Marine from Renault : An Alternative Start to a Career Path

Upon reaching adulthood, many people go from job to job seeking simply to survive. If college, technical school, or apprenticeship in a trade isn't an appealing option, there's another avenue young adults may wish to consider: the military.

In A Marine from Renault, author Andrew J. Rickert shares the true story of his experiences upon leaving high school and entering the US Marine Corps in 1954, at the age of seventeen. He describes in detail his three-year adventure with the marines, traveling from his home on a farm in Renault, Illinois, to boot camp in Paris Island, South Carolina. He also recalls his assignments during his time with the marines and offers a snapshot of his civilian life afterward. Through these recollections, Rickert hopes to demonstrate that there is a path to success after high school for those who lack the resources or interest to continue their education--and his life represents an example of that success.

In this memoir, one man describes his three-year stint with the marines and how that time served as a stepping-stone for his future career in civilian life.