Brother of war casualty joins U.S. Marines

Somewhere in the middle of the Mohave Desert is a rock that Bobby Cabino knows by heart. It’s the one that his older brother Shayne is perched atop in a striking photo that has since become a family treasure.

The photo captures Shayne, who was killed in action in Iraq, during his stay at the Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms, California. There he participated in the month-long Mohave Viper desert training program prior to his deployment in the summer of 2005.

Now, more than six years later, it is Bobby who finds himself in that exact same location, having recently completed boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina. And even if he never finds that particular rock in question, just knowing it’s there gives him a certain level of comfort as he attempts to navigate his first year as a Private First Class in the Marine Corps Reserves.

Currently a student in Alpha Company at the Marine Corps Communication Electronics School, Bobby’s next several months will consist primarily of his military occupational specialty (MOS) training, including basic electronics courses as well as regular PT (physical training) and martial arts training.

It’s a far cry from the live fire and role-playing exercises that Shayne experienced during his time at the base; however, Bobby is hoping to soon switch over to active duty and would love to eventually make a career out of the Marine Corps.

“I have always wanted to join the military,” explained the 2009 CHS graduate in a recent email to the Citizen, adding that he chose the Marines because they are the “top class” and are “held to a higher standard in the eyes of everyone, civilian or military.”

Of course, his brother’s service also played a role, teaching him the real meaning of sacrifice and inspiring him to help others.

Shayne and Bobby Cabino

“I know he died doing what he set out to do: protect his family and make a difference in someone’s life,” Bobby said. “While in Iraq he would bring soccer balls to the children and teach them how to play; he helped train the new Iraqi army. Everything he did, he did for a purpose and would not stop until he fulfilled that purpose.”

“He was a great brother,” added Bobby, recalling Shayne’s larger than life personality and his uncanny ability to make people smile or laugh.

Although technically his half-brother, Shayne had always been close with his father’s side of the family, and they became even closer after Shayne moved to Canton for his senior year of high school, eventually graduating with the CHS class of 2004.

Just 19 when he was killed, Shayne’s death devastated his family and it reverberated across Canton as well as his hometown of Franklin.

Bobby, the youngest of the Cabino siblings, was only a freshman in high school at the time, but the memories from that painful period led him to question whether he should follow his brother’s lead.

“I was a little hesitant because of the reaction I felt that I would be getting from my friends and family,” he explained.

His mother, Mary, was the most visibly upset about his enlistment, although she respected his choice and has been very supportive from the moment he left for boot camp.

“It took me a few days to be able to speak about it without crying,” admitted Mary. “I ultimately realized that he had thought long and hard about it and that it was the right decision for him.”

Still, having already lost a stepson at such a young age, Mary said it is difficult to not think of what could happen if Bobby were ever deployed.

“I don’t know how I would handle it if Bobby were to be deployed overseas,” she said. “I hope with all my being that I will never find out.”

Bobby with his mother, Mary

As for Bobby’s father, William, and his four older siblings, they all seemed to take the news “pretty well” considering the circumstances.

“[My sister] Melissa was a little upset,” Bobby said, “but quickly she began the transition from sadness to support within hours of finding out. My brothers were excited for me and supported me through everything. They would take me out to dinner so we could catch up and spend time together.”

He was also very grateful to have the full support of his fiancée, Sam Kendall, as well as his close-knit group of friends, who all accepted his decision “without question.”

“I don’t believe that I would have been able to do it without all of their help,” said Bobby. “They would constantly send me letters letting me know how everyone was doing and what everyone did for the weekend.”

One of his friends, Ryan Murrin, sent dozens of letters throughout his 13-week stay at boot camp. “He would literally write a new letter each day and then wait for a week or two and then send all of them at once,” recalled Bobby. “My fiancée would send me letters almost daily, telling me how proud of me she was, and giving me all the love and support that I needed to get through such a tough time.”

While at Parris Island, Bobby was assigned to the 3^rd Battalion, India Company, which is known in the Marines as the “Tip of the Spear” and whose motto is “Spirit and Discipline.” He endured extreme physical and mental challenges while in boot camp, culminating with a 54-hour field training exercise known as the Crucible. He graduated as the first squad leader and was meritoriously promoted to private first class.

From boot camp he went to Marine Combat Training in North Carolina, where he learned basic combat skills, including how to operate various weapons.

A 29-day training session, they spent the first week in the barracks. “Then we spent the rest of the time either sleeping in makeshift squad bays, or, during our testing period, we slept in a hole we dug for two nights,” he said.

After completing combat training, Bobby returned to Canton, where he proposed to Sam, his longtime girlfriend. The couple plan to marry on December 30 while Bobby is home on leave, and Sam will then join him on base in California in January.

The reaction from family has been overwhelmingly positive — and there is no doubt that Shayne would be thrilled for him as well.

“Bobby is a strong, caring, and independent young man,” said his mother. “He is very deliberate with his thoughts and actions. He is selfless and loyal. I could not be prouder of the man he has become.”

For Bobby, just reaching this point has been a dream come true, and he knows it would not have been possible without the love and support of his friends and family.

He is also incredibly grateful to have the backing of the Canton community and the public at large. Without their support, he said, the Marines as a branch could one-day cease to exist, especially at a time when budgets are tight.

“I just want to make sure that everyone knows that it’s them who keep us here,” he said.

“I don’t believe people understand the impact that they make on each and every military personnel every day,” added Bobby. “It drives us to be the best we can be, to protect and serve our country, and more importantly the citizens of this great nation.”

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Posted by Jay Turner on Nov 30 2011. Filed under Features. Both comments and pings are currently closed.