For Washington State football players Dave Minnich and Wendell Smith, discipline comes from an altogether different source. Both players spent four years of their lives in the Marine Corps. Although their paths never really crossed in the service, they are forever linked as brothers. Now they are at Washington State University, and they are joined together as teammates.

Smith, a sophomore from Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, made a name for himself in the Marines. He was stationed at Marine Barracks 8th and I (the oldest post in the Corps) in Washington, D.C., where only the top three percent of the Marines get placed. Smith's spotless criminal record and his background history made him an obvious selection. He was honored as a member of the "World Famous Body Bearers," and his duties included infantry and carrying caskets at over 400 funerals of prominent Marines' veterans and United States' congressmen. Smith was also a bouncer at clubs in the D.C., area for extra income on the weekends, whenever the job did not interfere with his Marine duties.

While stationed in Washington, D.C., from 1995 to 1999, Smith was a member of the Presidential Cer

Minnich, from Connecticut, is a transfer from Mt. San Jacinto Junior College, where he was named to the California JC All-America team. He was among the state leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns after both his freshman and sophomore seasons.

But life was not always so good for Minnich. Before joining the Marines or attending college, he had various dead-end jobs. He worked as a valet parker for a casino, and he was also a cook at a fast food restaurant.

"Oh man, that was cold," Smith said. "You don't understand. Being on the top of Capitol Hill in January with the wind blowing was freezing."

Smith, a reserve defensive back and special teams player, likes to keep a low profile, but he cannot hide from his claim to fame. Wearing number 38 in last season's Homecoming game against California, Smith recovered a blocked-punt and delivered the knockout punch to the Golden Bears. It was a moment he'll never forget.

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