MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - One of today’s graduates has already served in uniform, held an adventurous job and received a bachelor’s degree – fulfilling ambitions most people seek when they enlist in the Corps.
However, those achievements weren’t enough for Pfc. James Brown, a federal penitentiary corrections officer turned Marine. He said he could not feel complete until accomplishing his goal of earning the title Marine and the respect that accompanies it.
“The pride Marines carry – the image they have – there is no comparison,” said Brown, honor graduate for Platoon 3032, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. “They are the toughest ones out there, and I’ve always been the kind of person who believes that no matter what I do in life it’s either go hard or go home.”
As a corrections officer at Federal Correctional Complex Coleman, Fla., Brown already had a “tough” career before enlisting into Marine Forces Reserve. He worked at a U.S. penitentiary housing nearly 2,000 inmates, said Department of Justice Lieutenant James Taylor, operations lieutenant for FCC Coleman. Brown was in charge of the troublemakers who would misbehave among the general population.
Taylor said Brown was the senior officer assigned to the Special Housing Unit, where inmates remain in their cells from 23 to 24 hours a day. He was the police officer within the compound who oversaw the inmates activities.
Brown went to recruit training already possessing the qualities of a Marine, such as attention to detail and professionalism, which he displayed when working with the inmates, Taylor continued.
“He could have fooled a lot of people if he said he was a Marine, because he already acts like one,” Taylor said.
Brown had dreams of becoming a Marine even before he got married, said Julia Brown, his wife.
“He strives to earn the respect of others,” his wife continued. “He will do what it takes. He is a very committed and amazing individual.”
After serving at the federal prison for 10 years and being married for two, Brown finally decided to enlist at the age of 28.
He showed his determination to become a Marine throughout his training and stood out from the rest of his platoon.
“He’s real mature – always about teamwork and taking initiative,” said Sgt. Carlos Hernandez, senior drill instructor for Plt. 3032, India Co., 3rd RTBn. “When I found out that he had served for 10 years in the penitentiary system, [his character] made a lot of sense.”
Hernandez said Brown’s life experience left him very knowledgeable, and the others in his platoon looked up to him. However, his own strength weakened him at times.
“Brown struggled with conforming to being a recruit,” Hernandez said. “Being older and coming from his job, it was hard having all that stripped from him.”
Nonetheless, Brown became Plt. 3032’s guide.
Although corrections officers constantly correct inmates, Brown said it was difficult adjusting to recruits. He said leading teenagers is more difficult than supervising criminals, but luckily, the platoon came together quickly.
Even for this corrections officer, recruit training was anything but a walk in the park. He said the biggest challenge in training was being separated for three months from his other half.
Brown said his wife’s letters helped him stay focused.
“I know it sounds corny, but without her I wouldn’t know where I’d be,” he said.
His wife sent Marine news articles and photos to motivate him through training.
“I always supported him because I knew he wanted it since the beginning,” Julia Brown said. “And obviously [the Marine Corps] is the most elite branch of the military. It made me feel very honored – very proud that he wanted to do that.”
Brown said he is looking forward to representing his drill instructors and platoon and seeing his family for the first time in three months. He plans to continue working at FCC Coleman and furthering his military career as a reservist.
Whether you call him Pfc. Brown or Officer Brown, James Brown said he is proud to serve his country in two different fields – law enforcement and military. He believes being a Marine will benefit him as a corrections officer, just as his background helped him rise above the rest in his journey to become a Marine.
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