MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- In a sense, Shannon and Nicole LaVine were born into the Marine Corps. Their father proudly wears the Marine uniform, as did his father who served during World War II, and once the sisters had come of age, they decided to stretch their family's love of the Corps one more generation.
They were sworn into service earlier this year by their father, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Lauren LaVine, director, Marine Forces Pacific Band, and soon found themselves knee-deep in family tradition aboard MCRD Parris Island, where they both graduated from Platoon 4012, Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, April 21.
The sisters were raised on Marine Corps ethos and becoming a part of the legendary organization seemed like second nature to them. Even after spending eight months in the delayed entry program and going through recruit training, it was still an unbelievable feeling felt by their family and friends.
"I was quite surprised," said Lauren, who stepped in as the guest conductor for the Parris Island Marine Band at the Depot's morning colors ceremony just before his daughters officially graduated. "They have been around the Marine Corps, obviously their entire lives, but I made it a point to never push them in that direction."
Lauren explained that he had always kept them informed of the benefits of serving in the military. When his daughters made the decision to sign on the dotted line, they surprised everyone, including their own father.
"I was absolutely thrilled when they made the decision and told everybody," he said. "It's still just so surreal. We came down the sidewalk and we saw Shannon first. They jumped up, saluted and then ran up and hugged. They were fine salutes too, I might add."
As for Shannon and Nicole, two of the Corps' newest privates first class, their first tastes of being a Marine definitely has them hooked. The sisters, who were rack mates during their time aboard the Depot, charged into their training equipped with a two of the most positive attitudes a Marine Corps recruit could have, and while speaking with the two of them on Family Day, it was as if they'd do it all again, just for fun.
" I feel totally motivated," said Nicole, who celebrated her 19th birthday on Family Day. "There were a lot of people who tried to resist the breakdown [of civilian habits]; they didn't understand what it was for, but I think [my sister and I] tried to embrace it as much as we could and that is why I think we got so much out of [the training]."
"I was expecting the first letter to be pretty negative," added Lauren. "The shock and [awe] just wasn't there."
Prior to shipping out, the pair spent several months in the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program, and according to their father, it was time well spent. Before they had even earned their Eagle, Globe and Anchor, they were giving some of his Marines a run for their money.
"They [participated in physical training] with the unit I am attached to out in Hawaii," said Lauren. "There was one point where they were wearing body armor and running up this mountain call 'Kansas Tower' and they were passing some of my Marines. I was like, OK, they're ready!"
Lauren also noted that the girls did a lot of preparation on their own, such as learning Marine Corps history, customs and courtesies.
"I think there were a couple nights where we even went over the chain of command at dinner," said Shannon, 20, who will attend school to be become an aviation technician following Marine Combat Training.
Since they seemed to have a grasp on what was expected of them during training, Lauren felt there was not much more he could do than just share a little basic advice with them. Advice that has probably helped thousands of recruits before them make it through Marine Corps receruit training.
"I just told them to listen to what they were told and to do it," he said with a laugh.
"'Yes ma'am,' was the best answer for everything," added Nicole, who will move onto school as a combat photographer.
Though they were ready for just about anything, it did not hurt that they had each other, as well as their families legacy to lean on for support.
"Whenever it was tough, it definitely helped knowing people had done it before us," said Shannon.
"My dad has always told us that we are hard-wired for success, it's in our blood, that we can do anything," added Nicole.
As for carrying on the family tradition, the girls seem more than happy to pick up the torch that their father will pass on after he retires next year. There has, after all, been a LaVine in the Marine Corps since 1942, and by the looks of things, it is a proud line of Marines that is sure to continue.
"It's the best thing I've ever done; every blister, every [reveille] was all worth it," said Nicole.