The making of a Marine: Klein Oak grad ready to serve the country

THE WOODLANDS and SPRING, Texas -- Standing at the top of the Reaper, 18-year-old Mark Murley experienced something he will never forget.

"I saw the sun rising," Mark said. "I looked over at my friend who was next to me, and I nudged him and said 'we made it.'"

That was the moment Mark, a 2017 graduate of Klein Oak High School, officially became a United States Marine.

Military boot camp is notoriously difficult. In the Marines, it culminates with The Crucible, a 54-hour challenge that includes food and sleep deprivation, 48 miles of outdoor terrain while carrying 45 pounds of gear; 36 warrior stations, six hours of sleep and just two meals. The final trek is a hike to the top of a 700-foot mountain dubbed the Reaper.

"I felt like I was bulletproof, like I was on top of the world," Mark said. "The drill instructors spoke to you in a regular tone for the first time in three months. When they said 'congrats, brother, you earned it,' I couldn't help but tear up. I will never forget that day. It will always have a special place in my heart."

After three months of training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, Mark and his fellow rookies entered The Crucible as recruits, and those who made it through exited as Marines.

Out of the blue

Mark's father Ron Murley said he was surprised when Mark told him he wanted to join the Marines.

"We were talking about the military as an option," Ron said. "What surprised me was that he had already made his mind up about the Marines. I wanted to put the brakes on him a little bit, to give him a chance to talk to other branches."

But Mark knew what he wanted.

"What really sold me on it was the brotherhood," Mark said. "Once you're a Marine, you're a Marine for life. You have brothers who will never hesitate to put their lives on the line for you."

Mark's mother Kim said the recruiter was extremely upfront.

"He didn't sugarcoat it," Kim said. "He said you're going to hate it; you're going to want to quit."

Mark's reaction?

"It just made me more motivated," he said.

Pushing the limits

After several weeks of physical training at the local recruiting station, Mark packed up and headed to California for boot camp.

"I learned that I can take a lot more than I thought I could," Mark said. "They push you to your limits. I went in with a fear of heights but quickly had to get over that."

Mark's only contact with family and friends for the following three months was the old-fashioned way: letters. Recruits do not have cellphones or access to computers.

"They strip you away from everything, to take you away from the outside world so you can focus on training," Mark said. "Getting letters from home was really motivating. It reminded me that there are people out there who care for me and believe in me."

Mark and his family were reunited Jan. 18 during Family Day at MCRD in San Diego.

"Without their love and support, I don't think I would have made it through basic training," Mark said. "I want to thank them tremendously for everything. As soon as they learned that this was what I really wanted to do, they were with me the whole way."

After officially graduating from boot camp Jan. 19, Mark boarded a flight home to Houston for a short break before the next phase of his Marine training begins in February.

"It's going to be tough," Kim said. "I get sad thinking about him leaving. This isn't college. I can't just pick up the phone. I can't just go visit when I want to. But I know he will be out there making his own way, and I couldn't be more proud of him."

Mark will spend one month at Camp Pendleton in California, followed by two months at another location for his MOS, or Military Occupational Specialty training. After that, he will be deployed.

"I have no idea where I'll end up going, but if I could pick anywhere, I would love to go to Okinawa, Japan," Mark said. "My uncle was in the Navy, and he really enjoyed it when he was there. So that's something I want to do too."

Mark will be on active duty for four years and reserve duty for an additional four.

"I'm proud to serve our country," Mark said, "wherever it takes me."