San Diego -- In 2010, Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fought and successfully repelled the Taliban at the Sangin District, Afghanistan. During the operation, Sgt. Joel T. Bailey’s unit was taking cover in a building when they were hit by an Improvised Explosive Device. Fellow Marine Sgt. Jason D. Peto attempted to help fallen comrades only to trigger an IED himself, leaving him mortally wounded.
Bailey, drill instructor, Platoon 3227, Company K, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, became a drill instructor to try and forge recruits in the mold of his lost friend.
“It was really difficult (Peto’s death) and he is one of the reasons I decided to become a drill instructor,” said Bailey, a Camarrillo Calif., native. “I want to teach recruits brotherhood, camaraderie.”
Bailey uses every bit of his knowledge and experience to complete his mission of making Marines and preparing them for the demands of the Marine Corps.
“He knows that in the near future he will have to rely on one of these recruits, so, he ensures that they get the best training they can possibly have,” said Staff Sgt. Otis V. Gordon, senior drill instructor, Plt. 3227, Co. K, 3rd RTBn. “Sgt. Bailey handles every task above and beyond accomplishing any mission and takes pride in his work.”
During his 2010 deployment, Bailey was fortunate to come out alive but his close friend of eight years was not so lucky. They had been close ever since day one in the Marine Corps and the friendship grew from there.
“Sgt. Jason Peto was a good friend of mine. I went through recruit training with him. We were assigned to the same unit (3/7) and later we transferred to another unit together (3/5),” said Bailey. “He was there when I proposed to my wife and was there at my wedding.”
Peto was a big part of Bailey’s life, however, passed away at the age of 31 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on December 8, 2010. His death was devastating but also inspirational to Bailey.
“It was difficult at first, it still is difficult. He is the reason why I’m here (as a drill instructor),” said 27 year old Bailey. “It’s my drive and why I came here to make Marines, to honor him.”
A drill instructor’s job is to develop young men and women as basically trained Marines. Drill instructors sacrifice time with their families and spend the majority of a three month cycle with recruits. To some, it’s a way to contribute.
“I want to give back to the Marine Corps and I want to train recruits to win battles,” said Bailey. “I became a drill instructor to make the best warrior that I can, so that when situations arise in combat these recruits will know how to react, how to render first aid.”
Although he lost a friend, Bailey frequently remembers Peto.
“I constantly speak to his family and on the anniversary of his death, I go to his grave and has a toast in his name,” said Bailey.
However, a small tribute Bailey performs on a daily basis is to make sure Peto’s skills and legacy continue to be a part of the Marine Corps, by training and making Marines that resemble his old friend.
According to Bailey, “I’m here to make Marines like Sergeant Peto and everything I teach recruits is in some form something I learned from him."