Photo By Sgt. Jesse Carter-Powell | U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Hirokazu Watanabe, a Marine with Kilo Company, School of...... read more read more
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Becoming a United States Marine can often involve a challenging path, but for one Marine in particular, his journey included a unique set of obstacles and motivation from various sources.
When he arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Watanabe's path to becoming a Marine hit some road-bumps. There were some issues with his naturalization paperwork. With his name missing from the list of recruits that would go through naturalization during the receiving process, it was not clear if he would be able to graduate on time. Fortunately, these issues were resolved, and he was able to continue on with recruit training.
On Aug. 16, 2024, Watanabe, a 20-year-old, native of Nagoya, Japan and recruited from Fairbanks, Alaska graduated with Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, fulfilling his dream of becoming a United States citizen and a U.S. Marine.
His decision to join the Marine Corps was motivated by wanting to follow in his stepfather’s footsteps.
“My stepfather just retired from the Marine Corps, two years ago. He found a job in Fairbanks, Alaska and he asked me, “Do you want to come with me or just stay in Japan?” I replied that I would go with him. “I went to high school in Fairbanks for one year, and before I graduated my dad asked me what I wanted to do with my future. I said I wanted to be a Marine,” he stated.
When asked about his drive and motivation to earn the title Marine, Watanabe thanked his stepfather.
“When I met my stepfather I was 12 years old. I was a brat, you know, I wasn’t a good kid. But when I met him, a lot of things changed in me, I wanted that kind of discipline. I respected him as a man and as a Marine. It changed who I was, because I wanted to be like him at home. He is the biggest influence in my life above all,” Watanabe stated.
When asked what it meant to him to earn his citizenship and the title of United States Marine, he stated: “For me, being a Marine is the most honorable way to live your life. I believe the Marine Corps is the best military branch in the world, and this is the best job in the world.”
Watanabe offers advice for anyone looking to join the Corps, and maybe worried about being able to earn their United States citizenship. He advocates for considering all military branches, but it was in the Marine Corps that he found the support he needed, stating that his process only took three months, and it was well worth it.
“If you’re not good at speaking English, or there’s a problem with your English. Don’t worry about it, your fellow Marines or recruits will help you out. The people to your left and right are really good people. Sometimes you might get instructions you won’t understand, the people around you will help you out.” said Watanabe.
He graduated from Marine Combat Training on Sept. 19, 2024 and will attend military occupational specialty school in Pensacola, Florida, where he plans specialize in aviation maintenance.
As Watanabe embarks on his journey as a Marine, his story stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the bonds of family that can guide individuals toward greatness.
For more information about becoming a Marine, visit your local recruiting station or marines.com.
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.07.2024 16:19 |
| Story ID: | 482373 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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