Coming from a broken home in the small town of Grants, New Mexico, Navajo Marjon Pino overcame violence, poverty and alcoholism from his childhood and found a new meaning to life through his military career.
In December 2003, Pino left home and joined the United States Marine Corps at...
According to society, Native Americans have often been characterized as being dark skinned, with dark hair, but Dancy Turner is from the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians tribe and is fair-toned with brown hair and colored eyes.
As a child, Turner grew up on the reservation in Valley Center,...
Three years ago, service member Emmy Williamson, now a transgender woman, was not who she was meant to be. Due to social constraints and her own personal struggles, she decided to part ways from the military.
Williamson served in the Navy from 2006 to 2012. She was young when she enrolled,...
Ciara Walker, Assistant Features Editor
• November 13, 2015
As a Navy veteran, father and husband, Travis Knowlton says that his most difficult challenge in life was transitioning from military service back to civilian life.
Knowlton, a Connecticut native, joined the US Navy in 2007. He served as a corpsman and was stationed here in San Diego...
Patricia Reily, Director of the Veterans Center, dedicated 20 years of her life to the Navy before retiring as a commander, giving up what she loved most in order to be with her family.
Reily received her bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota with a minor in...
Tiffany Tren, Assistant Opinion Editor
• November 13, 2015
Being a full-time student is no easy task, especially when also taking on the roles of being a parent and servicemember. However, veteran Kristina Johnson has managed to successfully balance her roles with strength, hard work and determination.
Johnson became pregnant with her first...
As a daughter of migrant workers, Claudia Oreegal was well aware of her family's financial situation, and saw the military as an outlet to escape poverty and better herself.
Oreegal was stationed at Camp Pendleton while she served in the Marine Corps from 1999 to 2003, a time in which...
While deployed overseas, Lance Corporal Erik Galvan’s life was changed in an instant. One moment he was fine, the next he’d stepped on an IED, an improvised explosive device.
Galvan served in the United States Marine Corps from 2009 to 2013.
As a young adult, Galvan found in the...
Briana Osuna, Student Life Reporter
• November 12, 2015
The Student Veteran Organization (SVO) welcomes all veterans of the Armed Forces and aims to provide its members with a supportive environment and tools needed to succeed.
SVO is often confused with the Veterans Center, and while they collaborate on events and activities, they are not...
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a fraternity on campus whose members strive to be true gentlemen.
One of their previous philanthropy chairs, Tim Kelly, told us that his main goal this year is to get more involved in other Greek organizations’ philanthropy events. Sigma Alpha Epsilon members...
As the son of parents who escaped poverty and homelessness, Arnold Burgos knows the importance of earning an education and intends on seeking his full potential.
Burgos graduated in May 2015, receiving his bachelor's degree in Criminology and Justice Studies.
Being a first generation...
Cory Kay, Assistant Features Editor
• October 29, 2015
Ash Fogle, a passionate and insightful professor in CSUSM’s Communication Department, urges students to think innovatively and make connections both within and outside the classroom.
Fogle began teaching at CSUSM in 2011, and has primarily taught classes within the Communication Department,...
