Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. -- When recruits arrive at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and take their place on the yellow footprints, they commence the journey to becoming a United States Marine. For three months, drill instructors mold, encourage and motivate recruits. But sometimes it’s their experiences prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps that inspire and drive them through the rigorous training.
Pfc. Alberto Hernandez, Platoon 3269, Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, made a challenging decision halfway through his senior year of high school.
“I moved out when I was 17 years old,” said Hernandez, a Merced, Calif., native. “I worked on a horse ranch while I finished my last semester at home.”
Hernandez lived on the ranch working six days a week cleaning stables, shoveling manure, feeding animals and fixing fences. He was home-schooled until he received his high school diploma. Even though he dreamt of becoming a Marine, he didn’t head to the recruiter’s office right away.
“I didn’t feel prepared or mature enough to join when I was younger,” said Hernandez. “I felt that I could offer more to the Marine Corps if I came in with some life experience and skills. I wanted to be a man before enlisting in the Marines.”
Although he didn't know it at the time, working as a ranch-hand taught Hernandez some valuable life lessons that would help him later on in his journey to becoming a Marine.
“Work is work; you have to do whatever it takes to make it,” said Hernandez. “It wasn’t an easy line of work but it taught me a lot and it was very character-building. It got me used to waking up early and getting things done quickly. It’s similar to recruit training; you have to have initiative, be disciplined, move with speed and intensity and get the job done.”
While his experience on the ranch taught him the work ethic that would one day earn him the billet of squad leader in recruit training, it was a different life-changing experience that propelled his desire to serve his country.
“I went to Haiti on a missions trip with a church after the earthquake in 2010,” said Hernandez. "Things were so different in Haiti. At that time it was normal to see bodies on the ground along the street. They really didn’t have much. We did a lot of work, built two houses and worked in an orphanage. It makes you feel good to know that you helped somebody even if it was just in a simple or small way. To lay down your needs and comfort to help others who don’t have as much as we do in America gives you a sense of selfless accomplishment.”
During the mission trip, his desire to serve and help others was awakened and his passion for the Marine Corps was re-affirmed.
“I chose the Marines because they are the best and I wanted to serve my country, protect my family and see the world,” said Hernandez. “I also joined because the Marine Corps not only serves and protects our country, they also help out other countries through humanitarian efforts.”
As the 21-year-old spoke humbly about his past experiences, it became clear that his drive and life lessons helped him get to where he is today.
As a result of his hard work and dedication throughout recruit training, Hernandez was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. He motivated his peers through his initiative, drive and determination, according to Staff Sgt. Anthony Rodriguez, drill instructor, Plt. 3269, Co. M, 3rd RTBn.
“Since day one you could see that he cares and always gives 110-percent to everything he does, from the littlest to the biggest tasks,” said Rodriguez. “He’s already exceeding his peers and I believe he’s going to continue to do so when he gets to the operating forces. You can see the hunger in Hernandez’s demeanor, in everything he does you can see he’s hungry for more knowledge, more leadership and higher billets. He has the potential to be phenomenal.”