MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Meet the Marine
Being a Marine goes past the uniform, haircuts and swagger. It’s a whole Marine concept. They are a group of exceptional human beings who embody the Corps’ ethos of honor, courage and commitment. Now, here is your chance to Meet the Marine.
Name: Lance Cpl. Laura E. Thompson
Age: 20
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Military Occupational Specialty: 7257, air traffic controller
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Laura E. Thompson is an air traffic controller assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. According to Thompson, she joined the Marine Corps to broaden her horizons and help shape herself into a more experienced individual.
“I needed an opportunity to have a career,” said Thompson, 20, from Nashville, Tennessee. “Once I was at boot camp I knew it was where I needed to be and where I’m supposed to be.”
According to Thompson, the Marine Corps got her out of her shell and helped her become comfortable with the uncomfortable.
“It gave me self-confidence to the point where I’m actually looking for stuff that I could do on my own time that is outside of my [normal routine],” said Thompson. “The Marine Corps kind of put me in situations I never thought I would be in.”
Thompson states that being in her job field; she has to be confident enough in herself and her job proficiency to be reassuring to the pilots, so they can keep focus on the task at hand. She has to make sure she properly guides the pilots in and out the area safely.
As she gains rank and experience, Thompson plans on making her junior Marines her priority. She says as a leader, she is hoping to make a positive impact on her Marines and help them leave their mark.
“I’m a people person,” said Thompson. “I like listening to other people’s ideas and pinging things off of them.”
Thompson said joining the Marine Corps gave her the opportunity to mold herself into the leader she wants to be and allowed her to make an impact on those around her.