Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Hirokazu Watanabe, a Marine with Kilo Company, School of Infantry-West, poses for a portrait at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 16, 2024. Watanabe, a 20-year-old from Nagoya, Japan who was recruited from Fairbanks, Alaska, became a naturalized citizen with Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Aug. 16, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesse Carter-Powell) - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Hirokazu Watanabe, a Marine with Kilo Company, School of Infantry-West, poses for a portrait at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 16, 2024. Watanabe, a 20-year-old from Nagoya, Japan who was recruited from Fairbanks, Alaska, became a naturalized citizen with Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Aug. 16, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesse Carter-Powell)

Pfc. Hirokazu Watanabe: From Nagoya to the Marine Corps

Becoming a United States Marine can often involve a challenging path, but for one Marine in particular, his journey included a unique set of obstacles and motivation from various sources.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Hunter A. Dalecke-Sabandith, special reaction team entryman with the Provost Marshal's Office, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, speed reloads a M18 military service pistol at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 9, 2024. The members of SRT are military police officers with advanced training responsible for responding to emergencies such as active shooter and hostage situations. During the range SRT completed their monthly qualification with the M18 service pistol. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Janell B. Alvarez) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Hunter A. Dalecke-Sabandith, special reaction team entryman with the Provost Marshal's Office, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, speed reloads a M18 military service pistol at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 9, 2024. The members of SRT are military police officers with advanced training responsible for responding to emergencies such as active shooter and hostage situations. During the range SRT completed their monthly qualification with the M18 service pistol. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Janell B. Alvarez)

In the Shadows: A Marine’s Journey as a Special Reaction Team member at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California

Newly promoted Lance Cpl. Hunter Anoucie Dalecke-Sabandith, recently earned a meritorious promotion through his dedication and hard work. Col. Jason Freeby, commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, meritoriously promoted Dalecke-Sabandity from private first class to lance corporal on Sept. 2, 2024. Dalecke-Sabandity is a 22-year-old military police officer from Holland, Michigan and an entryman and member of the Special Reaction Team at the Depot.

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Staff members with the House Armed Services Committee Staff Delegation, sit in a brief at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, Aug. 13, 2024. HASC, STAFFDEL traveled to MCRD to advance an understanding and observe gender integration in entry-level training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob B. Hutchinson) - Staff members with the House Armed Services Committee Staff Delegation, sit in a brief at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, Aug. 13, 2024. HASC, STAFFDEL traveled to MCRD to advance an understanding and observe gender integration in entry-level training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob B. Hutchinson)

Congressional Staff Delegates Visit the Depot

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego hosted a visit from members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee Staff Delegation to provide a comprehensive overview of recruit training, including the progress of gender integration, the Western Recruiting Region’s recruitment processes, and quality of life conditions at MCRD San Diego, California, Aug. 16, 2024.

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U.S. Marine Corps officers with the Marine Corps Recruiting Command are recognized for their outstanding performance and efforts during the Western Recruiting Region recruiting offensive, Operation Overlord, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, Aug. 1, 2024. Operation Overlord was a summer recruiting offensive held to foster competition amongst the recruiting force and increase productivity, while creating a contracting momentum for fiscal year 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah M. Grawcock) - U.S. Marine Corps officers with the Marine Corps Recruiting Command are recognized for their outstanding performance and efforts during the Western Recruiting Region recruiting offensive, Operation Overlord, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, Aug. 1, 2024. Operation Overlord was a summer recruiting offensive held to foster competition amongst the recruiting force and increase productivity, while creating a contracting momentum for fiscal year 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah M. Grawcock)

Leaders of Recruiting Recognize Outstanding Performers

U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. James A. Ryans II, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, gathered with nine Marine Corps officer selection officers serving on recruiting duty in the WRR to recognize them for outstanding accomplishments at MCRD San Diego, Calif., Aug. 1, 2024.

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U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Carlos Paz-Sosa, a Marine with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, July 1, 2024. Paz-Sosa was highlighted due to his impressive transformation, losing more than 100 lbs. in order to become a Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elliott A. Flood-Johnson) - U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Carlos Paz-Sosa, a Marine with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, July 1, 2024. Paz-Sosa was highlighted due to his impressive transformation, losing more than 100 lbs. in order to become a Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elliott A. Flood-Johnson)

Recruit Defies Odds to Follow Dream of Becoming Marine

U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Carlos Paz-Sosa, who was recruited out of Recruiting Station Riverside, wasn’t always the most physically fit growing up; he struggled with his weight throughout his childhood. During his senior year of high school, he decided he wanted to embark on the journey of becoming a Marine. However, this would prove to be no easy task. If he wanted to have the privilege of going to recruit training, he’d have to lose more than 100 lbs.

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U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen William E. Souza III, commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, left, and Brig. Gen. James A. Ryans II, commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Western Recruiting Region, right, pose for a picture with Pfc. Junyoung Kim, left center and his family after a graduation ceremony for Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, June 28, 2024. Kim is a native of South Korea and was one of seven Marines with Echo Company who became U.S. citizens. Kim was recruited from Granada Hills, California. Graduation took place at the completion of the 13-week transformation, which included training for drill, marksmanship, basic combat skills, and Marine Corps customs and traditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexandra M. Earl) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen William E. Souza III, commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, left, and Brig. Gen. James A. Ryans II, commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Western Recruiting Region, right, pose for a picture with Pfc. Junyoung Kim, left center and his family after a graduation ceremony for Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, June 28, 2024. Kim is a native of South Korea and was one of seven Marines with Echo Company who became U.S. citizens. Kim was recruited from Granada Hills, California. Graduation took place at the completion of the 13-week transformation, which included training for drill, marksmanship, basic combat skills, and Marine Corps customs and traditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexandra M. Earl)

America’s Newest Citizens Earn the Title Marine

For some of the new Marines of Echo Company, the road to joining the Marine Corps was a long one. Pfc. Jonas Hernandez, 34-year-old native of Mexico recruited from Recruiting Sub Station Thousand Oaks, Calif., spent 17 years dreaming of one day becoming a United States Marine.

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