Tested, Not Defeated: A Marine Officer’s Battle to Commission

CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

01.27.2026

Story by Cpl. Desiree Ruiz 

1st Marine Logistics Group

The dream of leading Marines is universal among officer candidates, but the privilege is earned through a grueling process that tests them both physically and mentally. Over the course of Officer Candidate School, candidates will run countless miles, lead one another in billets, and pass extensive academic exams on U.S. Marine Corps history, ethics, and military skills. The honor of leading Marines is attained through resilience, discipline, and tenacity. For one 2nd Lt., at Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, the fight to earn his commission would extend far beyond OCS, demonstrating a level of resilience few can imagine.

October 31, 2022, was a day like any other for Charles Vozenilek, a native of Virginia and recent OCS graduate. While carrying out his typical gym routine, he felt a pop in his neck. Thinking nothing of it, he finished his workout, only to realize later that there was a visible lump. “I massaged and iced the whole thing, and it never went away. It didn’t hurt; it just subsided a little bit. The swelling went down, but it was still there,” he said of the experience. Over the next few days, he continued working out and treating the lump, expecting it to disappear. Two weeks later, at a family function, he mentioned the lump to his mother. Without hesitating, she immediately advised him to see a doctor. “I was like, okay, whatever mom. I’ll go to bed. She turned to my dad and sister who were still in the room and was like, Charlie has cancer,” he remembered. Vozenilek’s mother’s surety in his condition and her insistence to get checked spurred him to action. The following Monday morning, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, and began chemotherapy on December 9, 2022.

At OCS, Vozenilek stood at the top of his class physically. He routinely recorded near perfect scores on the U.S. Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, which consists of a max set of pull-ups, a plank, and a 3-mile run. Mere months after graduating the rigorous training, he listened as doctors explained the severity of his illness. “[My doctors] said, ‘you have a terminal illness. There is a chance that in three months you are dead, or in six months you are dead if this doesn’t work,’” Vozenilek said. “I was not expecting this.”

Determined to maintain normalcy, Vozenilek immediately went back to the gym the day after chemotherapy. However, not long after beginning chemotherapy, he realized the physical and emotional toll of battling cancer. “I was in the middle of exams and finals when all of this happened. I was supposed to commission into the Marine Corps six months after that,” recalled Vozenilek. “What should have taken me 10 minutes, took me about an hour and a half. I kind of underestimated what chemo would do to me,” Vozenilek continued. Shortly after beginning chemotherapy, it was made clear to Vozenilek that his commissioning would be postponed indefinitely.

Vozenilek turned to exercise during this challenging time, “I was like, okay, so that’s on pause, but I am good to do everything else. So, I worked out,” he stated. Over a very short period, Vozenilek noticed drastic changes to his appearance, appetite, and performance. With a pale face and sunken eyes, he continued his daily routines to the best of his abilities. Often, ending his nights forcing himself to eat to maintain enough weight to continue treatment. “There was a time where I thought I was losing to cancer,” he admitted. But after 243 days, Vozenilek defied the initial prognosis and was officially declared in remission.

After winning the battle for his survival, Vozenilek knew it was only the beginning of the rest of his life—And he still wanted to commission as a Marine Corps Officer. The aspiration had carried him through his battle with cancer. But first, he would need a medical waiver.

Despite his efforts to train throughout chemotherapy, the treatment left him far short of where he was prior to his diagnosis. To submit his medical waiver, he ran a PFT, but scored 250 out of 300, well short of his typical performance. He ran a second PFT, attaining a higher score, but both waivers were denied. On his third attempt, Vozenilek performed close to his post-OCS score, securing a favorable endorsement. On May 4, 2024, Charles Vozenilek commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps. Vozenilek graduated from the Basic School in April 2025, where he learned the basics of being a Marine Officer and leading Marines. He checked into H&S Bn, 1st MLG a week after graduating, where he serves as a Motor Transportation Platoon Leader.

“Everyone in life goes through challenges,” he said, “and I think that’s something that the Marine Corps kind of, not focuses on, but it attracts people looking for something because of what has happened in their life.” There are times where Vozenilek still questions how someone so young and healthy could suddenly become so sick. However, he persevered through immense adversity to earn the title of Marine, and his dedication to his Marines is evident.

“I wouldn’t say surviving the fight with cancer has really changed me as a person,” said Vozenilek. “I would just say that it’s an asterisk next to the word courage, or hard work, or dedication, or perseverance. It is something that I can connect my values to and it’s something tangible that I know I have gotten through.”

Whether it’s defeating cancer, remaining disciplined while undergoing chemotherapy, or jumping back into the fight immediately after overcoming these challenges, Vozenilek stands as a true exemplar of resiliency and the core values of the U.S. Marine Corps.

• Date Taken: 01.27.2026
• Date Posted: 01.28.2026 11:22
• Story ID: 556917
• Location: CALIFORNIA, US