New Marine endures six months of training to earn the title

Photo By Sgt. Angelica Annastas | Lance Cpl. Braden C. Tyree, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 11. Tyree spent an extra three months on the depot while waiting for an injury to heal. Following recruit training, Tyree will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school to become a communications specialist. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. India Company is scheduled to graduate July 15.  

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

07.11.2016

Story by Cpl. Angelica Annastas 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

When recruits step aboard the depot, they have to learn to take care of their bodies and try to prevent themselves from injuries.
Although he didn’t plan on sustaining an injury, Lance Cpl. Braden C. Tyree, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, had to wait an extra three months before earning the title of United States Marine.
Tyree grew up in Borger, Texas, where there wasn’t much to do for fun.
“I hung out with my girlfriend and with friends,” said Tyree. “I managed to stay out of trouble, but spending time with them meant being away from my family. My parents split up when I was younger, but my younger brother and I were close to both of our parents. It just didn’t work out between them. From that point on I was going back and forth, from one parent to the other.”
Tyree entered high school and attended a public school for his freshman year, which is when he started to stay with his mom. At the start of his sophomore year, Tyree was homeschooled for the rest of his high school career.
“After high school, I attended a bible college and completed a couple of semesters before joining,” said Tyree.
During his college time, Tyree realized that he wanted something different, and he wanted more discipline in his life.
Tyree started to become interested in joining the Marine Corps, and he thought it would help him become more independent. After asking his mom to join him in going to meet a recruiter, his mind was set to become a Marine.
On Jan. 19, Tyree took a plane from his small town in Texas to the city of San Diego. He was initially attached to Mike Company, but ran into a problem.
“During one of our regular [physical training] sessions I accidentally injured myself,” said Tyree. “I told my senior drill instructor about the pain I was feeling in my right leg, and then he sent me to medical the next day. After getting an x-ray, I found out that I had a tibial stress fracture.”
Tyree was told that it would take 2-3 months to heal and recover, so he was placed in a medical rehabilitation platoon.
“At first, I wanted them to just send me home because I didn’t want to wait so long before getting back into training,” said Tyree. “I was eventually able to adapt though. It came down to two weeks left, and that’s when I found out that I’d be a part of India Company.”
He was excited to learn he’d be rejoining his initial battalion, even if it was a different company.
“I was actually really excited to join India Company,” said Tyree. “I remember seeing and hearing them march around, and it was so motivating. I prayed to be a part of them, and it actually ended up happening.”
Tyree was chosen to be the guide of his platoon when he first got back into training.
“When I showed up I just put my things on the guide’s rack, which pretty much paved the way for me from that point on,” said Tyree. “I remember my senior drill instructor telling me, ‘If you take care of me, I’ll take care of you.’”
Being in a leadership position wasn’t the easiest task for Tyree to take on.
“It got a little frustrating at times,” said Tyree. “It was difficult trying to get some of the other recruits to adapt, so I tried to be the best example for them. I liked being able to see a lot of them change for the better as the weeks went on.”
Finally earning his Eagle, Globe and Anchor was a long overdue check in the box for Tyree.
“It took a second to hit me,” said Tyree. “There was this giant blur of emotions, and after six long months, I was finally done.”
Tyree was also chosen to be the company honorman, the top graduation position, which is how he earned the rank of lance corporal.
Following recruit training, Tyree will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school to become a communications specialist.

• Date Taken: 07.11.2016
• Date Posted: 07.13.2016 18:24
• Story ID: 203891
• Location: MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, CA, US