While many Marine Corps recruits find opportunities for personal growth during recruit training, one recruit started down that path by adopting a healthy lifestyle and furthering his education before he even left for training.
Marine Corps Pfc. Juan Valenzuela, a native of Tracy, California, wanted to change his life for the better, and he pursued certain goals that would get him to where he wanted to be.
After living in the small town of Tracy for four years, Valenzuela and his family moved north to Stockton in 2001. He grew up as the middle sibling between four older sisters and two younger brothers, and fondly remembers home being a family-oriented place.
“I had a big family and a big household,” he said. “I guess you could say that my family life was pretty good for me.”
When Valenzuela began high school, it wasn’t that much of a change for him. He said he had a lot of friends and school was easy for him.
“I had good grades,” Valenzuela said. “I didn’t struggle at all in school; I even participated in [the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps].”
The program prepares high school students for leadership and good citizenship. Valenzuela saw JROTC as an opportunity to better himself and he took advantage of it.
During his junior year of high school, he realized he wanted to join the Marine Corps.
“It was just something I wanted to try,” Valenzuela said. “I learned about it, and I wanted to join.”
A Chance Meeting
While walking through the mall one day, he met a Marine Corps recruiter, and that moment changed his life.
Yet, there was one thing that held Valenzuela back from heading to recruit training -- his weight.
Valenzuela dedicated himself not only to losing 50 pounds, but to furthering his education as well.
He began attending San Joaquin Delta College, and when he was physically ready for training, he left for the recruit depot.
“Before joining I managed to get my basic business associates degree,” Valenzuela said.
Recruit life was tough for Valenzuela, and his senior drill instructor noticed.
“I noticed it was a little hard for him during the individual runs,” said Marine Corps Sgt. Bernard Gooden, the senior drill instructor for Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. “I remember he fell out during one of the runs with a temperature of 103 degrees.”
Valenzuela pushed himself throughout recruit training, and he kept improving as the weeks went on. He said the progress he saw kept him motivated.
“He went from the slowest runner to running in the middle of groups,” Gooden said. “The week before the Crucible he fell out of [the physical fitness test], so I kept my eye on him and I saw that he kept putting out.”
He noticed his physical strength improved along with his mental endurance. Arriving at the depot, Valenzuela could only complete eight pull-ups, but by the end of training he could complete 19. Through all the hardships and setbacks, Valenzuela made it through the Crucible and graduated with Fox Company Oct. 9, after 13 weeks of training.
“He did well,” Gooden said. “He had a good work ethic.”
Next, Valenzuela will attend Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton for further training before starting school for his military occupational specialty of motor transportation operator.
Valenzuela said he takes pride in the changes he has made in himself with the help of the Corps, and he wants to continue to set goals to accomplish in his future as a member of the Marine Corps Reserve. He said he intends to return to school in California to study medical and business administration.