Training and Education Command

MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Two of Parris Island's Marines have recently been accomplishing a mission on a field other than their occupational one.

Corporal James Shipman and Pfc. Gerardo Trevino, both from Depot Finance, teamed up with a semi-pro football team, the Savannah Panthers of the United South Carolina Football League, and have helped the team achieve a record of two wins, no losses and a tie.

James Shipman, Wide Receiver/Tight End/Back-up Quarterback

Shipman hails from Corpus Christi, Texas, where he got an early start in football. He said that at the age of seven he began playing football with the YMCA and continued in junior high and high school.

He said he has always loved playing football and wanted to play while in the Marine Corps as well.

"I just love football," he said. "The base didn't have full contact football and I didn't really want to play flag football."

His love for the sport and dedication has also made him a team player, to the point that he plays multiple positions to get his mission accomplished on the field. Though predominantly a tight end, Shipman has also played wide receiver for the Panthers this year.

"If it's a passing play, I do a check block on the defensive end for about two seconds and then I roll out," Shipman said. "Then I do another check block on a linebacker and then execute my pass routes."

Even though he may not be the playmaker on offense, Shipman is happy with his contributions to the team.

"I'm the one that does the [short pass routes] and curls," he said. " I basically just run routes that will pick up about 10 to 15 yards."

Shipman said that in the two games he has played, one of which was ended at halftime, he has caught four passes and gained approximately 100 yards, including a catch and run that gained more than 50 yards.

Gerardo Trevino, Linebacker

Trevino was born and raised in San Juan, Texas, where he was one of seven children in his family. He said his passion for football came from growing up in a poor neighborhood and playing with friends in streets or parks.

"For a family of ten living in a two bedroom house, things were very interesting growing up," Trevino said. "We never really had all the electronic luxuries, so me and all my friends that lived around me just played football in the street and the nearby park in the projects."

The 19-year-old said he has been playing football ever since he can remember. His high school football team was back-to-back district champs and state quarterfinalists in his senior year.

After high school, Trevino had options to play college football in Texas or Indiana, but chose to join the Marine Corps instead.

"Football is intense just like the Marine Corps," he said. "I just love the rush of looking at your opponent right before the play and knocking the spit out of