Benjamin Olson, Brockport High School Class of 2012, graduated from the Advanced Infantryman Course at the Marine Corps Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, at Camp Pendleton, California.
In order to achieve this honor, a marine must be recommended by the leaders in his/her chain of command and prove ready to lead other marines.
Ben moved to Camp Pendleton, California this past winter, where he became 1 Battalion 5th Marine for the U.S. While at camp he met Corporal Demetre Tappin from Guyana. Here in the U.S., hometown heroes have the opportunity to receive acknowledgement for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to society. Ben believes that hometown heroes from other countries deserve the same recognition.
Both Ben and Demetre participated in this seven week training where they worked alongside one another doing offensive and defensive combat military operations in urban terrain, as well as live fire operations. They both finished the course and received the same accolades.
At the conclusion of their specialized training, Demetre returned home to Guyana, while Ben currently waits for deployment in November.
Despite the many worldly differences between the two men, they continue to serve one another as fellow soldiers while maintaining a beautiful friendship.
