Auburn University is an educational institution that many are proud to call home. Here at Auburn, we believe in family, tradition and hard work as stated in The Auburn Creed. There is something special about what we believe at Auburn, however. We don’t simply believe, we emulate these beliefs in our day to day lives. Auburn University has created a family from its community of students and alumni tied together with unbreakable bonds.

When you graduate from Auburn University, your legacy in the family continues. One group of Auburn University Alumni is currently forging their legacy and allowing it to continue on in the United States Marine Corps.

From left to right, Second Lieutenants John Christenson, Adam Morrow, Timothy Marion, Michael Pagoaga, Robert O’Neil, Joe Bianca and Alex Preston graduated from The Basic School (TBS) on Wednesday, June 24, 2015.

These Marines completed four years of NROTC together at Auburn University. They attended freshman orientation together and created a brotherhood through the bonds of the Auburn family. These gentleman studied for class’s together and attended morning Physical Training exercises for the duration of their time at Auburn. Throughout their four years they went to CORTRAMID (Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen), attended Mountain Warfare Training, Officer Candidates School and finally earned their commission as Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps.

After they graduated and earned their title, their bond did not fade. They remained close friends as the group moved to Quantico, Virginia to attend TBS where they learned the basics of being a Marine Corps Officer. Now that they have graduated and received their Military Occupational Specialties (MOS’s), the time has come where they will be parting ways. However, this does not mean that they will not be in touch. This group is part of something bigger than themselves.

"You talk with people in the military and so many of them have stories of an instructor or buddy who went to Auburn and told them how amazing it was," said Christenson. "It's humbling to be a part of that legacy of military service and very fun to unabashedly attempt to make anyone and everyone Auburn fans."

These gentleman are a part of the Auburn Family as brothers in arms. They will forever remember what it means to be a member of the Auburn Family.

War Eagle and Semper Fi, gentlemen!