Representatives from the United States Marines Corps spoke to students of the marching band about international music opportunities around the world on Wednesday, Sept.14 in the band hall. Marine Sgt. Garrett Gilbeau and Sgt. James Davis talked to the  students about the Marines corps band organizations like the President’s Band, named the President’s Own, and other military music groups that perform around the world.

Associate Director of Bands Ogechi Ukazu attended the presentation along with the students.

“The recruiters came by and they asked to talk to our kids, and we said ‘Hey! Let’s make it happen,” Ukazu said. This is Ukazu’s first year as a band director at Cypress Ridge. She moved to this school after teaching in Clear Creek school district.

Throughout the week she encouraged her students to attend the presentation and to speak to the recruiters throughout the presentation.

“My brother [Ikechi Ukazu] was in [the Marines] and the benefits are wonderful. I mean definitely the marine training is really serious training. Before my brother joined the Marines he was a kid and when he got out he was a man.” Ukazu said. Ukazu supported her students by answering questions about her brothers experience and asking about experiences that the students would face joining the Marines. Throughout the presentation Sgt. Gilbeau and Sgt. Davis talked about college tuition, training, and opportunities to travel the world.

Junior Ivonne Lopez attended the presentation and was excited to potentially join the Marines. Lopez has played the flute for six years, and is wondered about joining the Marines to further expand her music career.

“I liked the simple fact that they told us everything from person to person. They weren’t just seeking to recruit or have people say they’ll join then and there. They had told us everything the way it is and never [sugar coated] it,” Lopez said.. “Overall, speaking to them was a good experience, and now my mind is definitely set on joining.”

Both Sgt. Gilbeau and Sgt. Davis were excited to share what they knew about being Marines. Davis loves his job because of the amount of interaction and motivation he gets from the students as he goes visits them.

“I like coming to talk not only to just band but anybody, anyone. I like interacting and being social, and if I’m able to educate anyone, whether it’s a student in the band, a educator, a  parent, whomever, about the opportunities in the Marines corp, that’s a good day, a great day,“ Sgt. Davis said.

Not only did they speak for all their fellow Marines, but they got to connect with students who wanted to pursue being in the Marines. Sgt. Guilbeau stressed that the type of Marine who should join the band is one that is willing to put in the work. Although some Marines enter because of the benefits after in-listing, Sgt. Guilbeau stressed that Marines go into a field that is not necessarily what they will major in but, because they work hard, they know they are giving it their all.

“[S]o when you have the passion to do something because you want to do it, your gonna put forth extra effort, you are gonna put forth extra time, sacrifice a little bit of free time so you get more proficient at something you enjoy. That’s the type of person we look for as a marine, period.” Sgt. Guilbeau said.

Many students who attended enjoyed hearing the Marines speak about training, the chance to travel around the world, and the opportunity to join the President’s Own. Not only did they get to hear all the vast amount of opportunities they will receive in joining the Marines, they got to make a true connection between their future as musicians.