Second Lieutenant David Higgins is competing for the USA in men’s 50-meter prone rifle shooting. The 21-year-old from San Clemente trained for the Olympic event while stationed in San Diego at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
He began shooting rifle at 13 years old. After graduating from high school, Higgins was nominated to attend the Air Force Academy where he was presented the opportunity to shoot rifle competitively. Prior to graduation from the academy, Higgins made the decision to cross commission into the United States Marine Corps.
In an interview for the Marine Corps, Higgins said, “My dad is a Marine, so I grew up in the Marine culture,” said Higgins. “Not only did I want to follow in his footsteps, but I also wanted to lead Marines and was more interested in the ground-based aspect of the Marine Corps.”
And to earn the title ‘Marine Officer,’ you must excel in leadership, academics and physical training. For one newly commissioned Marine Corps officer, not only did he achieve his goal of earning the title Marine, he has also qualified to compete for the United States during the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Higgins said the Marine Corps and the Olympics are both a good fit for him because he loves competing. "Going to the Olympics gives me the chance to compete at the highest level in the world,” Higgins said.
