Transformations
David Smith: For me, the proudest moment was the day that we saw him at graduation because you could see the transformation, and you could see that he now had a sense of duty, something that he was going to do, a job that he wanted to do.
Harold Stewart: Once graduation and you transform from being a civilian to a Marine, it was just one of the best things in the world.
Holly Clayman: He had pride of himself, and he hadn’t had that yet. He had respect for himself and respect for others around him — not only other Military but just the people around him.
Barbara Heinz: He was a little bit lost. You know, he was in college, but he didn’t really have any direction, and then when he graduated from boot camp he knew what he wanted to do, and he said, “Oh, I’m going to do this for 30 years,” which he may not do, but, you know… I mean, he — he grew.
Dawn Woodings: They’ve got a look on their face that says, “I am proud. I did it. I made it. I am a Soldier.”
Louis Arroyo: I mean, it’s just a remarkable transformation that happens from the day they leave your home to the day they graduate. They’re highly disciplined. They’re motivated. They’re proud.
Darlene Anderson: I saw my boy become a man. I could see the confidence.
Edward Smigelski: He’d matured an awful lot. I mean, just because he used to be a wild young man. He’s just very more mature, even more so now. This experience for him has really helped him grow up.
Rusty Mead: It’s made her a more responsible young lady. It has. I can see it in her. She’s just a more responsible person.
Marc Danziger: I think it grew him up. I mean, this is the classic thing that people say the Military does, and I think it really did for him, and I think he sees the world much more clearly. He sees himself much more clearly.
Mary McHugh: The transformation was immense, and yes, it did alleviate a lot of my apprehension. It was truly… He had become the man that he said he was going to become.
Monique Morris: He just changed a lot, like, I don’t know… It was weird just to see him grown up, I guess, grown up. It took my breath away.
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