Maturity is a step toward growing up and accepting responsibility for the actions that one makes throughout their life. It is also part of the foundation that builds a strong leader.
Lance Cpl. Joseph Bermudez, Platoon 2169, Company H, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, had always been a mature teenager. The young honor roll student spent his time juggling sports, school, and other extracurricular activities, while still managing to have time for a social life.
“He’s always had that mind set to be successful,” said Jessica Tavarez, Bermudez’s girlfriend. “Whatever he does he always puts 150,000 percent into it.”
When the active teenager learned that he was going to be a father, he didn’t allow himself to look at it as a road block to achieving his goals.
“After I found out my girlfriend was pregnant, my first thought was, ‘What are we going to do?’” said Bermudez, a 17-year-old Visalia, Calif. native. “I accepted it and looked at what my options were; since then, having my daughter has been the greatest thing that has ever happened.”
On Aug. 1, 2010, Bermudez welcomed his daughter, Juliet Rose, into the world. As young as he was, he accepted his role as a father and was there for her since day one.
Bermudez watched his daughter grow every day and soon realized that he wanted to prove to her above anyone else that he can still follow his dreams and be successful.
“I want to show her that even with obstacles placed in front of you, you’re always able to reach your goals,” said Bermudez. “No matter what kind of obstacle is in front of you.”
Bermudez always dreamed of enlisting in the Marine Corps and making a career of it since he was a child. He admired how Marines carried themselves and the fact that they never did anything to the bare minimum.
“Marines always strive to be the best,” explained Bermudez. “Even then, the best isn’t good enough for them; they’re always seeking ways to improve themselves.”
In Dec. 2011, Bermudez graduated from Redwood High School, Visalia, Calif.. He took more classes to earn enough credits to graduate early. He enlisted active-duty in the Marine Corps and was shipped out to recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego April 2.
Since the day that Bermudez stepped aboard the depot, his maturity, will to lead and helpfulness was what stood out the most to his drill instructors, explained Sgt. Lorenzo Hernandez, senior drill instructor, Plt. 2169, Co. H, 2nd RTBn.
“Bermudez is the second youngest in the platoon and he stepped up to be the guide when no one else would,” said Hernandez, a 25-year-old Los Angeles native. “He takes initiative, motivates the other recruits and showed us that he is very determined to be a Marine.”
The guide is a recruit that confidently displays leadership traits daily and is required to take responsibility of the platoon. Earning the billet of guide is something that recruits should strive for throughout training, according to Hernandez.
“He was quiet at first, but when he realized how big of a role he had, he really stepped up and took charge,” said Pfc. Chris Mulryan, Plt. 2169, Co. H, 2nd RTBn. “Being guide gave more responsibility and made him even more mature than he already was.”
Although Bermudez’s maturity and determination allowed him to lead the platoon, he also learned about what it really meant to be a good leader.
"I learned a lot about time management and how to speak to the other recruits,” explained Bermudez. “It’s not about yelling and screaming at everyone; if you want to be a good leader, you need to set the example.”
While he motivated his fellow recruits throughout training, Bermudez’s main motivation was being able to hold his daughter again.
“He received pictures of his daughter about three or four weeks into training,” said Mulryan, a 20-year-old Indianapolis native. “It was the only time that I ever saw him cry.”
A laminated picture of his 22-month-old daughter was what Bermudez kept on him at all times and would look to when the recruit training got the best of him.
“I would take the picture out and would remind myself that when times got tough, not to get frustrated and push through,” explained Bermudez. “That is something I want my daughter to know and value.”
Since Bermudez has proven himself as a leader in recruit training, he will take those traits and continue to set the example as a father and Marine throughout his career.