Chris D’Orazio

Pictures:  Left — UT Triple Jumper Chris D’Orazio; (Right) Col. Dan Choike, base commander, presents Chris D’Orazio a challenge coin during D’Orazio’s retirement ceremony on Dec. 5, 2011. D’Orazio’s Semper Fit program changed healthy lifestyle opportunities for the better through sports, health, fitness, and recreation activities for Marines and their families.
UT Track:  1967-1970, Jumper (Long Jump & Triple Jump); UT Varsity Record Holder; SEC Place Winner — Indoor Triple Jump-4th (1968), 3rd (1969), 4th (1970); Outdoor Triple Jump — 2nd (1968), 4th (1969), Outdoor Long Jump — 4th (1968), 4th (1969). USTFF “All American” silver medalist (1969).
Military Service:  USMC; 1971-1974 (Active), 1974-1977 (Inactive); Captain; Duty Stations — Quantico, Lejeune, Pendleton; World Travel as Track Athlete — “All-Marine” and “All-Armed Forces;” USA Track Team; MOS — Logistics Officer, Track Coach/Athlete; Medals — Normal Peacetime, Expert Pistol & Rifle

I missed Vietnam by one graduating class at The Basic School. Originally I tried to enlist in the USMC in 1968, but was talked out of leaving UT by, yes, Coach Chuck Rohe, who was instrumental in sending me to Nashville to join the USMC PLC program. While in the Corps I had an opportunity to win prestigious track and field events, including a gold medal in the Quantico Relays and qualifying for the 1972 Olympic Trials in Eugene.

Comments from Chris D’Orazio:  I did PLC the summer of 1969, graduated in 1970, and served on active duty from March 1971-74. I was promoted to the rank of Captain while in an inactive reserve unit. I missed Vietnam by one graduating class at The Basic School. Originally I tried to enlist in the USMC in 1968, but was talked out of leaving UT by, yes, Coach Chuck Rohe, who was instrumental in sending me to Nashville to join the USMC PLC program. While in the Corps I had an opportunity to win prestigious track and field events, including a gold medal in the Quantico Relays and qualifying for the 1972 Olympic Trials in Eugene. I later worked for Government agencies, both State and Federal. In 1981 I returned to Quantico to serve as the first civilian Special Services Officer, replacing an O6 billet, and retiring in 2011. I named and initiated Semper Fit, which is the parent organizational name for today’s Quality of Life Division of the Semper Fit and MCX Division.