Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- From guarding nuclear air launch missiles in the Air Force to becoming a combat engineer for the Army, this new Marine found a true sense of belonging as a United States Marine.
Private First Class Jacob D. Willhelm, Platoon 3233, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, grew up living a southern life style in Grantsburg, Wis. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting guns and making the most of his memories around a bonfire with friends.
When the outdoorsman wasn’t hunting or fishing, he was either in skates on an ice rink playing hockey, on fresh cut grass playing golf, on a dirt track racing motocross or running cross country.
Although the athlete had several chances to pursue athletic opportunities, it was at a young age that he knew he wanted to join the armed services.
“My dad sat me down when I was younger, and we watched the movie Top Gun together,” said Willhelm. “Ever since that day, I wanted to become a pilot. That dream soon faded away once I realized I didn’t meet all of the requirements to become a pilot.”
Although Wilhelm’s could not pursue being a pilot, his desire to join the service still burned inside him.
“I was originally going to join the Army, but after talking to my mom, she convinced me to join the Air Force,” said Willhelm. “I tried out for pararescue, and it didn’t work out, so I ended up landing a job as security forces.”
The airman was stationed in Minot, N.D., where he served in the 5th security squadron guarding nuclear air launch missiles and B 52 bombers. After serving three years in the Air Force, he decided to join a different branch of service but wanted to attend school first.
“After the Air Force, I worked different jobs for a couple of years and went to school for criminal justice. I decided to join the National Guard after that,” said Willhelm. “It was my way of getting my foot back in the door, but I didn’t plan on staying in the National Guard.”
The soldier used his two years of National Guard service to become qualified as a combat engineer. Once he completed the requirements for that, Willhelm decided to return to active duty.
“I talked to an active duty Army recruit first, but he didn’t seem to have the tools to help,” said the soldier. “I walked out of the Army’s recruiting office and straight into the Marine Corps’ recruiting office where I found all the help I needed.”
Once Willhelm settled on a military occupational specialty in communications, he was on his way to Marine Corps basic training to accomplish his new found goal in becoming a Marine.
Willhelm explains that the Marine Corps’ basic training was by far the most challenging.
“The Crucible was tough to get through,” said Willhelm. “After reaching the top of Reaper Mountain and having the eagle, globe and anchor placed in my hand, the feeling of accomplishment was beyond anything I had ever felt. It’s a special feeling to embrace when you know you truly earned something. I enjoyed serving my country in other branches of service, but now I know why they set the Marine Corps apart from the other armed forces. The Marine Corps is where America gets its money’s worth.”
Now that Willhelm has earned his place among United States Marines, he will continue his schooling at Marine Combat Training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then on to his military occupational specialty school to learn his profession of communications.