The Lisle father son

ByCpl.ZetaJohnson

Marine Corps Installations East

“Any father would be proud, no matter whatprofession,ifhissondecidedtofollow in his footsteps,” said U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Christopher Lisle the Expeditionary Firefighting & Rescue Chief with MarineAircraftControlGroup-28.“Toshare the title of Marine and to share that bond is somethingthatwedon’treallyspeakabout, but we have become closer and share more thanwhatweusedto.”

Lisle,anativeofLakeland,Florida,joined the Marine Corps in May 1999 to get out of his town, and to get away from dead end jobs.Hewantedtodosomethingmorewith his life and see the world, and the Marine Corpsprovidedjustthat.AccordingtoLisle, over the last 24 years the Marine Corps has providedthatandmore

“It’s really the many accomplishments throughout my career that I look at to say I’mproudof Fromgraduatingbootcampto performingmyjobduringemergencysituations or each rank I have obtained knowing thatmyleadershiptrustedmetocarryonthe responsibilitiesthatcamewithit, saidLisle, but there was something more personal that he says ranks as one of his proudest moments as a father and supersedes all of his accomplishments “I was there when my son came back from the crucible, and I had theopportunity toplace myEGAinhis handsandwelcomehimintotheCorpsasa UnitedStatesMarine.”

U.S.MarineCorpsLanceCpl.DevinLisle an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station New River, joined the Marine Corps September 20,2021,followinginhisfather’sfootsteps

Devin came into the Lisle family in September 2001 when Christopher was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort South Carolina When Devin was younger, Christopher was not around a lot Hewaseitheratworkeveryotherday,upto threedaysinarow,oronadeployment.That leftDevintobemostlyraisedbyhismother, butwhenhisfatherwasaround,heenjoyed watchinghimdohisjobasafirefighterinthe MarineCorps

“Iwaslikeeverylittlekid;‘Mydad’safirefighterIwanttobeafirefighter!”saidDevin. TheLislefamilyhasmanypicturesofyoung Devin dressing up as his father, whether it was in cammies or dress blues Devin was alwaysoutsideplayingwargamesand‘playing Marine’. Even from a young age, Christopher believed Devin wanted to become a Marine.

“Growing up my dad wasn’t around a lot, and it was hard. I didn’t understand at first asachildbutnowIknowthereasonswhy, said Devin. “We didn’t truly start getting closeaswearenowuntilabouttheageof13.”

As Devin grew older and started high school his father convinced him to join the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, commonlyknownasJROTC.Hetransferred to 13 different schools before graduating high school After graduating, Devin spent afewyearsworkinganormaljob,andeventually deciding that he wanted to do more withhislife

“I was a firefighter for Western Carteret, North Carolina for a little bit,’ said Devin. “WhenIwasdoingthat,itreallyopenedmy eyestowhatfirefightingcanbe.”

Devin’s peaked interest led him to talk to his dad about firefighting in the Marine Corps and decided to follow in his father’s footsteps

Both father and son share a unique and special memory, the moment when Devin receivedhiseagle,globe,andanchor(EGA) afterhisbootcampcrucible Hisplatoonwas informed that one of the recruit’s fathers who is in the Marine Corps was coming to the ceremony. Devin, thinking it could be anyone’s father, did not suspect anything until the point in the ceremony where his seniordrillinstructor(SDI)steppedinfront of him to present his EGA His SDI looked at Devin and continued past him without presenting him with the symbol that consummated his becoming of a Marine It wasatthatmomenthesawhisdadoutofthe cornerofhiseye,andthencaughtaglimpse of his mom across the street. Once he was abletowraphisheadaroundhisfamilytruly beingthere,Devinstartedtocry

“I have watched his determination drive himtoaccomplishingwhatisputinfrontof him Hehasaheartofgoldandtakesafterhis motherwithhiscompassionforothers,”said Lisle “As a military brat, he has had many people in his life that helped him build the toolstobesuccessful Iamproudoftheman hehasbecome.”

“There were times growing up when I would get mad when he would have to leave. I understand totally now the reasons whythingshappenedthewaytheydid.Now we have a very strong relationship and talk almost every single day, said Devin “We help each other out when we are together I am so thankful I have him as a father and wouldn’tchangeanything IloveyouDad.”

For his final exercise before retiring,