Service member spotlight: change for the better Published May 2, 2013 By Marine Wing Support Squadron 472 JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Staff Sgt. William Cleven, Marine Wing Support Squadron 472 communication electronics maintenance chief, is the joint base's featured service member of the week. Cleven hails from Las Vegas. Q: Why did you join the military? A: I joined the military to change my life for the better. I was in a dead-end job with no real chance for advancement and saw the Marine Corps as a way to change that. Q: What is your job and what is its impact on the mission? A: I repair communications equipment for the squadron, ensuring we maintain a high state of communications readiness. I also assist the communications chief in planning for upcoming training event; this allows us to safely conduct required annual training. I am also the units uniformed victim advocate, electronic key management system manager and the arms, ammunition and explosives officer. Q: Do you have any past or current family members in military? A: I have a niece who is a Navy petty officer 3rd class. Q: Who most inspires you? A: Without any question the person who inspires me the most is my father. While he was never in the military, his work ethic and desire to provide the best life possible for us is something I truly admire and appreciate. To this day, I rely on his counsel for all important decisions in my life. Q: What is one thing you'd like your fellow service members to take away or understand about the military? A: Having worked in the outside world for a number of years before I joined the Marines, I can honestly say the benefits of being in the military far outweigh anything most jobs out there have to offer.