New Marine becomes 7th in family

Photo By Lance Cpl. Maximiliano Bavastro | Rct. Sebastian M. Haag, Platoon 3077, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, strikes his opponent with a pugil stick Sept. 22, 2016, on Parris Island, S.C. Haag, 18, from Montgomery, N.J., graduated Sept. 30, 2016. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 19,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for approximately 49 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Pfc. Maximiliano Bavastro)  

PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

09.22.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Maximiliano Bavastro 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island           

Sebastian Haag grew up surrounded by Marines. In a time when very few Americans have any familial tie to the military, Haag’s family had six Marines - “had” being the operative word because when Haag walked across Parris Island’s main parade deck Sept. 30, 2016, he became the seventh in his family to earn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

“Seeing the way my father carried himself professionally, I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Sebastian said.

With that decision made, Sebastian set about getting in shape with the help of his father.

“I had him reduce his caloric intake and increase his cardio,” said Eric Haag, Sebastian’s father. “We also went to the gym five days a week.”

When Sebastian’s father read Sebastian’s letters from recruit training, he noticed that his son would misspell simple words. He said he knew Sebastian was feeling the pressure.

“To me, being a United States Marine is the highest honor,” said Eric. “Many will see a statement like that - who are still in or just got out - and will say ‘yeah right.’ But as time passes, what made you want to become a Marine in the first place overshadows the reasons why you wanted to get out. It’s in those moments where you realize that you've seen the best that a man or woman can be the best that he or she has to offer. Sacrifices made not just for the greater good but for each other and leadership that we mold ourselves after. At the end of the day, you can lay your head down and smile because you know that you are a United States Marine.”

After 54 hours of recruit training’s final event, the Crucible, Sebastian earned the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem and the title United States Marine, and he solidified his place in his family’s history.

“[Earning the Eagle, Globe and Anchor] was one of the most proud moments of my life,” said Sebastian. “I couldn’t stop thinking about my family and how they’re going to react.”
Sebastian completed his goal and graduated Sept. 30, 2016.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2016
• Date Posted: 12.02.2016 09:58
• Story ID: 216225
• Location: PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, US
• Hometown: MONTGOMERY, NEW JERSEY, US