Raising your right hand can carry solemn, serious meaning.
Fox football player Connor Blasi, a senior, did it in a special ceremony before the Warriors hosted Lindbergh Oct. 11. His purpose: Swearing an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and committing to the delayed entry program of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Blasi will ship out next June 22 on his journey to become one of “the Few, the Proud, the Marines.”
His Marine Corps recruiter, Nicholas Gal, works in an office in Arnold and persuaded officials at Fox to hold the swearing-in ceremony.
Blasi can look forward to the 13 most grueling weeks of his life in boot camp at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Once he completes it, he’ll receive the Globe and Anchor pin as an official Marine.
Historically, Marine Corps boot camp is seen as the toughest to pass of all the branches of the U.S. military. Near the end, “boots” must pass “The Crucible” a 54-hour test of all the skills they’ve been taught.
Blasi said he’s ready for the life-altering experience.
“My recruiter thought it would bring more light to Fox students about the Marine Corps,” Blasi said. “He saw an opportunity and asked if I wanted to do it and I said of course. It was nerve-wracking but one of the proudest moments of my life – an amazing experience I’ll never forget.”
After Fox activities director Scott Leuthauser gave the idea the green light, Fox built the ceremony into the pregame activities.
“Military service is something I regret not having had,” Fox head coach Brent Tinker said. “To be part of something so big and respected. My dad was a Marine. I love when kids use that time and come out with a lot of skills and maturity. Connor is a spectacular get for them. He wants to listen and do well. He’s played cornerback, defensive line, linebacker, wide receiver. He’s become one of everybody’s favorite kids.”
Like many who join the military, several of Blasi’s family members are Marines, whose motto is, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
“It’s always been in my family,” Blasi said. “My uncle and my grandpa went to Vietnam. I have a cousin who’s in right now. They’ve made it known it changed their lives for the better because of the camaraderie and sense of pride. It made them the people they are today.”
A new Marine can step into plenty of jobs that match civilian positions in office settings, medicine, administration and more. But at their core, every Marine is considered a rifleman first. Blasi decided he wanted his job to match that description all the time and chose the infantry, where he’ll undergo a 59-day course to learn the fundamentals of war.
Blasi said he’s ready for the intense, exhausting physical and mental training. There are aspects he can take from playing football that could help him in the Marines.
“Everything I’ve seen, I can’t wait to be part of,” he said. “I love that it makes you a man. I’m ready for that disciplined way of life. I think as a Marine it will be a lot of adventure and risk. There are things to be done in this world that’s far from perfect – and if need be, fighting.”
While other military branches have struggled to meet their annual recruiting goals, the Marines exceeded theirs in 2023 – barely, according to the Marine Corps Times.
“The attitude is sort of ignorance,” he said. “People don’t grasp how important and amazing it is to serve your country. A lot of people want to go to college, but you can do that and be a Marine, too.
“What’s always appealed to me is the GI Bill.”
For now, Blasi has a four-year commitment to the Corps. At some point he’ll have to decide whether to reenlist or use what he’s learned back in the civilian world. That can be one of the hardest transitions to make in any branch.
“My plan is to go for four years and take it from there.”