Face of Defense: Lance Corporal Aspires to World Travel

By Marine Corps Sgt. Ned Johnson
Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, March 26, 2013 – When people talk about traveling the world, they might think of places such as Rome, Australia and the Caribbean.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nickolas Franklin joined the Marine Corps to travel the world. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ned Johnson   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

But for Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nickolas Franklin, Afghanistan’s Helmand province is just one of the many destinations he wants to visit. Franklin, a data network specialist with 1st Marine Division’s Regimental Combat Team 7, said he joined the Marine Corps to travel the world and see faraway places.

Franklin said he grew up in Richmond, Calif., and had plenty to see and do on the coastline there, but he was anxious for more.

The idea of joining the service materialized for him at an early age, Franklin said, as he had family in the Marine Corps while he was growing up. “I had seen the uniforms and the lifestyle,” 21-year-old Marine added. “That’s why I had to choose the Corps.”

An avid Oakland Athletics fan, Franklin focused on playing baseball as a boy, but now he said his focus is ensuring Marines in combat can communicate.
“He is willing to go above and beyond to accomplish the mission and has quickly become my ‘go-to’ Marine when it comes to data related issues,” said Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Felix Severino, the regimental combat team’s data chief.

Franklin is more than just good at his job, Severino added. He’s also a good Marine.

“He has a strong leadership presence and is constantly striving to improve himself and give guidance to his peers and junior Marines,” Severino said. “He is aware of his surroundings and is always boosting morale in the shop.”

While he wants to travel the globe, Franklin said, he also is working on his bachelor’s degree in psychology. He plans to be a psychologist someday, he said, but not just yet.

“I want to be a Marine security guard,” he said. “I think it would be amazing.” Marine security guards provide protection at U.S. Embassies around the world, which Franklin said provides the perfect opportunity for him to continue his adventures. He hopes to be stationed in South America if he is selected for the duty, he added.