By Shannon Perez
Staff Writer
The Marine Corps’ motto, “semper fidelis,” meaning “always faithful,” is soon to be the life slogan of Mira Costa senior Americo Sam. The first Marine recruit from Mira Costa in over 20 years, Sam is realizing his lifelong dream of becoming a United States Marine.
Sam’s interest in joining the Marines largely stems from the influences of his uncle and cousin, who are enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Inspired by his family members, Sam says that he has always had a desire to live an organized and structured lifestyle in a challenging and ambitious environment.
“I can’t wait to work with my fellow recruits to better ourselves physically as well as mentally,” Sam said. “It is going to be challenging, but it is definitely something that I am very proud to say I am a part of.”
Sam began the entry process into the Marines in January when he was recruited by Sergeant Julio Lopez after going through a series of several interviews. After a series of interviews, Sam enlisted in the Military Entrance Processing Station where he took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test in order to help choose the military job best suited for his personality. While still in MEPS, Sam took his physical exam and was sworn into the Corps.
“Sam is very hard working and an ambitious natural leader,” Lopez said. “He is not afraid of failure, and he is not afraid of a challenge, which sets him apart from everyone else.”
Sam will start boot camp in December at Camp Pendleton in the San Diego County, the major west coast base of the Marine Corps. Boot camp consists of 13 weeks of intensive physical and marksmanship training. At the end of the 13 weeks, recruits must pass a written and physical exam to officially enter the Marines.
“This whole process has gone by very fast,” Sam said. “I’m both excited and nervous for my future training in December, but right now I am trying to focus on how I can get prepared.”
To ensure that all recruits are prepared and physically fit before they enter boot camp, recruiting officers in the South Bay area hold weekly training sessions for their recruits. Sam accompanies roughly 30 other future Marines every Thursday for physical fitness training where they perform a variety of physical activities.
Together, the young Marines study the history of the Marines and learn to embody the Marine core values: honor, courage and commitment, all of which they will be tested on at boot camp.
“The training gives us all a small insight to what the boot camp will actually be like when we begin training,” Sam said. “It is really nice to be surrounded by people who have the same focus and passion for the Marines that I have.”
One of Sam’s goals he wants to accomplish while at boot camp is to be recognized as an honorary recruit, which is a Marine who passes boot camp exit exams with high marks and who is seen to portray good leadership qualities throughout camp.
“I always could see that Americo was a right fit for the Marines,” senior Sebastian Franck-Love said. “There have been countless times where he has helped me in situations that I couldn’t handle myself in, so I have zero doubts that he will have major success in the United States Marines.”
After Boot Camp, Sam will have a 10-day break period before he gets stationed at a base. Then, Sam will undergo more specific training based on what job he will have in the Marines.
“I was fortunate enough to qualify for all of the military occupational specialist options presented toward me, and as of now I am learning toward the intelligence specialist operative.”
Sam says that his long-term goal is to earn his bachelor’s degree in nursing and become an officer in the Marines. He also hopes that, in his future, he can go to school to study physical rehabilitation. Sam intends to incorporate that knowledge into aiding fellow soldiers wounded in combat.
“When it comes your time to be a leader in the Marines, you take care of your men,” Lopez said. “Sam is always seeking to improve himself, and I have confidence that he will achieve his goals.”
Leave a Reply