FAVORITES:

• Music: Rock, Def Tones, Underoath, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails.
• Food: Italian food, lasagna, pizza and spaghetti.
• Drinks: Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Dos Equis beer.
• Blue Jeans: Express Jeans, Marc Ecko.
• Thing to do AFTER work (currently with the USMC): Work out, eat, talk to family back home in Louisiana if it's not too late.
• Movie Stars: Joe Pesci, Kevin Bacon — loved him in “Dead Sentence” and “Mystic River.”
• Mantra: I’ve heard it all my life by my Mom: Don’t give up...when it gets hard, no one is giving up either, and if I did, I’d be the weakest one. Never quit, never give up.

How did you get into farming?

My Mom met my stepdad, Larry (Williams), and he was working on the farm and offered me the job. With joining the USMC — me and my brother talked about it in high school, and we are adrenaline guys. We always played football and sports. When we graduated, I went to college for half a semester. Didn’t really know what I wanted, but I knew this is what I wanted to do for now. My “pa pa” was in the Korean War and I just wanted to do my part. I’m big into history, and I just wanted to do my part.

What do you think a big MISCONCEPTION is about farming?

They think we’re stupid and redneck and don’t know what we’re talking about — and that’s just not true.

What's your relationship status?

Single. My ideal girl is a nice girl who has morals... one that’s good with the family, who is easy to talk to, who can hold her own, works, and has a bit of drive.

Do you have children?

No.

What is your attitude about money?

I’m good with money. I used to work at a bank. Money's not my first priority at all. I’m motivated by what I want or like to do. I get to pick my job, so I may as well pick what I like. You know, in the Marines, cooks make more than 4-5 times more money and they get promoted fast. To pick up Sergeant, it would take me like 12 years and 3 enlistments as an infantryman.

Where is the farthest you have traveled? Where would you like to go?

Hawaii, where I'm stationed currently, is the farthest I've been. I would love to go to Italy or Paris, to see the landscapes and the food.

If you could meet a few famous people, dead or alive, who would they be?

Joe Pesci. I have a Joe Pesci tattoo on my back! Probably want to meet Drew Brees, he’s a hell of a guy. Good leader, donates money to the City of New Orleans to help the folks get back on their feet. Still does that every year. Has a foundation there and he gave $1 million to Sandy victims, and then another $2 million again to New Orleans. I’d also like to meet Trent Reznor — he’s artistic when it comes to his music. Started out as a janitor, he’s now won Grammys for the music. Does soundtracks for movies, knows a ton of instruments — he knows a lot of music.

Tell us about a typical Day in the USMC:

5:15 a.m., do Physical Training (PT), exercising at 6 a.m., run for 3 miles or so and come back, go get breakfast, shower, change, then carry out the plan of the day — classes or go outside with the squad/team and conduct foot exercises. We’re going over room clearing, what to do if you find an IED (improvised explosive device), learn about weapons, go to the army and clear your weapons and then break for the day around 6 p.m.

What makes you HAPPY in a day?

ON the FARM: spending time with the family. IN the USMC: just getting through morning exercise, the running that we have to do. Once I get that knocked out I’m happy. We run about 3 miles Monday–Friday.

What makes you FRUSTRATED in a day?

IN the USMC: When higher-ups keep us around late at night just to do nothing, and they could have let us off early. Also, just not making it to chow. And that’s why I keep PB&J in my room!

What's the BEST part of a day?

ON the FARM: Reminiscing to my brothers about what we did the night prior. (laughs) IN the USMC: when we find out when we’re getting off!

What's the WORST part of a day?

ON the FARM: When we’d clear the ditches for the water, and the same beavers come back and rebuild the whole “dam” thing! IN the USMC: I’m a team leader, which is great. But, if one of the team makes a mistake, I’m responsible, and then I’m in trouble, too!

What is the HARDEST part of your jobs?

ON the FARM: It's really hard to have a social life, getting up so early and getting home late and doing it over again the next day. Tough on social life. IN the USMC: When my brother got dropped from boot camp and I had to go on without him. He was dropped 13 days in because he fractured his foot. I could only see him for a quick sec and I didn’t know if I’d ever see him. But we eventually got in the same unit together. The higher ups pulled some strings and got him in the same unit, same fleet.

What do you LOVE about your jobs?

ON the FARM: I like that at the end of all of the hard work, when you see how everything comes to fruition at the end, it is really worth it. It’s also nice to be away from everyone — a little solitude is really nice. Being away from people gives you some peace. IN the USMC: Love the work we do. We do crazy stuff. My job is a rifleman, so I get to shoot guns, “blow up” things. But I have learned some stuff that can benefit me in many ways - like being a medic. Helps me meet a lot of people and also get to do some traveling.

What lessons have you learned?

ON the FARM: Sometimes it is just easier to do what you’re told than asking why. Sometimes when driving around, checking out the fields, when people tell you what to do, just do it follow directions. IN the USMC: Work hard, don’t be lazy. Get the bad done with first and then you can sail away.

Do you have any advice to share with others?

IN the USMC: THINK ABOUT IT REALLY HARD. It's a lifelong decision that will take a lot out of you.

Where do you think you'll be in 5 or 10 years?

Back in college, graduating, figuring out what I want to do, meet someone, maybe start a family.

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