Boot Camp Grad Earns Commission

[Vulture6]

Co. L grad expected to earn commission today
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 2005415134154
Story by Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.


Pfc. Christopher D. Farino proofreads a letter he must submit to members of his religion in the Navy's Chaplain Corps before he can earn its blessing to become a chaplain. Depot chaplains said they have never seen a case like Farino's where a Marine goes directly to the Chaplain Corps following recruit training. Photo by: Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (April 15, 2005) -- If everything goes as he plans, a San Diego reverend will be commissioned an ensign in the Navy a couple hours after graduating today as a private first class in the Marine Corps.

Christopher D. Farino, a minister in the Church of the Nazarene, has dedicated his life to religion and service to others, but while serving as pastor of student ministries at Temple City Church of the Nazarene, Temple City, Calif., he felt compelled to answer another calling.

"God wanted me to find something outside the church," said Farino. "I had always thought about the military."

He chose the Marines, perceiving them to be the best.

After talking with a recruiter, Farino enlisted in the Marine Corps, shipped to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, and joined Platoon 3059, Company L. He planned to enter an enlisted commissioning program immediately after recruit training.

Farino was not always a religious man. He said he came from an abusive family with no interest in God.

A group of fellow high school students introduced Farino to religion for the first time his sophomore year. He then went into a religious summer camp, kick starting his new path in life.

Farino is scheduled to become an infantryman under his enlistment contract if he fails to pass the Chaplain Corps selection board, but those chances are slim, according to 3rd Recruit Training Battalion chaplain Navy Lt. Frank P. Muñoz and other depot chaplains. Nonetheless, early in training, Farino struggled to mentally prepare himself for service in the infantry. He requested to see a chaplain because he was scared and needed prayer, according to Farino and his senior drill instructor Sgt. Peter J. O'Brien, an infantryman by trade who said he believes Farino would make a very capable grunt.

Farino said boot camp was a challenge, but it helped him gain discipline and strengthen his marriage and spirituality.

"Being away made me realize how much I love her," he said. "Having to write letters improved our communication. When you see the same face every day for four or five years, you don't always realize how important they are to you."

Boot camp also helped him lose 20 pounds through a strict diet, and he became stronger physically.

"I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world," Farino said. "God was shaping and maturing me in this process."

When Farino spoke to Muñoz, his experience and true calling came to light. Farino graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, in 2000 with a bachelor's in biblical and Christian studies. Moreover, he is one year away from earning a master's in pastoral studies from Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, Calif.

Muñoz said the depot chaplains and Marines have never seen a case like Farino's. Both O'Brien and Muñoz agreed Farino would serve his country better as a chaplain rather than as an infantryman. Every level in the reverend's chain of command has endorsed his conditional release from the Marine Corps, should he be accepted to the Navy's Chaplain Corps, according to Muñoz.

According to Farino's senior drill instructor, Muñoz led the way and worked with Farino to submit a candidacy package to the Chaplain Corps, keeping the senior drill instructor in the loop.

However, there were setbacks: During his second phase of training, Farino felt he shouldn't complete Marine Corps training and saw no reason to keep going.

After O'Brien and Muñoz talked with Farino, graduation became a worthwhile goal and an experience he said he will never forget or take for granted. O'Brien said Farino showed great effort and acted like he wanted to train.

"He was one of the best recruits in the platoon," said platoon mate Pvt. Ty R. Jones. "He could have been guide if he wanted to. He was one of the biggest leaders in the platoon. Recruits listened to him."

Farino showed leadership, physical ability, and the drive to help his platoon mates' religious needs.

According to Muñoz, Farino played the role of platoon chaplain without the rank. He trained right alongside them and made himself available for their religious needs. At nights, Farino huddled with more than 20 recruits from his platoon in Protestant prayer, according to O'Brien.

Many recruits felt at ease with a minister in their ranks.

"I was able to open up to him when I had problems in the beginning," said platoon mate Pvt. Stephen J. Lucas. "He lent an ear when I needed it and gave me advice on spiritual problems ..."

As he finished training, Farino said he feels one major lesson he learned here is worth spreading to others: "Even when you make a somewhat uninformed and impulsive decision, if your heart is in the right place, God can bless you beyond anything you can ever imagine."