23-year old Ulysses Milana wanted to enlist in the military, but both the Army and Navy recruiters saw a guy who, at 330 pounds, had a lot of weight to lose before he could sign up.

So Mr. Milana visited the United States Marine Corps recruiters, who like the Army and Navy recruiters, saw someone who needed to lose a lot of weight - 140 pounds - but the Marine Corps recruiters ran with him and encouraged him.

He ran...and cut his food portions way down.  Now, 11 months later, Mr. Milana is on his way to Paris Island to become Private Milana.

Only time will tell how he'll really like the Marine Corps experience, but one thing Private Milana has already learned is the creed that's pounded into every Marine Corps recruit:  don't tell me it can't be done until I've already done it.

I'm Jim Sumpter and that's "My Take".