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Recruit James Hibler, Platoon 2135 guide, Company F, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, secures the area April 10,
2012 aboard Edson Range, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Hibler has displayed excellent leadership skills since at recruit training. He has been Plt.
2135's guide since training day one which is a hard title to
maintain. Photo by USMC Lance Cpl. Crystal Druery
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SAN DIEGO (4/19/2012) - Life sometimes takes turns that
shake one's foundation to the core, bringing about a life
altering experience.
Pfc. James Hibler had a promising future
ahead of him. He finished his bachelor's degree in criminal
justice, patrolled with the Fort Worth Police Department for
a few years, then he began the hiring process for a position
with Homeland Security. With a single tragic event, the
future he had planned was no longer what he desired.
April 6, 2011, Hibler received a call informing him that his
longtime friend, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Daniel Smith, was killed
while conducting combat operations in Helmand province,
Afghanistan.
Six weeks prior, Hibler and the rest of
Smith's friends and family said their goodbyes, anticipating
Smith's safe return—after all, he had come home safely from
three deployments prior. Hibler couldn't believe the news.
But once it was confirmed by a reliable source, he instantly
found a new calling in his life. |
That same day, he
was face-to-face with a Marine recruiter. He was ready to
join the same cause Smith had given his life for.
After attending Smith's funeral, Hibler said it was obvious
how respected Smith was for his dedication to his country.
Seeing this helped reinforce just how much Hibler wanted to
make a difference.
“Being at his funeral made me
realize I had done a lot in my life, but I hadn't done
anything that would make me feel as proud as I did about my
friend,” said the 27-year-old Arlington, Texas, native.
With prior Marines in his immediate family, Hibler
already had a positive view of the Marine Corps. His brother
served four years as an enlisted Marine. Seeing the way his
brother carried himself after joining the Marine Corps
influenced his decision to enlist.
Hoping to make his
family and friends proud, Hibler has done his best to
display his leadership skills since arriving at recruit
training 12 weeks ago.
“He's been the guide since
Training Day One,” said Gunnery Sgt. Enrique Lopez, drill
instructor, Plt. 2135, Company F, 2nd RTBn. “He's displayed
all the qualities we look for in a guide. He motivates
fellow recruits, gives them guidance and knowledge. He's a
good leader.”
The guide is chosen among 60 to 70
recruits by the drill instructors. He must display excellent
leadership skills and lead fellow recruits throughout
recruit training. It's a difficult position to maintain in
recruit training and most recruits don't hold the title very
long unless they excel in the position the way Hibler did.
“He's shown me how to be a leader,” said Pfc. Preston
Agalzoff, Plt. 2135, Company F, 2nd RTBn. “I'm fourth
squad's leader and he has helped me excel in this position.”
Squad leaders help the guide maintain structure in the
platoon. They are also selected by their drill instructors
for good leadership qualities. Hibler never hesitated to
share his knowledge or time with fellow recruits.
“The recruits know they can always go to Hibler at any time,
about anything, and he will help them,” said Agalzoff, the
18-year-old Seaside, Ore., native.
Now that recruit
training is winding down for Company F, Hibler will soon be
a Marine and carry his leadership on to fellow junior
Marines in the fleet.
“He's already experienced a
lot in life, giving him the ability to share his experience
with fellow Marines,” said Lopez.
Hibler has shown
he's learned many valuable traits prior to coming to recruit
training. This makes him a valuable asset to the Marine
Corps if he continues to uphold his leadership skills.
“I wanted to try and bring my leadership skills I had
gained from patrolling with law enforcement officials to the
Marine Corps,” said Hibler, Platoon 2135, Company F, 2nd
Recruit Training Battalion.
Company F graduates April
20 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Hibler and
the rest of Company F will go on to complete Marine Combat
Training at Marine Base Camp Pendleton. Hibler will then be
trained in the military occupation of enlisted aircrew,
where he hopes to excel in his new job and help others. He
will continue honoring Smith's memory through his service.
“My friend's one-year anniversary since his death was
just a few days ago,” said Hibler, “Being at recruit
training during his anniversary makes me reflect on what I'm
doing with my life now and why it's important.”
By USMC Lance Cpl. Crystal Druery
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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