Kent-Meridian alumnus Restis enters Marine Corps

Published 10:31 am Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Jude Michael Restis, son of Linda and Jude Restis of Kent, was commissioned Aug. 9 as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.

To be commissioned as an officer in the Marines, a candidate must graduate college and successfully complete the Marines’ Officer Candidate School.

Restis, a 2004 graduate of Kent Meridian High School, recently received his bachelor’s degree in geography and political science from Central Washington University in Ellensburg.

He completed 12 weeks of Officer Candidate School in 2006 in Quantico, Va.

The next step for Restis is “The Basic School” in Quantico, a six-month program for all marine officers where they learn to be leaders of Marines.

All Marine officers, no matter their final occupation, are provisional infantry officers and have to be able to lead riflemen in combat.

They also learn finer skills, such as how to host dinners with foreign dignitaries.

After the Basic School, Restis will report to Pensacola, Fla., for primary flight training.