San Diego -- It was on the morning of September 11, 2001 when it happened. The tragedy that struck the United States taking thousands of lives. Millions of more people around the world stopped their everyday life to witness the disaster fold right before their eyes on television.
For one individual, like many others, it seemed as if it was just another day before it happened. He was sitting in class in Southold Junior High School in Long Island, New York, as teachers began to turn on the news.
Robert M. Surozenski stopped in shock that day as he watched the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center’s twin towers take place in New York City.
Although Surozenski understood what was happening, it wasn’t until he came across one of the first photos released from that day when he felt his emotions set in.
“I remember seeing a photo of a man that had jumped from one of the twin towers because he was trapped,” said Surozenski, the 23-year old. “I just remember feeling angry. I just couldn’t believe that they would come to our turf and (commit) those attacks.”
Having a desire to enlist already when he attended a Memorial Day parade at a younger age, he knew that his aspirations to become a U.S. Marine were now for certain.
“From that day I didn’t just know I wanted to be a Marine,” said Surozenski. “I was determined to pay my debt back for all the fallen heroes that died that day.”
With a patriotic family to support him, Surozenski enlisted immediately after high school in July of 2007 with the heart and mind to serve his country in honor of the fallen heroes.
During his enlistment he decided to become a drill instructor to take part in shaping the Marine Corps by transforming recruits into Marines. Just 18 days after his promotion to sergeant, Surozenski submitted his package to attend drill instructor school.
“I always wanted to be a drill instructor,” said Surozenski. “They always represented themselves with such high standards. They always looked perfect.”
Now, five years after he enlisted, a sergeant and drill instructor for platoon 1066, Company D, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Surozenski found himself in the field training recruits in their final stage of becoming Marines, 11 years to the day since the terrorist attack.
Surozenski’s primary mission for the current cycle as a “third hat” drill instructor is to instill discipline in the recruits, according to Sgt. Frank Cruz, drill instructor, Plt. 1066, Co. D.
“He has a lot of heart and passion as a drill instructor,” said Cruz. “He has a great work ethic and always tries to better himself. Has takes a lot of pride in training recruits.”
As drill instructors and recruits went on with their training, music began to play approximately a quarter until the hour. It was 8:46 a.m.
“We stood there for a second wondering why taps went off and when we finally realized what time it was we popped to attention,” said Surozenski. “This was also the reason why we sparked a conversation with the recruits about 9/11.”
Recruits of Co. D shared their experiences as they discussed the attack with the drill instructor; where they were that day and what it meant to them.
“It’s somewhat surreal how I’m here training recruits to fight for the same reason I chose to fight for,” said Surozenski. “They were watching the same thing I was that day. Being out here on this day means a lot and it kind of puts it into perspective as I read the citations.”
Citations of Marines and their heroism are displayed throughout the crucible and are read to recruits before they execute a training task.
“Marines that have gone before left a mark on history and it’s still happening today for reasons like 9/11,” said Surozenski. “Marines are still doing the same things now as they did then, leaving a mark on history. Nothing’s changed about the Marine Corps. The mentality is still the same, to fight for this country.”