Strength Rejoices in the Challenge: Dan Klimas, Marine Corps
Daniel Klimas is currently serving as an officer in the Marine Corps. He, his wife Frances, and their son Walter are stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.
Did you think you’d join the military from the beginning of your college career?
Yes, I had wanted to become a Marine officer for a long time and I chose to attend Hillsdale because they had a strong tradition of students commissioning in the Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course. The Wall Street Journal article “How Hillsdale Beats Harvard” confirmed I had made the right choice in choosing to attend Hillsdale.
Were there any experiences or classes at Hillsdale that solidified your desire to join the military?
Not exactly. Instead of experiences or classes, it was some of my fellow students that solidified my resolve to join the Marines. Two mentors of mine, James Markman and Matthew Duquette, were fellow students and veterans. Victor Tenbrink, a fraternity brother and eventually best man at my wedding, went through all the entry level training with me. So, I would say “it’s the people”. As for classes, no one class made me want to be a Marine more. However, the Constitution class has proved invaluable to be able to discuss knowledgeably with Marines what we have sworn to support and defend.
Because Hillsdale doesn’t have an ROTC program, what steps did you take to join immediately after graduation?
Hillsdale’s lack of a ROTC program did not hinder me in my goal to earn a commission in the Marines. Instead, I attended the Platoon Leaders Course, a bootcamp-like experience in Quantico, VA, my freshman and sophomore summers.
How did your Hillsdale experience influence your military experience?
My Hillsdale experience has and continues to influence my military experience. First, I met my beautiful wife, Frances, at Hillsdale and she continues to support me everyday. Second, there are quite a few active duty Hillsdale grads scattered across the various Marine Corps bases. At Camp Pendleton alone we have at least five, forming an ad hoc alumni group. Finally, being a Sigma Chi was a valuable experience in leadership and working with all types of people.