America’s Newest Citizens Earn the Title Marine

For some of the new Marines of Echo Company, the road to joining the Marine Corps was a long one. Pfc. Jonas Hernandez, 34-year-old native of Mexico recruited from Recruiting Sub Station Thousand Oaks, Calif., spent 17 years dreaming of one day becoming a United States Marine.

“My mother brought me to the United States, from Mexico when I was only one and a half years old. As a teenager I joined the Los Angeles Police Department Explorer Program, and some of our members went on to become U.S. Marines. When they would return to come speak to us, I was always impressed with their knowledge and discipline. I knew then I wanted to become a Marine one day,” said Hernandez.