Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Viktoriia Fedosova, the Company Honor Graduate with India Co., 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and her son, Victor sit together on a bench in Sevierville, Tennessee, Feb. 15, 2023. The Marine Corps seeks to find and attract the Marine of tomorrow – a smarter, lifelong learner who meets our tough physical standards and understands that while we modernize equipment and tactics, our success depends on their ability to adapt to emergent threats in austere environments. Through her hard work, Fedosova proved that she has what it takes to be a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Skyler Harris) - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Viktoriia Fedosova, the Company Honor Graduate with India Co., 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and her son, Victor sit together on a bench in Sevierville, Tennessee, Feb. 15, 2023. The Marine Corps seeks to find and attract the Marine of tomorrow – a smarter, lifelong learner who meets our tough physical standards and understands that while we modernize equipment and tactics, our success depends on their ability to adapt to emergent threats in austere environments. Through her hard work, Fedosova proved that she has what it takes to be a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Skyler Harris)

Sevierville native earns honor graduate at MCRD Parris Island

In the heart of Tennessee, amidst the rolling hills and vibrant communities, lies a story of courage, perseverance, and the unwavering human spirit. U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Viktoriia Fedosova, a native of Kherson, Ukraine, embarked on a life-altering journey that took her from the quaint landscapes of Sevierville, TN, to becoming India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion’s honor graduate at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, Feb. 9, 2024.

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U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Dakota Certain, left, a Marine with the command recruiting program at Recruiting Substation (RSS) Murfreesboro, Recruiting Station Nashville, speaks to Staff Sgt. Nathan Haaland, right, a recruiter with RSS Murfreesboro, at Coffee County Central High School, Manchester, Tennessee, Oct. 19, 2023. This program offers new Marines the opportunity to return to their recruiting station in support of recruiting efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Pacheco) - U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Dakota Certain, left, a Marine with the command recruiting program at Recruiting Substation (RSS) Murfreesboro, Recruiting Station Nashville, speaks to Staff Sgt. Nathan Haaland, right, a recruiter with RSS Murfreesboro, at Coffee County Central High School, Manchester, Tennessee, Oct. 19, 2023. This program offers new Marines the opportunity to return to their recruiting station in support of recruiting efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Pacheco)

Not 'I, We' | Dakota Certain

As a high school senior, thinking of his post-high school plans and career options, Pvt. Dakota Certain couldn’t make up his mind. He was overwhelmed with all the possibilities, and wanted to ensure he made the “right” choice for his future. The indecision gnawed at him, and he didn’t know how he’d ever make a choice with graduation looming on the horizon.

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U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Jarrod Eggleston, a Marine under the command recruiting program at Recruiting Substation Murfreesboro, Recruiting Station Nashville, pays a visit to his former high school at Coffee County Central High School, Manchester, Tennessee, Oct. 19, 2023. This program offers new Marines the opportunity to return to their recruiting station in support of recruiting efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Pacheco) - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Jarrod Eggleston, a Marine under the command recruiting program at Recruiting Substation Murfreesboro, Recruiting Station Nashville, pays a visit to his former high school at Coffee County Central High School, Manchester, Tennessee, Oct. 19, 2023. This program offers new Marines the opportunity to return to their recruiting station in support of recruiting efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Pacheco)

The Bonds That Form

“Nothing good comes out of anything easy,” the Marine stated, the conviction strong in his voice. This motto was his driving force through the 13 weeks of the blood, sweat and tears he had shed during Marine Corps recruit training.

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U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Eric Suminski, a recruiter assistant under the Command Recruiting Program with Recruiting Substation Murfreesboro, Recruiting Station (RS) Nashville, represents his RS in Nashville, Tennessee, August 7, 2023. This program offers new Marines the opportunity to return to their recruiting station in support of recruiting efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Pacheco) - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Eric Suminski, a recruiter assistant under the Command Recruiting Program with Recruiting Substation Murfreesboro, Recruiting Station (RS) Nashville, represents his RS in Nashville, Tennessee, August 7, 2023. This program offers new Marines the opportunity to return to their recruiting station in support of recruiting efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Pacheco)

It's Never Too Late

For most Marines, their decision to enlist is one made in high school, or was a dream they have had since childhood. The majority of recruits in recruit training are fresh-faced teenagers, ready to embark on what is their first “real life” experience. However, for Pfc. Eric Suminski, he had almost a decade of post-high school life experience under his belt before joining the Marine Corps at the age of 27.

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U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Daniela Portillo, a recruiter assistant under the Command Recruiting Program with Recruiting Substation Murfreesboro, Recruiting Station (RS) Nashville, represents her RS in Nashville, Tennessee, August 7, 2023. This program offers new Marines the opportunity to return to their recruiting station in support of recruiting efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Pacheco) - U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Daniela Portillo, a recruiter assistant under the Command Recruiting Program with Recruiting Substation Murfreesboro, Recruiting Station (RS) Nashville, represents her RS in Nashville, Tennessee, August 7, 2023. This program offers new Marines the opportunity to return to their recruiting station in support of recruiting efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Pacheco)

The Pride of Belonging

When U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Daniela Portillo first sat down with her Marine recruiter, he placed 11 engraved tags on the desk in front of her. These tags, known as “benefit tags”, present tangible and intangible benefits to help identify the motivations of potential Marines. Portillo took a moment to survey her options, then pointed to the “Pride of Belonging”.

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