Military Pathways
US MARINE CORPS
Military Air Ground (Mag) Task Force Planning Specialist: PFC Jeffery Loo
by Mike Yoshiura
Atteeeeeention!! Companyyyyy Halt!! While most high school seniors were racking their brains and contemplating a two-or-four-year commitment to a college of their choice… Jeffery Loo and his twin brother Jason decided to enlist in the Marine Corps, making a five-year commitment to serving their country.
The Road Less Traveled
"My brother and I always wanted to be a part of the military. In middle school we knew we wanted to be a part of the best." Loo is a 19-year-old Private First Class, barely old enough to shave the baby hairs off of his face, but old enough to fight for what he believes in. Jeffery made a commitment to the Marine Corps in January 2005, five months before graduating from Mililani High School. He was your average teenager; frequently glued to a computer monitor, involved in a national skills club (Skills USA) and all while maintaining a quite lofty 3.5 grade point average. "My family said to join when the war is over, but I thought that I should do it before I won't be able to. Why let the war stop me?""
"BOOT CAMP"
In August 2005, Jeffery left for recruit training (a.k.a. "boot camp") at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, California. At the MCRD he woke up at 5 a.m. to chow and start his training regimen for the day, which consisted of: long-distance running, obstacle courses, marching drills and classes (teaching the recruits about rank and regulations). "It was a challenge, but it was good to be with my brother. If one of us got in trouble so would the other."
Training Day
All new recruits must endure a combination of recruit and combat training, which is crammed into 13-straight weeks. Straight from the MCRD it was off to nearby Camp Pendleton for combat training, where the recruits are trained in urban combat, patrolling and weaponry. Jeffery's most memorable experience was shooting a machine gun situated on top a tripod for added support. "You don't have to use any kind of precision." When it came to weapons training Jeffrey qualified as an expert, while Jason was just a marksman. Anything over 190 will earn a marksman rank, while a score exceeding 220 classifies you as an expert. In the Loo sibling rivalry…the score was Jeffery, 227 and Jason, 195.
A Little Getting Used To
Life away from all familiarities took a little getting used to, but on December 7, 2005, Jeffery officially graduated from training. The Private First Class was rewarded with a return trip home for the holidays. "I missed my mom's Vietnamese cooking, and there's nothing like the weather in Hawaii." Before Loo left for recruit training he cut his hair once every four weeks, and at times he'd let his black hair grow out extending down to his eyebrows. Now he flosses a neatly trimmed do, a flat top, which he's still getting used to. "Due to regulation hair has to be zero length on the side and no more than three inches on top."
All Aboard
Next Stop…Norfolk, Virginia! After celebrating the holiday season in Hawaii it was off to Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Training. Jeffery is training to become a Military Air Ground (MAG) Task Force Planning Specialist. "I was told that basically we're glorified travel agents." A MAG specialist has to be good with operating computer databases, which is something he became accustomed to in high school. The hardest part about the MOS training is being separated from his twin brother Jason. "It's the first time we've been apart. It's different! It's a new experience for me!"
Advice To Teens
"Keep your options open. My brother and I considered college, but decided to look into other things. So far the military has given me direction. At least I am doing something to advance my rank." Jeffery aspires to someday become a military officer with aspirations of someday piloting aircrafts. "Take advantage of all your educational options."