Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. -- When a Marine needs help, it's the nature of other Marines to lend a hand in any way they can. Some Marines will continue to help even after a Marine leaves the Corps.
Lieutenant Col. Karla M. Jessup, commanding officer, 4th RTBn., helped one of her former Marines to reenlist back in the Marine Corps after he was discharged for having knee problems.
"Marines are known to take care of each other while on the battle field, but being off the battle field doesn't necessarily mean they stop looking out for each other," said Sgt. Robert B. Smith, community relations and media chief, Public Affairs Office, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.
Smith was honorably discharged as a corporal from the Marine Corps in October 1999, due to knee problems after a surgery he had that prevented him from running and taking his Physical Fitness Test.
"I could barely walk so running was definitely out of the question," said Smith.
Smith spent his time as a civilian thinking about his time in the Marine Corps and wished he would be able to reenlist one day.
"Not being around Marines was the toughest part of being a civilian," said Smith. "Civilians don't take care of each other the way Marines do."
After many medical visits, one doctor attempted a second procedure, and almost instantly, Smith was able to run every day, he said.
The first thing that came to Smith's mind after that was to reenlist in the Marine Corps after nearly eight years of being out.
Smith went to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery where he received a waiver of physical standards and reenlisted in the Marine Corps at the rank of corporal in March 2006.
"This was one of the proudest days of my life," said Smith. "Nothing in the world compares to being a Marine."
Despite being discharged from the Marine Corps in 1999, Smith stayed in contact with Jessup keeping her aware of his situation
"Smith was one of my MPs when I worked in Miramar from 1996 to 1999, and I always thought he was a great Marine," said Jessup. "I kept in contact with him when he was out and when I heard he was trying to get back into the Marine Corps I helped as much as I could."
"I was a [commanding officer for a recruiting station] for three years and used the knowledge I learned to help him get back in," she added.
After coming back to the Marine Corps at the rank of corporal, Smith recieved 27 months time in grade that he originally had before his first surgery.
"I had the cutting score for sergeant before I left the Marine Corps so when I came back I wanted the rank of sergeant I had earned years ago," said Smith.
After Smith showed that he earned that rank of sergeant, he came to Parris Island to get promoted by Jessup, who also promoted him to corporal almost 10 years ago.
"I remember the day she promoted me to corporal," said Smith. "Since I couldn't stand because of my knee, I had two Marines lift me up while she put on my chevrons."
"Sergeant Smith is a great Marine who I am proud to see back in the Marine Corps. It's a miracle to see him walking after all these years," said Jessup. "The way I see it, having him back in is a gain for the Marine Corps."
Smith was accompanied by friends and family when he was pinned to the rank of sergeant by his wife Jody Lee Smith and Jessup in front of the Iwo Jima Monument Feb. 7.
"I felt so happy to know that these people showed up to my promotion," said Smith.
"It really shows me how much Marines take care of each other even when they are not in combat," said Smith.