The Education of an Officer

We pursue a higher education for a number of reasons — most often for the betterment of our minds or to pursue a particular profession. Neither are true reasons for Joseph Masini. Joseph Masini came to the University of Utah because he wants to be an officer in the United State Marine Corps.

“My goal was to just be a Marine and I’ve achieved that goal,” Joseph said. “But the Marines wanted me to become an officer. To do so requires a degree, so here I am.”

Joseph grew up in Lund, NV and enlisted in the Marines as a 17-year-old high school senior. By the age of 23 he was accepted into the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program — a program that allows a select few of enlisted Marines to pursue college degrees as preparation for becoming officers.

“I chose Utah because of the quality of the Navy ROTC program. Everything seemed right. It’s a very professional atmosphere where the support is in place for everyone to succeed,” Masini remarks.

While Masini entered the U much older and experienced than the majority of his fellow freshmen, he shared the common struggle of settling on a major. He dabbled in both exercise and sports science and sociology before discovering that geography was the perfect fit.

“I attended the geography awareness week and found the GIS (Geographic Information Science) station interesting — particularly because I had some field experience in the area. A few months later I was enrolled in Intro to GIS taught by Tom Cova. I remember sitting there in my civilian clothes as he talked about military GIS systems that ‘we don’t even know anything about.’ I sat there thinking yeah, I wish I could tell you something about them. By the end of his class I was hooked.

“I love the practical application of geography. I love the map and compass work, but Principles of Cartography really broadened my perspective. I see maps in a very practical way, and was introduced to the artistic aspect of mapping that you never get in the military — the design, color schemes, visual appeal. It was good to see things in a different light,” said Masini.

Masini’s excellence in the classroom has earned him a College of Social and Behavioral Science Honor Roll Scholarship three years in a row. “Without the scholarships, I don’t know what I’d do — I’d probably have to take a second job. It’s a real relief. I wish I had the words to express my gratitude to the people who have supported me. The Marines give me the time to pursue a degree but not the money.”

Complicating things even more for Masini are his wife and three girls. “My wife’s the best there is. When I need time to study she takes the girls into another room or another place. Having a family has helped my education — it’s kept me responsible and kept my habits where they should be.”

When asked how earning a bachelor’s might help Masini as a Marine Corps officer he said, “Problem solving skills. A student has to negotiate a lot of challenges and solve a lot of problems. It’s a skill leaders need in the military. I have also learned something about time management — balancing my roles as a Marine, a student, a father and a husband. I have really paid attention to how to distribute my time.”

Masini will graduate this year and immediately report to Quantico, VA where he’ll be a Second Lieutenant Infantry Platoon Commander.