U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, participate in a pugil sticks event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 18, 2023. Recruits executed Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques throughout the pugil sticks event. Martinez was recruited out of Recruiting Station Los Angeles, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Janell B. Alvarez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Janell B. Alvarez

Finding Purpose Through Commitment

26 Jul 2023 | Story by Lance Cpl. Janell Alvarez Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA --

As an only child from Hawaii, Weitse Hsu was seeking purpose for his life.

Recruit Hsu, had a challenging upbringing; being raised by a single father and unable to locate his mother, he felt unfulfilled in life. Something was missing. He felt that attending college after high school was financially unrealistic, and began exploring other opportunities.

He came across a United States Marine Corps recruiting office, where he learned about the brotherhood that embodies the Marine Corps, and the pride that many have experienced from joining. Two weeks after graduating high school, Hsu made his decision and commitment to a new and exciting lifestyle that would change his life forever.

Shortly after Hsu found himself on the yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he would spend the next 13 weeks facing a multitude of obstacles and challenges.

Recruit Hsu is currently in phase two of his training and remains eager to face the challenges that it will take to earn the title of United States Marine.