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“Most of (the Marines) have seen me go through some rough times, but I always seem to be having a good time,” he said. “It’s being able to get through all the craziness of normal life and still put a smile on your face, go to work and get done what you have to get done. Always keep driving forward.”
For Marchioni, being there for his Marines and believing in them when they need him is key to being a successful leader.
“A lot of Marines know I’ll do whatever I can for them and believe in them, if they are going to fail it doesn’t matter,” he said. “I just want them to put forth whatever they can, give them the benefit of the doubt as much as I can. A lot of times, doubt is the only thing keeping the Marine from doing it. I mean we all got here somehow, trying to be the best.”
Marchioni is looked up to as a leader by many of the Marines in the platoon; his understanding and patience does not go unnoticed.
“He is more like a father figure,” said Lance Cpl. Andrew Nelson, a gunner and squad member. “With the kind of personality he has, before he chews you out, he’ll talk to you about what you did wrong, instead of making you feel stupid. It’s just the way he is and it just works.”
After Marchioni completes this four-year contract, he plans to get out of the Marine Corps and move back to Michigan, so that he can spend time with his 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son.
Official US Marine Corps Web site