Announcement - Ryan Graduates as Marine (published 02/09/2009)

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
02/09/2009
Richard & Lynn Mack
376 12th Street
Manistee, MI 49660
231-723-6830

PHOTO CAPTION: Local Man Graduates United States Marine Corps Boot Camp

ARTICLE:
Pvt. Ryan Joseph Mack of Muncie, Indiana (formerly of Manistee, Michigan) graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on 01/23/2009. Pvt. Mack successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD San Diego as one of approximately 80 recruits in Training Platoon 2130. Pvt. Mack’s Marine Corps recruit basic training included training in bayonet assault course, pugil sticks, martial arts, rappelling, weapon safety and technique, firing live rounds, the confidence course, intensive physical training, simulating tactical scenarios and, finally, the Crucible -- 54 continuous hours of physical and mental challenges, which culminated in being awarded his Eagle, Globe and Anchor medal.

Graduation followed the next week. Attending Pvt. Mack’s graduation ceremony in San Diego were his parents, Richard and Lynn Mack, and his maternal grandmother, Jeanette Smock, all of Manistee, as well as his best friend, Dale Edmondson, III, of Traverse City area.

While in basic training, Pvt. Mack was awarded a medal in marksmanship for scoring at the expert marksmanship level as well as scoring extremely high in the swimming challenge. As a result of these high scores, Pvt. Mack’s Military Occupation Specialty School assignment (MOS) was changed to an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewman. While in basic training, Pvt. Mack obtained a MCRD “Certificate of Attendance” by choosing to attend a minimum of 6 Catholic Faith Classes in which the following topics were covered: General Catholic beliefs, Sacraments, Catholic morality, and tradition and Scripture. Following 10 days’ home leave, he reported to Indianapolis, Indiana, for 7 days of Recruiting Assignment. Following that, Pvt. Mack reports to Camp Pendleton in San Diego for 1 month at Marine Combat Training, then Military Occupation Specialty School (MOS) to study his area of specialization. Pvt. Mack’s duty station following his training at Camp Pendleton is unknown at this time.

Pvt. Mack is the son of Richard and Lynn Mack of Manistee, MI. His maternal grandmother is Jeanette Smock, also of Manistee. His paternal grandparents are Robert and Phyllis Mack of Manistee (deceased).