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It’s a time of change for the Duggar family.
Most of these changes are bad, like Joseph Duggar’s arrest on child molestation charges.
But some of these changes are completely unexpected — including the news that Derick Dillard is joining the Marine Corps.
Yes, it’s not the most common career move for 37-year-old husbands and fathers, but Derek has taken the pledge, and will soon be moving on to basic training.
News of this surprising development comes from his blog Jill Duggar:
“Derek has joined the Marines!” Gill wrote, adding:
“He has been selected for Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS)!” Jill wrote this week with a photo (above) of Derek pledging to participate as his three sons looked on.
“He’s shipping out for active duty to Quantico, Virginia in a few weeks! And God willing he will be commissioned as an officer at the end of OCS and then go to two more training exercises before getting his assignment as a JAG officer in the Marine Corps!”
Longtime Duggar fans will remember that Derek worked as an attorney for several years before leaving his job as a prosecuting attorney/assistant district attorney in Oklahoma.
Now he hopes to become a Marine JAG>
“Becoming a JAG military officer has been something Derek has wanted to do for a long time, even receiving a recruiting letter last year from the Marine Corps, but the timing just wasn’t right for our family, and by the time we were ready, we weren’t sure the opportunity would still be available.”
Judge Advocate General – is “a commissioned officer and qualified attorney who provides legal services, advice, and counsel to Marine Corps commands and personnel.”
He will spend 10 weeks in Quantico, Virginia, attending Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OSC), and after that, Jill and the children will move to Virginia to be with him.
At some point, the family will move to Rhode Island to receive additional training.
“After starting the process in early March, we were surprised at how quickly things came together and the doors kept opening, so much so that we couldn’t deny that God was leading us in this direction,” Jill wrote.
“God willing, after 10 weeks of Derek’s intense training at OCS, Jill and the kids will move on to join him in Virginia, then Rhode Island for the remainder of his training.
“We appreciate your prayers for the health and strength of Derek as he prepares and trains at OCS, and for the rest of us as we live without him for a bit and prepare for our new family transitions!”
Despite the Duggars’ patriotism, Derek is the first member of the family to join the military.
Interestingly, as The Ashley’s Reality Roundup reported, none of the Duggars commented on Jill’s posts announcing Derick’s new gig.
But to be fair, they have other things on their minds these days.
