Senior Bryce Dean chooses career path of becoming a Marine

Deciding what to do after high school is difficult for most, however, senior Bryce Dean has chosen to join the Marines after graduation. He officially became a member of the Marine Corps on Tuesday, May 24.

Dean has wanted to be involved in the military for awhile, but wasn’t sure what branch to become a part of until the last few years.

“Ever since 8th grade, I knew I wanted to do something in the military, and I figured the Marine Corps would be the best,” Dean said.

Overall, Dean’s family has been very pleased with his decision to become a Marine.

“My family is more supportive than I thought they would be. The family I’m really close to supports me and they’re excited for me but also nervous,” Dean said.

Dean has currently been assigned as an aviation mechanic, where he will be checking the aircrafts in order to make sure they are ready for use. Dean will prep, or go through check lists to make sure everything is ready. According to Dean, an opportunity for him to be placed on a battling aircraft carrier is also a possibility depending on the circumstances in Afghanistan.

Each newcomer is assigned a recruiter, and Dean’s will be Sergent Hermes Johan Lacea. Getting in contact with Lacea by meeting with him at the recruiting center led Dean to becoming  a Marine.

“[Dean] actually requested for more information about the Marines. We have a system that picks up on it. He went onto Marines.com and it informed us, as recruiters, that someone was interested,” Lacea said.  “I was [then] able to contact him. We sat down and talked about [what]  the Marines offer, and that’s what he wants.”

Lacea believes Dean is ready for the commitment of becoming a Marine.

“With him, he wants that challenge of becoming a Marine. It’s a great way to enter adulthood for sure, [while learning] technical skills and [getting] some experience under your belt as well,” Lacea said.

Being a Marine takes dedication that not everyone has, Dean mentioned.

“When you become a Marine, you’re signing on make a commitment not only to yourself, but your nation and the Marine Corps itself,” Dean said. “I think it defines you because you learn a new side of you, a part of you that you don’t get to see until they help bring it out for you.”