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By TOM OBRZUT JR.; Times Leader Staff Writer
Sunday, March 26, 1995 Page: 3A
SCRANTON — Mark Mikolaichik wants purpose and direction in his life, while
Lisa Kline needs something that’s physically and mentally challenging.
Both are joining the U.S. Marine Corps.
On Saturday, the Marine Corps held a family night at the Marine Corps
League, Northeastern Detachment in Scranton. The event, attended by about 55
future Marines and their families, was a chance to inform them of what lies
ahead.
Mikolaichik, 17, of Dallas made the decision to join the Marines in
January. The West Side Vo-Tech senior checked out other branches of the
military but decided on the Marines.
“They offered the best training and education,” he said.
To keep in shape, Mikolaichik lifts weights. So does Kline. She also runs,
does aerobics and sit ups. Joining the Marines will give Kline, 18, of
Wilkes-Barre, the discipline she says she needs in her life.
“With running, I never go on my own,” Kline said. “If I don’t have to, I
won’t (push myself).”
Kline leaves June 24 for the 12 -week boot camp at Parris Island in South
Carolina. Boot camp for women is one week longer than for men because of extra
weapons training.
Like Mikolaichik, she shopped around before deciding on the Marines. The
Air Force recruiter made their training “sound easy,” she said. “I wanted
something hard.”
Wilkes University junior Mark Mentusky, 20, said he’s joining because his
dad was a Marine. He always wanted to join, but his parents wanted him to go
to college, he said. This January, Mentusky decided to sign up.
The Wilkes football player said he also is joining for discipline. Living
in an off-campus apartment has taken time away from his studies, Mentusky
said.
Gunnery Sgt. F.P. Walsh told the parents that they are now part of the
Marine Corps family. And guest speaker Capt. Bill Jimenez told the recruits
there’s a difference between talking about dreams and attaining them.
“This is the beginning of your new life,” he said. “This is the first big
step.”
Mikolaichik’s first step will be to cut his longer than shoulder-length
hair. His mother, Patricia, said she offered, but her son won’t let her do it.
Mikolaichik, who has had long hair since he was in seventh grade, doesn’t
want to cut it, but said he would.
For more information on joining the U.S. Marine Corps call 826-6217 in
Wilkes-Barre and 347-9732 in Scranton. both numbers cq