TRAVERSE CITY, Mich -- Traverse City native, Pfc. Anne E. Lyman, graduated recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, on Oct. 14. She was the company honor graduate and achieved the highest physical fitness and combat fitness scores in her company.
“My brother joined the Marine Corps five years ago,” said Lyman. “After attending his graduation at San Diego and seeing what the training consisted of… I wanted to be part of something greater than myself.”
Lyman was a star athlete at St. Francis High School where she attended. She excelled at both soccer and basketball.
“I was a team captain when I played sports in high school. I saw what I wanted to be as a leader, and I felt that earning the title of Marine was the best way to get where I want to be: a leader others will follow.”
Involved in missionary trips to Africa and Haiti, Lyman understands what it’s like to take care of others before herself. In recruit training, Lyman was selected to be the platoon guide. That entailed being responsible and held accountable for every recruit in her platoon.
“Being the last to eat and sleep, you need to make sure everyone you are responsible for is taken care of,” said Lyman. “During physical training sessions, you have to be the one who stands out in a positive light being that leader who motivates those to your left and right to keep pushing through even when training gets tough.”
Eager to see how her career will unfold, Lyman is keeping an open mind and ready to tackle the next portion of her Marine Corps journey.
“I look at the person I was before I joined and where I am now, I have a higher standard set for myself and am optimistic to see what the future will hold.”
Lyman was recruited by Staff Sgt. Kurt L. Wiborn, Station Commander for Recruiting Substation Cadillac, Recruiting Station Lansing.
Lyman is expected to report to Marine Combat Training next month in North Carolina, followed by her military occupational specialty school for Logistics.