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Kennesaw, GA - The Ebokah family stepped out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, setting foot in the United States for the first time. It was a completely new place for them, their breath visible in the cold December air. It was something they had never experienced growing up in Nigeria.
“We decided to come to America because we wanted a change of life,” said Patrick Ebokah, the father.
That change of life eventually brought the siblings to the U.S. Marine Corps.
Victor, Emmanuel, and Emmanuella Ebokah grew up in Delta State, Nigeria, where poverty and hardship were common.
“Nigerians are a very angry people, but we are also very loving people,” said Usinefe Ebokah, their mother.
They were taught the values of discipline and respect from their parents.
“As kids, we were close, but when we became teenagers, we went to different boarding schools and started to drift apart,” said Emmanuella.
The Ebokahs emigrated to the United States in December of 2024.
“I remember coming out of the airport and the air feeling lighter,” said Victor. “We were in a completely different place.”
They experienced new people, places and sights — everything drastically different from Nigeria.
They first heard about the U.S. military from their uncle and got in contact with Staff Sgt. Gabriella Phillip, the local Marine recruiter. Victor and Emmanuel went with their mother to speak with Staff Sgt. Phillip about opportunities in the Marines.
“We went with the intention of just getting information, but as we talked with Staff Sgt. Phillip, we knew this was what they needed to do,” said Usinefe.
When they came home, Usinefe spoke to Emmanuella about what they had learned, and Emanuella knew she wanted to join the Marines as well.
“I knew that the Marines were the hardest branch,” said Emmanuella. “I wanted to prove that girls can do something hard.”
Together, the three siblings departed for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on May 13, 2025. They were placed in Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. The brothers were put into Platoon 3058, while Emmanuella was placed in the all-female Platoon, 3057.
“The first weeks were rough,” said Emmanuel.
They experienced the challenge of recruit training, learning what it takes to become Marines. The brothers were able to experience it together, often supporting and motivating each other. During the nights, when they had time, they would talk about their lives and what was happening back home. They trained, worked and prayed together. The rigors of recruit training brought them closer together.
“Seeing him across from me doing the same exercises I was doing helped a lot,” said Victor. “If I was doing something, he was doing it, and if he was doing it, our sister was doing it as well.”
Emmanuella quickly learned the rigors of recruit training in her own platoon. While she was not in the same platoon as her brothers, they were a constant motivator for her. She saw them during various points in training.
“I would see them and think, they look okay, so I’m okay too.”
Near the end of Phase Two of training, Emmanuella was promoted to squad leader. She quickly learned how to lead and manage other recruits.
“I didn’t believe in myself until I actually started to lead and saw people listened to me.”
On July 24, 2025, Kilo Company began the Crucible. The platoons were broken off into squads, and Emmanuella was placed in the same team as her brothers.
“The drill instructor told me, ‘You came together, so you can finish together,’” said Emmanuella.
Together, they faced the 54-hour Crucible. They completed a multitude of tests challenging everything from physical endurance to problem-solving and mental stamina until finally, they conducted their final Crucible hike. The siblings were back with their platoons. As a squad leader, Emmanuella was at the front of the formation. Victor and Emmanuel watched as their sister passed beneath the iconic “We Make Marines” sign, which signifies the end of the Crucible. Soon, the brothers passed under the sign as well.
“I turned to my brother and smiled,” said Victor.
Finally, after the hike, they stood in formation to receive their eagle, globe and anchor — the symbol of becoming Marines. Victor and Emmanuel received theirs together while Emmanuella stood with her platoon.
“Finally, after the mud we crawled through, we earned this,” said Emmanuel.
They then went to the chow hall to eat the warrior’s breakfast. The siblings saw each other for the first time as Marines, and the brothers shook their sister’s hand.
“Now the family is going to be three times prouder,” said Emmanuel.
Upon becoming Marines, the Ebokahs were able to take their U.S. citizenship test and become naturalized citizens. During the final two weeks on Parris Island, they walked with pride as both Marines and U.S. citizens.
One day, Emmanuella’s platoon was called to the front of the squad bay for promotions. She was surprised to hear her own name called. She was meritoriously promoted to private first class in front of the platoon.
“I was surprised and proud of myself at the same time.”
The Ebokahs graduated recruit training on Aug. 8, 2025. They went home to their family with a newfound sense of pride and purpose.
“Now I have to hold myself accountable,” said Victor. “I have to be the best at everything that I do.”
They left together for Marine Combat Training on Aug. 19, 2025, after which they will report to their individual MOS training and continue their Marine Corps careers, their bond, which had begun to weaken as they got older, now stronger than ever. They now have something in common that no one could take away.
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| Date Taken: | 08.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2025 08:48 |
| Story ID: | 547155 |
| Location: | KENNESAW, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | KENNESAW, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 5 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Stronger Together, by Cpl Colin Harper, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
