Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- The majority of recruits entering the Marine Corps are young men and women at an average age of 19.
However, Pfc. Nicholas W. Nichols, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, began his service at 26 years old, just two years before he would be ineligible.
Growing up in Pismo Beach, Calif., with his mother and five siblings, Nichols’s mother worked three jobs as he and his sibling’s took care of daily tasks around the house.
During his adolescent years, he lacked an interest in school. As he grew older, his urge to learn grew and he put forth more of an effort to get the best education he could.
“I didn’t like school until I found classes that interested me,” said Nichols. “I really liked business classes.”
In 2008, he began his freshman year at college in pursuit of an associate’s degree in criminal justice. While studying, Nichol’s worked as a park ranger at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, patrolling the beach and campgrounds.
“I loved it,” said Nichols. “The job was awesome and I worked on the dunes most of the time.”
Nichols graduated from Cuesta Community College in 2012, received his associates in criminal justice and continued to serve as a state park ranger for four more years. In 2016, he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps.
“The cut off for the Marines is 28 years old,” said Nichols. “Joining the Marine Corps is something I’ve wanted to do since seeing the commercials as a kid. I wanted to join before it was too late and not regret not taking the chance.”
In May 2016, Nichol’s arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as a part of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.
His age and maturity quickly caught the attention of his drill instructors and fellow recruits and he assumed leadership and mentoring roles.
“I was looked at as a father figure,” said Nichols. “People came to me and I tried my best to help them with whatever it was.”
Being an older, more experienced recruit, he was constantly approached for advice and to represent the platoon.
“My platoon called me ‘the ambassador’,” said Nichols. “I would approach our drill instructors for questions if our platoon needed it. My senior drill instructor would ask me about the platoon’s status.”
Nichols served as a squad leader several times during recruit training, but he gave the responsibility to younger recruits so they could learn how to be leaders.
“I wanted to give other recruits the opportunity to lead and better themselves,” said Nichols. “I knew I had a role to play already, I felt like I could help more if I stepped down and assisted others.”
As an older recruit, the physical aspects of training were more difficult for him than his younger platoonmates.
“I struggled in the beginning,” said Nichols. “Most of these guys that are 18 years old were in much better shape than me.”
Nichols made vast physical improvements by the end of training.
“All of my physical training scores have improved since I got here,” said Nichols. “I’ve lost thirty-five pounds of fat since the beginning. I came here at about 205 pounds and now I weigh about 170 pounds.”
On top of his inital physical struggles, Nichols found difficulty with the separation from his family.
“Not hearing the voices of the ones you love everyday was really hard,” said Nichols. “My wife wrote me a letter almost every single day I was here. I think the letters and pictures I got while I was here was why I didn’t quit when I wanted to.”
Nichols found a new sense of brotherhood and accomplishment by completing recruit training.
“When I was a kid I wanted to be a Marine,” said Nichols. “It’s awesome to say I completed a dream I’ve had my whole life.”
Following recruit training, Nichols will report to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupation specialty school to become an expeditionary airfield system technician.