Pfc. Ryan J. Brousseau, a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and a graduate of the University of Alabama, graduated Marine Corps recruit training as honor graduate of Platoon 3006, Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, on Jan. 25, 2019, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
He spent the last 13 weeks aboard MCRD Parris Island training to earn the title of ‘U.S. Marine’. In order to earn the title of 'U.S. Marine,' Brousseau learned a wide variety of basic survival and combat skills through strenuous physical and mental training.
“My favorite part of recruit training was being challenged mentally and physically every day,” said Brousseau, a prior robot programmer and maintenance technician at Mercedes Benz U.S. International Inc.
Through his time as a recruit Brousseau completed multiple things such as rifle marksmanship, swim qualification, and survival training. It all culminated to the final event known as “The Crucible”. The Crucible is a 54-hour long culminating event that requires recruits to work as a team and overcome challenges in order to earn the title United States Marine.
“The hardest part of recruit training is being away from my family,” stated Brousseau.
During their entire time aboard MCRD Parris Island the recruits are led and mentored by their drill instructors. Most platoons have three drill instructors, one of the drill instructors is known as the senior dill instructor.
Staff Sgt. Michel Garcia, the senior drill instructor of Platoon 3006, taught Brousseau to unlock his leadership abilities and become a better leader, said Brousseau.
Brousseau was chosen by his drill instructors to be the platoon honor graduate for platoon 3006. He was selected as the best out of the other 87 recruits in his platoon. After graduation, Brousseau will attend the School of Infantry on Camp Geiger, North Carolina.