Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- “Just keep going,” said Recruit Sean C. Kennedy, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. “Remember why you’re here. You’re here for the brothers around you, and you have to keep fighting no matter what it takes.” Kennedy, who is graduating as a lance corporal, accepted the responsibilities of being platoon 3261’s guide, and has led them since phase one of training.
The Mike Company Marine came to recruit training from Folsom, Calif., where he was involved in a lot of sports.
“I cared more about sports than I did about school,” he said. “I didn’t have a high school graduation because I was at a track meet.”
Kennedy kept in peak physical condition playing in five sports while in high school. Although fitness was a priority to Kennedy, he wished he had been more physically fit before leaving for recruit training.
“I wish I could have been in a little bit better shape before coming here. I could have better led from the front,” he said. “I definitely improved as we went on.”
The guide of a platoon is one who answers for others mishaps, often times in the form of pushups, sit ups or other physical activity. The extra physical training that came as disciplinary correction increased his physical capabilities dramatically.
“It’s a lot harder to lead from the front than most people think,” said Kennedy. “You have to be stronger and faster. You have to set the example, and you need to be perfect with everything you do. You have to show the other recruits that you can do it, and if you can do it why can’t they?”
The new Marine constantly strove to be the best and did it for the things he said motivated him the most. He did it for the recruits he had to lead and for his senior drill instructor.
“Senior Drill Instructor Sgt. Wilson is the most knowledgeable person I know.” said Kennedy. “It is his final cycle, and I wanted to make sure his last platoon did the best for him.”
Platoon 3261 won six out of the eight trophies that platoons compete for throughout recruit training, and Kennedy led his platoon through it all.
He believed his toughest time at recruit training was the first day of the Crucible, but the thought of earning the title and seeing his loved ones kept him motivated.
“I keep a picture of my fiancé in my right breast pocket,” said Kennedy. “I have it with me everywhere.”
She and many of his family members will be attending graduation, which he said makes up for the high school graduation he did not attend.
Following recruit training, Kennedy will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupation specialty school to become a linguist specialist. Mike Company is scheduled to graduate Aug. 12.