Service member spotlight: family legacy Published July 11, 2013 By Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Marine Corps Sgt. Jorge Guinta, Marine Aircraft Group 49 ground training noncommissioned officer, is the joint base's featured service member of the week. Guinta hails from Cranston, R.I. Q: Why did you join the military? A: I joined the Marine Corps for the challenge and to turn my life around. I needed some direction in life and the Corps instilled that in me. My old friends were going down a path I didn't want to follow. Also, I wanted to make something of myself to make my family proud. Joining the Marine Corps carried out my family legacy by serving in the armed forces, which allowed me to achieve goals I never thought were possible. Q: What is your job and what is its impact on the mission? A: I serve as the ground training NCO for MAG-49.I coordinate and facilitate our ammunition, schedule rifle and pistol ranges, gas chambers, Marine Corps water survival training, and conduct Physical and Combat Fitness Tests. We ensure each Marine meets annual Marine Corps standards by maintaining currency and proficiency in each listed event in order to maintain current unit readiness. Q: Do you have any past or current family members in the military? A: My father and godfather are both retired Army master sergeants. I also have two uncles who served four years each in the Army. I'm the only one in my family to join the Marine Corps. Q: Who most inspires you? A: The person who most inspires me is my father. He retired from the Army and I wanted to follow in his footsteps by making the armed forces a career. Q: What is one thing you'd like your fellow service members to take away or understand about the military? A: Things to take away from this are do what you love, never burn bridges and consider making it a lifetime career. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.