced a physical-fitness challenge. When he originally tried to enlist, he could not complete one dead-hang pull up, and his time in the one-and-a-half-mile run exceeded the required 12 minutes. Desruisseaux continued to work hard, and by the time he graduated from boot camp, he could do seven pull-ups and run three miles in about 21 and a half minutes. Standing just over 6 feet tall, he weighed in at 189 pounds, which was well under his maximum allowed weight of 208. Hes not the biggest guy, but hes pretty [strong], said Sgt. David Lara, 30, a squad leader with PRP-3. When you used to be over 300 pounds like he was, and now you can regularly crank out 17 pull-ups, thats strong. Now deployed to Iraq, Desruisseaux said he shocks his family and friends every time he goes home to visit. In the states, I do a lot of cardio, because its running and burning fat, and its easy to find the time and place to run, he said. On this deployment, though, Im trying to gain as much muscle and get as big as possible so people will see the improvement. Its a great feeling when people from home see me and say, You look completely different. In Iraq, Desruisseaux is serving as a basic rifleman with the PRP-3. Hes a good Marine; he does what hes asked and he really knows his stuff, said Cpl. Jordan Carranza, a fire team leader with PRP-3. He quickly retains the knowledge and utilizes it. Desruisseaux has embraced his role in the Marine Corps and is proud of his accomplishments so far. The Marine Corps has given me a lot of good memories and the opportunity to get my life back on track, he said. He plans to earn a degree in American history, and said he wants to make a better life for his son, Michael, who just turned 3. I love him very much, Desruisseaux said. Its hard to be away from him, but its worth it -- the time spent away -- because by being in the Marine Corps I can help provide for him. Hes the only one on my mind right now. The last step in Desruisseauxs improvement plan is to have surgery to remove excess skin from his heavier days. It is an operation his mother, Lorri, had more than five years ago after she had a similar reduction in weight. When I lost the weight, it made me feel good, because I knew my mom was proud, Desruisseaux said. I feel great. The fact I accomplished this just shows that hard work pays off. Its nice to have the help of others, but just because you dont doesnt mean you give up, he said. Anybody can change their life. (Marine Corps Sgt. M. Trent Lowry serves in the Regimental Combat Team 5.) |
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Can he contact OPRAH.... ?
The man wanted to be there and didn’t let anything stop him. You’ve gotta respect that.
Holy cow. Outstanding.
I am by no means a 300 pounder, but I did once lose 50 Lbs in about 8 weeks. It was a lot of work and I was highly motivated. People said that I had made myself appear gaunt.
I was hardly that, but it was a big change. I went from about 250 lbs down to 200 from the end of June to the beginning of September that year.
I can certainly appreciate what this fellow did. Amazing.
Been there done that, unfortunatly more than once.
And I *was* a 305 pounder (and am again). I took about twice as long, but it's the last 25 or 30 pounds that are the hardest. I was already a commissioned officer in the Air Force Reserve, but inactive. I wanted to go active again during the Reagan administration. I made it, with about 2 lbs to spare, not knowing I'd shrunk a 1/4 inch which lowered my maximu allowable weight.
OTOH, these days, the Army will hire Omar the Tent Maker to make ACU uniforms for reactivated "early retirees", who retired 10 years ago during 'toon time, if they need their skill set badly enough (the one I know about is a computer/IT specialist, and is now sitting in tent full of computers somewhere in Iraq).
Great story!
Semper Fi!
Kudos to this man and his desire to serve our Country....our leaders could learn much from him about character.
We had a contest at work last winter. People put in 25 dollars and the first to lose 25 pounds would win the cash. I lost 25 pounds in 23 days and won 300 bucks.
I do respect him
Well, he will certainly do better now.
My son once pointed out (while subtly jabbing me in the gut) that humping 80+ pounds of armor and gear i the summer, 12+ hours a day will really burn the fat.
WHen he fihished has last tour, I swaer he looked like a POW from WWII he was so skinny.
So, I suspect this remarkable young man will be in even better shapeat the nd of hi stour - now if he could find a woman that was less of looser....(walking away from her own child, ug)
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