MCRD San Diego -- The path of least resistance always appears to be the easiest way to achieve your goals. For Pfc. Jonathon Townsend, Platoon 1049, Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, his determination and attitude drove him to defy what others would assume about his future and accepted the challenge of earning the title Marine.
“I wasn’t on a set path in life,” said Townsend, 19. “I didn’t want to fall down the wrong path either; I’ve always been one to shatter stereotypes and overcome difficult obstacles.”
The Aurora, Colo. native worked in the food court of the University of Northern Colorado while he attended the university for a degree in criminal justice in August 2011. After one semester, Townsend felt that it wasn’t really for him and later quit his job.
“I ended up spending all my money on unnecessary things,” explained Townsend. “Not going to school made me feel like I failed myself.”
He moved on, living a nomadic life, sleeping couch to couch. As independent as he was, Townsend still felt that he depended on others to get by.
“I sought self-reliance,” said Townsend. “I was very independent, but I still relied on other people to live.”
Gaining an intuitive grasp of reality, Townsend knew that he had some growing up to do. He saw the personal changes in his friends that enlisted in the Marine Corps and wanted that for himself.
“I wanted to be challenged like they were; I wanted to take that difficult path and better myself overall, not just physically but mentally,” said Townsend.
March 2011, Townsend swore in to the United States Marine Corps and shipped off to recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego May 7.
Once aboard the depot, Townsend had difficulty adjusting to the atmosphere of recruit training. Unlike most recruits, who have a hard time dealing with the culture shock, Townsend had an attitude about training.
“I was very stubborn,” explained Townsend. “It was hard to take it seriously sometimes.”
Townsend held the billet of squad leader, one of five positions for recruits who show leadership traits. Although he held this billet, his attitude made it difficult for him to lead and he was soon fired.
“I can tell he wanted it; he wanted to be a Marine and he wanted to be a leader,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Blas, senior drill instructor, Plt. 1049. “But he was very immature about training and I made sure he knew why he was getting fired.”
Townsend soon found himself back to square one. His senior drill instructor explained to his recruits that they don’t want to leave recruit training the same person they were when they came here.
“I kind of took what he said to heart because he knew that I wanted to change and that I didn’t want to go back into that downward spiral,” said Townsend.
With his senior drill instructor pushing him toward success, Townsend turned his attitude around and learned what it meant to lead by example.
Blas, an Oak Harbor, Wash. native, explained that in the platoon’s second phase of training, Townsend was re-hired to squad leader, began to realize his purpose and stepped up his game.
“It started clicking for him, he already knew how to survive on his own and I had to make him stop thinking about himself and start thinking about the platoon,” said Blas, 28.
Townsend soon began taking charge and helping others in the platoon. He learned how to communicate with others and would go out of his way to help and correct his fellow recruits, all the while leading by example.
“It was a complete transition; he grew up a lot,” said Pvt. Will Rodgers, Plt. 1049. “From the way he carries himself to the way he spoke to us, we all look up to him.”
Townsend’s overall attitude change allowed him to complete recruit training and walk away with more than his earned Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
“Things in life aren’t handed to you, if you want it, you have to work for it,” said Townsend. “You always have to push yourself to improve and be better than you were the day before.”
With his new found self-reliance, confidence and title Marine, Townsend moves on with his military career to Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.