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WARREN, Mass.— The alarm clock rings as he squints open his eyes. It’s 3:30 a.m., and it’s time to train. This is a typical weekday morning for James Zalatores, a small-town American who is preparing to become a U.S. Marine.
“I’m looking for a challenge and have two lifetime goals,” said Zalatores. “I want to become a Marine, and I want to protect this country.”
He grew up in Warren and has lived there his entire life at 23 years old. His twin brother and his family back his decision to join the Marines.
“We’re a very close knit family and we’re always there to support each other,” said Joe Zalatores, James’s twin brother. “I think it’s honorable he is joining the Marines.”
According to Zalatores, challenges he faced as a starting football quarterback at Quaboag Regional High School made him a better leader. As one of the first players of the school’s new football program, he had to lead inexperienced players and fight against dispiritedness.
“It was all about building camaraderie,” said Zalatores. “I had to get my guys fired up to play as a team.”
Zalatores has been through tough times; the loss of close friends and family , as well as physical injuries including tearing his ACL. He sees bad situations as fuel to better himself.
“You have to not give into some terrible situations that you might be pushed into,” said Zalatores. “You have to strive to be better all the time every day.”
Zalatores now coaches football at Quaboag Regional High School and is also a fitness trainer at D & D Fitness Factory. He hopes to develop more leadership and coaching skills in the Marine Corps.
“I want to earn my spot, experience everything and get my feet wet.” Zalatores said of his future Marine Corps career. “I think I can also bring my leadership skills into bootcamp to help other recruits.”
Zalatores did not come from a military family. His experience of the Marine Corps came mostly from his friends who are Marines.
“The reputation of the Marine Corps precedes itself,” Zalatores said. “It’s like no other branch. The discipline, honor, courage and commitment stand out to me.”
Zalatores has been working with Marine Corps recruiter, Staff Sgt. Brett Wehr, who has helped add some new routines onto his training schedule.
“Staff Sgt. Wehr has put me on some running programs and a pull-up program to help me with cardio because I’m more of a powerlifter,” Zalatores said. “I’m challenging myself and the team with a lot of sprinting and distance running to improve our endurance on the field.”
Zalatores wants to live the Marine Corps lifestyle and hopes to spend at least 20 years in the organization.
“Marines are elite and they’re the best,” said Zalatores. “That’s who I want to see when I look into a mirror- the best.”
Zalatores is scheduled to attend bootcamp next year. For more information about becoming a U.S. Marine, visit marines.com.
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2018 15:25 |
| Story ID: | 300319 |
| Location: | WARREN, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 211 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Why the Marines: James Zalatores, by SSgt Connor Hancock, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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