Staley, an infantry unit leader by trade, joined the Marine Corps in January 1995. He is married and has six children, four girls and two boys.

Staley joined the Marine Corps because he wanted to travel the world and get money for college.

“After I came in, I saw that it was easy, so I decided to stay,” Staley said. “Leadership came real easily, so I stayed for the long haul.”

As he talks, Staley has an easy smile. He seems down to earth about his accomplishments in the Marines and refers to everything as a matter of fact. He earned his bachelor’s degree in human resources and is working on his master’s degree in psychology. After he retires from the Marine Corps he wants to become a high school principal.

“I like to help kids, the knuckleheads, the troubled teens. I want to show them a brighter side to what they grew up with,” Staley said. “As a kid, I had a coach and a teacher mentor me. I want to give that mentorship to other kids.”

Staley talks about using his experience in the Marines to help him reach out to kids. He wants to use what the Marines have taught him about being a leader and help teenagers.

“I’ve done a lot in the Marines, I’ve traveled the world twice, met a lot of great people and made a lot of contacts, now I’m ready to give something back,” Staley said. “I want to teach kids leadership and help guide them, maybe even become a district superintendant so I can further my outreach.”

Like many Marines, Staley likes to watch movies, workout and sleep in his downtime. His favorite movie is Master and Commander. His eyes light up and his words ring with authority as he talks about it.

“I like the movie for the discipline it shows,” Staley said. “Back then you were a leader or you weren’t. There was no putting you in charge and see if you can gradually take command, you either did it or they got rid of you.”