Inventor, entreprenuer, Marine, all-around good time

Democritus, an Ancient Greek philosopher, once said, “Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold. Happiness dwells in the soul.”

Anyone who doubts the truth of these words need only meet Cpl. Michael “Mikey” Raymundo.

“I just like to have fun and not worry about what’s going to happen tomorrow,” said Mikey, a Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron comptroller and an El Paso, Texas native. “Just live in the moment. I like to make other people laugh, and I don’t care what anybody else has to say. As long as I’m happy with myself, I’m good, and I know I’m always doing the right things.”

Mikey is at the center of every social interaction, and he is always wearing a smile. He brings energy and laughter to a room.

“When he’s not there, everyone keeps asking, ‘Where’s Mikey? Where’s Mikey,’” said Cpl. Maxmillion Page, the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron legal chief, a Thousand Oaks, Calif. native and long-time friend of Mikey’s. “He has a very vibrant and unique personality, and everyone loves to have someone like that around. He’s loyal. He’s my brother.”

“I’m no different from anyone else,” added Mikey. “I’m just outgoing. I want to be sociable. I want to get out there and help out my friends. Oh, and I’m sexy.”

Mikey, who has brown skin and brown eyes and comes from a Mexican-American family, is always easy to spot due to his styled black hair and dapper wardrobe.

While growing up in Texas he tried to branch out and try new things.

“Growing up, I always tried to take on new challenges,” said Mikey, now 24. “I always like to try new things, and if I have an opportunity, I’m going to take it. I don’t care about money, materials, cars or possessions. None of that matters to me. As long as I’m healthy, my family’s good and we have what we need to survive, that’s all we really need.”

Mikey became active in wrestling and football, playing as a starting linebacker. He would spend summers with his grandmother across the border in Juarez, Mexico.

He attended El Paso Community College after high school and earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice. While going to class as a fulltime student, Mikey also worked as a corporate trainer for Famous Dave’s, traveling across the Southwest and opening stores.

After earning his degree in 2008, he decided it was time to enlist in the Marine Corps.

“I wanted to join before it was too late,” added Mikey. “I wanted to do something different, and since I was little, I wanted to join the Marines. It was now or never.”

At the end of his active service, Mikey plans to join the reserve unit in his hometown and continue with the Corps until retirement.

However, he also has goals outside the Corps. Mikey plans to become an entrepreneur. He is already working on a couple of inventions. One, a stationary workout machine, already has a patent pending.

“I couldn’t do the workout I wanted to do one day because it was raining,” explained Mikey. “So I started drawing things up and talking to people.”

Regardless of what happens, Mikey is determined to stay positive.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be a great invention,” said Mikey. “I’m just going with the flow and doing what my instinct tells me. I’ve got nothing to lose other than money, and money comes and goes.”

Mikey is determined to see his dreams come true, and his views on life have the clarity to see his goals through.

“Live life,” said Mikey. “Smile. Don’t be so grumpy. Don’t act so cool. Don’t act so tough. Be a humble person and love everyone around you. Respect your family and friends. Do good things and good things will happen to you. Go out and get it. Don’t be shy, and don’t be scared.”