A Dancer's Tour of Duty Iraq changed Marine Sergeant Roman Baca — ballet brought him back

[xchrom]

http://www.villagevoice.com/2013-02-13/news/Roman-Baca-Iraq-Ballet/




VETERAN OF THE STAGE: Roman Baca in Manhattan, February, 2013.

I was born in New Mexico. I grew up in Washington State. After high school, I moved back to New Mexico to go to college, and I started studying dance—ballet and jazz. After a few years, I got the chance to study ballet in a conservatory in Connecticut. Very rigorous training. I worked as a professional ballet dancer for a few years, and then, in 2000, I enlisted in the Marine Corps.

Being a classical ballet dancer has a lot of stigma attached to it. I wanted people to look at me differently. And I wanted to serve my country.

My grandfather was in the Korean War, and my uncles were in the three other services. My family's military history was a factor, but even more than that, I knew so many other Marines. Kids I'd grown up with had gone into the Marine Corps. I had a soccer coach who was a former Marine. All of the Marines I knew had certain values that I felt I wanted in my life.

I walked into the Marine Corps recruiter's office with an earring in each ear and red hair. The recruiter sat me down and did the typical spiel: judgment, justice, integrity, discipline, and so on. I said, "I'll make this really easy for you. I want to be a Marine."