Cpl. Brian Konopka lives each day juggling the life as a full-time student at Fairleigh Dickinson University and a United States Marine.

An engaging, enthusiastic political science major, Konopka, a junior at FDU, not only has to worry about completing all assignments on time, but also about preparing for deployment to Iraq.

Konopka signed the papers to become a Marine on Jan. 17, 2007, during his freshman year at FDU. He always wanted to join, yet knew that school was one of his top priorities, as well.

“I did not want to go active and have to go back to school when everyone else my age would already be finished,” Konopka said. Konopka was faced with a lack of support from his family and girlfriend, who were afraid for his safety and opposed to the war.

Ever since high school, Konopka’s family knew that he was interested in becoming a United States Marine, “but I never thought that he would actually choose to earn the title until after his freshman year at FDU, when he told me he joined,” said Sharon Konopka, Brian’s mother.

As a member of the Marine Reserves, Konopka had to sign a six-year contract, which requires training the first weekend of every month and two weeks during the summer. In addition, he must be ready to be deployed at any time.

Konopka had to go through the same boot camp requirements that all Marines have to go through, located in Parris Island, S.C. He went to boot camp on May 21, 2007, for the full three-month training session. This took up Konopka’s summer, followed by Marine Combat Training in North Carolina, which caused him to have to take off fall semester of 2007.

“Those three months will stay with me for the rest of my life,” said Konopka, while reflecting on what he went through. “We would get up at 4 a.m. every morning. Had five minutes to shower and shave. Did PT (Physical Training) everyday. Rifle range tests. Swimming tests. Lastly, the Crucible, which is a 54-hour event that occurs at the end of boot camp and it features little sleep, little food, over 40 miles of forced marches and 32 stations that test physical toughness and mental agility.”

Konopka touched upon a specific moment that he will never forget, which ultimately sets him apart from many of his peers at FDU. “It was 120 degrees outside when I was doing the Crucible, with lack of food and sleep; a guy fell to the ground while marching and all I heard from the Drill Instructors was ‘this is not good,’” said Konopka. “That was the last time I saw that recruit.”

Coming out of boot camp as a United States Marine, “I see myself to be a composed and disciplined individual. On top of being exposed to more life experiences and being self-regimented, I am a much cleaner person now,” Konopka said. “As a Marine and a student, I am definitely more squared away than most other students on campus. I probably have one of the cleanest bathrooms on campus because of my routine I have come accustomed to.”

Military life has not only changed Konopka, but it also affects those who play such an important role in his life. “I have actually gotten pretty used to military life by now,” said Jessica Hardy, Brian’s girlfriend of six years. “It is just hard when plans get ruined due to military duty that Brian has to partake in, whenever they call him.”

Konopka is now preparing to be deployed to Iraq in September 2009, leaving him no choice, but to take off next year from school. In the middle of May, he has to report to Camp Lejeune, N.C., for pre-deployment training. Konopka will then spend his last month in Mojave Viper, California for his final training before Iraq. His job within the Marines is motor transport and machine gun operator.

“I am very anxious to go to Iraq,” Konopka said. “I am ready to go because all of my friends from boot camp who are serving active duty have already gone to Iraq or are there currently. Also, I would rather go to Iraq, as a corporal, because I will be in charge of lower rank Marines, instead of being the one ordered what to do.”

Konopka feels adjusting to the heat and long hours and having to be ready at all times will be the hardest part about being in Iraq for seven months.

As Konopka’s family members prepare themselves for his deployment, it causes inner fear for all those who are involved.

“I can’t stand the thought that my son will be in Iraq serving in the Marines,” said Sharon Konopka, holding back tears. “I am so nervous! I just want him to come home safe and sound.”

Hardy also finds it hard to deal with Konopka’s deployment. She knew this day was going to come from the day that Konopka joined the Marines.

“I am sick to my stomach with the thought of my boyfriend being so far away from home, in such a dangerous environment,” Hardy said. “I am trying to be supportive to make light of this for Brian, but it is so hard.”

Not only is Konopka a corporal in the United States Marines, but he has also received the National Defense ribbon for joining during war time and the Global War on Terrorism ribbon for serving in active duty during the war on terrorism. Others include expert rifle badge and meritorious promotion to corporal.

In order to get promoted in the United States Marines, one has to have a good physical fitness test score. The best one can score is a 300. The physical fitness test includes 20 pull ups for 100 points, 100 sit-us in two minutes for 100 points, and a three mile run in 18 minutes for 100 points. “My score is a 295,” said Konopka, with excitement.

Being an E-4, another name for corporal, “entails more responsibility, motivation, and leadership,” he said.

The United States Marine Corps embraces its motto of “Semper Fidelis,” which means “always faithful.” Konopka said this motto represents that “I will remain faithful to all my brothers in the Marine Corps because when you’re overseas in a war zone, it is just you and the man next to you that matter, no one else.”

“As a Marine and a student I have gone through experiences that are by far greater than many people can understand or even imagine, with only more to come in the next couple of months,” said Konopka. “The Marine Corps has a saying, ‘once a Marine, always a Marine,’ and I hold this true everyday of my life and carry the title with a huge sense of responsibility, dignity and pride.”

SAMANTHA BOYCE
ASSISTANT EDITOR