Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Near death experiences can come in a variety of forms because death is not particular to one cause. It can come by old age, it can come by disease and it can even come by freak accident.
For Recruit Kyle W. Bagley, Platoon 2109, Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, it was the latter of the three that nearly took his life. He was a sophomore in high school when he was involved in a major automobile accident. While sitting passenger side in a friend’s car, he felt the driver turn into a curve too fast and lose control of the vehicle.
Bagley said he could see the car headed for a tree, but he was unable to yell, "Brake!" before it was too late. He said he blacked out upon impact of the tree and recalls coming to after the vehicle stopped rolling over.
“I was awake in the ambulance and I remember thinking, ‘I hope it’s not that bad,’” said the Camby, Ore., native. Of the teenagers involved, Bagley received the most life threatening injury, a blood clot in his brain.
Upon arrival to the hospital, he fell asleep and soon after doctors determined he needed emergency brain surgery and was rushed in for a craniotomy.
Miraculously, two hours after the operation he awoke without any problems. Four days later he left the hospital with no mental or physical wounds other than 38 staples in his head.
“The doctors told me that basically not many people survive the surgery, and those who do usually survive it with some sort of disability. They told me I was extremely fortunate to come away from the surgery the way I did.”
Although the accident did not leave any lasting injuries, Bagley said he felt differently about himself than he did prior to the accident.
“I felt like I hadn’t challenged myself at all,” said Bagley. “I wanted a challenge, and the biggest one there was, was the Marine Corps.”
However the road to military service, with his injury, was not easy. Upon talking to a recruiter he was told he needed to wait a minimum of one year from his accident before applying to the Corps. Also, during the required waiting time, he needed to sign a medical waiver, but even that couldn’t guarantee he would be cleared and accepted for recruit training.
Bagley said that didn’t deter him. Although the chances were slim, he said he kept faith that he would achieve his goal.
Approximately two and half years from his initial recruiter visit, Bagley was accepted for military duty.
“The whole time I just kept faith that everything would work out, and if it didn’t, I made sure to have a backup plan,” said Bagley.
Today he will graduate recruit training and has thus far excelled. His drill instructors were quick to heap praise on Bagley’s growth and performance.
“He’s a strong individual mentally and physically,” said Sgt. Donnel D. Bryant, drill instructor, Platoon 2109. “He’s definitely in the top ten percent of the platoon. I believe he fits the mold of what the Marine Corps needs, strong- minded individuals who set themselves apart from average.”
After a long journey of recovery, waiting for admittance into training and hard work, Bagley is near his goal of conquering his biggest challenge. He explained he believes his near death experience was essential in giving him the drive to join the Marine Corps.
“The accident was a necessary experience. I wouldn’t be the same man if it didn’t happen. Life is too short to not take risks and challenge yourself, that’s why I’m here.”