MELINDA ANICK, CLASS OF 2019 

I come from a family of Marines and police officers. My uncle, father, older sister and younger brother are all Marines. My uncle (the Marine) and my mother were both New York State Police Officers. I have another uncle who is a DNR Officer. I am very proud to be a part of such a giving family. We all try to give back to the community as much as we can.

I went into the Marines right out of high school. I was in the Marine Corps for five years. I won’t say it was all roses, but I am so glad I did it.

I was lucky to be able to get a lot of travelling out of the experience. I began my training in Parris Island. I personally enjoyed boot camp. It was eye-opening and allowed me to see where I really stand among my peers.

After Parris Island, I went to Camp Geiger for MCT (Marine Combat Training). This was my least favorite thing about my experience in the Marine Corps. It was cold and miserable.

From MCT, it was off to Ft. Lee for Ammunition Technician schooling. It was a great time. I liked the weather and I made a lot of friends out there. Almost all the people I went to Ammo Tech school with were stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, with me. This was where a lot of fun took place! Time on the job was not the best or the worst experience ever. I was content with the job but I began to find out that the people and the rules of the Marine Corps were not for me. I had a choice. I could stay where I was for another 2 years or I could extend my contract for 15 months and go overseas as a Marine Security Guard (MSG). I jumped at the opportunity to be a MSG.

I was sent back to Virginia (Quantico) to complete more training. After my training, it was off to La Paz, Bolivia. This was the best time of my life. I fell in love with the Bolivian people, their culture and the beauty of Bolivia. The people I met there are going to be lifelong friends.

After Bolivia, I was sent to Jakarta, Indonesia. I had a lot of friends in Jakarta but the city was not as beautiful as La Paz. I got out of Jakarta as often as I could. I would take trips to Bali, Jogakarta, South Korea, Bangkok, Hong Kong and many other places. Although I knew I loved traveling before this, the experiences I had made me realize just how much I loved it.

In December 2016, I left the Marine Corps. I decided to move to my grandmother’s house in Allegany to attend St. Bonaventure University. I have had some struggles since I got out of the Marine Corps, but I have been trying to keep moving forward with my future goals.

I recently purchased two properties in hopes of fixing them up and renting them out. I love this sort of work, but it is very draining on my wallet.

I also work as the Facilities Coordinator at the Warming House in Olean (local soup kitchen). The staff at the Warming House are some amazing people. This community is lucky to have such devoted people.

Beyond work and school, I do not get out to do much. I went from living in big cities with something to do every minute to this small town. I like Olean, but it can get lonely if you do not have a lot of friends. This is why I am glad to be a part of the SVA. We are a group of people that really value our down-time but also fit in a few hours almost every week to meet-up. We go to the basketball games together, out to eat, get a drink at a local bar, and just meet in the Veteran’s Lounge to hangout. I don’t think I would have as great of a time at this school if it weren’t for the vets I get to share this experience with.

I am looking forward to my future and hope that I am able to become the person I have always aspired to be.