There are a lot of alumni that graduated Lakeland Regional High school that are doing great things around the world, and this list includes my brother, Adonai Thompson. Throughout his time at LRHS, he made us proud by playing football, lacrosse and wrestling, before graduation in 2019. In 2022, that pride increased when he joined the United States Marine Corps.
Thompson is in the Marine Corps. The Marines stand on the foundation that they are a “united force, greater than any individual” that protects our nation and its ideals.
Thompson is currently stationed in Japan. There are over 18,000 marines, sailors, and families stationed there, where the marines work to support the U.S./Japan Security Treaty and train in the various terrains.
His role is a Reconfigurable Transportable Consolidated Automated Support System technician. In this role, Thompson fixes electrical components for aircrafts and fixes their support equipment.
Thompson thinks Japan is a unique place to serve. In his freetime, he loves to try new food spots and go to the beach with her friends. He loves to play ruby with the Japanese and the other military members, and he enjoys snowboarding in the winter time in the mainland.
Thompson’s journey into the marines started In 2022 when he decided he was going to enlist in the military. He had to spend six months in boot camp in South Carolina. He then was based in Florida for seven months and California for another five months before being deployed to Japan.
Advice for High Schooler’s Joining the Military
A few pieces of advice he would like to tell young people wanting to enlist the military is:
The Marine Corps is Not Easy: Although no branch of the military is easy, the marine corps is an especially challenging branch to join. “If you want to face challenges everyday, join the marines.”
Know Your Plans: “And if you want to be an officer, go reserve or ROTC and get your degree” before you serve. This means you go through basic training and train while going to school. In return, “the military can help pay for college,” and you will serve your country and be an officer after graduation.
Take Advantage of What Each Branch Offers: “Make sure you get what you want from the military because the military will get what they want out of you works wise.” There are so many different career paths and opportunities, not just combat. Do your research and find the path that meets your needs and wants before making the commitment to join.
Hard Work Pays Off
Thompson has always been a hard worker. On the field, in his senior year of football, 2017, the LRHS Lancers were runner ups for the state championship, and he personally had 15 tackles and .5 sacks. His wrestling career saw him in part of 3 weight classes,182, 195 and 220, and winning 12 of his 14 matches. Thompson also saw success in lacrosse, earning 43 ground balls throughout his career at LRHS. Due to his hard work, In his junior year of college, Thompson was granted a scholarship.
As a proud sister, I’m just very happy that Adonai is doing something he enjoys and he’s giving back to the community and country.
Want to find out more about the Marine Corps? Click here to learn how to join and the benefits of becoming a member of this elite branch of the U.S. military.
