Taking responsibility for your successes and failure, and not being afraid to get your hands dirty - all lessons that veteran William Benzel says were instilled at an early age by his father, and often reinforced during his service in the Marine Corps.
The fourth of five siblings growing up in a rural Nebraska community, Benzel states the lack of both work and college tuition influenced his decision to enlist in 1980.
"Everyone seemed to join the Army and the Navy was always out to sea, so I thought the Marines would be the best fit," Benzel said.
Completing his recruit training at San Diego, Benzel was sent to Fort Leonard Wood in 1982 to receive training as a heavy equipment operator.