CULLMAN – Gracie Aiken is a member of Cullman High School’s Class of 2017 and, more recently, the Marine Corps. Because she spent a year in the Delayed Entry Program, she started boot camp on July 10 of this year and graduated on Friday, Oct. 6. Her two years as a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) helped her get a promotion to private first class, and her military occupational specialty is motor transport.
Aiken said that the Marine Corps was her first choice of military branch, and when asked about her reason for joining, she replied, “Growing up I always felt it was my duty to protect the smaller person, the underclassmen, or just people who were bullied. I guess the Marine Corps is my way of protecting those who cannot protect themselves.”
On her plans for the future, Aiken stated that she’d like to do 20 years of service and then get out and travel on motorcycle, as well as take advantage of the educational opportunities the Corps provides. However, she said that at present, “I’m just really trying to learn from the amazing leaders I’m put under so I can become a better leader as I earn promotions.”
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