MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, San Diego -- Many say the bonds of brotherhood are forged in recruit training, but two recruits of Platoon 1041, Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, sought to strengthen what they already possessed.
Christian Miervalle and Jesus Mier, took their first step together in expanding their family bonds and entered recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
The two brothers grew up in Sacramento, Calif., and attended Natomas High School.
Mier, 22, had always considered enlisting in to the Marine Corps, but didn’t want to leave his brother and mother behind.
“I wanted to go since I was 18, but I wanted to help my mom because she was a single parent, so I stayed to help,” said Mier.
As time passed, Mier was not quite ready to give up on his goal of becoming a Marine. When the time finally came to step on to those yellow footprints, he wasn’t alone. His younger brother, Miervalle, was with him every step of the way.
“I think (this is) towards a better future,” said Miervalle. “I grew up with him. I look up to him.”
At first the brothers were hesitant to inform their drill instructors of their relationship, fearing the challenges that lay ahead of them.
“Initially when they got to the platoon they tried to hide it,” said Staff Sgt. Fernando Faria, senior drill instructor, Co. C, 1st RTBn. It wasn’t until second phase of recruit training that their drill instructors caught on. Before long, the two brothers learned what they needed to do to ensure successful completion of recruit training.
“They definitely feed off of each other,” said Faria. “Sometimes they try and do their own things but they always look out for each other.”
By looking to each other for advice and assistance, they were able to push through even the most difficult of challenges. “I can always go to my brother, and he would push me,” said Miervalle.
“He was the only real person I could count on.” Although they had each other to fall back on in a time of need, the platoon also benefited from both Mier and Miervalle.
“You can tell they have unity,” said Faria. “Their natural brotherhood helped bring unity the platoon.” Throughout the 12-week recruit training cycle, recruits learn the importance of teamwork, and begin to form lasting relationships with each other. As their relationship grew stronger, they also created new friendships throughout the platoon.
“We have different rack mates who we grew to bond with as well,” said Mier. “We wouldn’t hesitate to help them out.”
Although they had each other, recruit training still presented Mier and Miervalle a few challenges. “They had a hard time with drill, they’re not very coordinated,” said Faria.
Regardless of his apparent trouble with drill, Mier found that he really enjoyed it, and strived to perfect each movement.
“With drill, at first, I used to get blasted, but toward the end I got better,” said Mier. “You wouldn’t think drill would be so hard, it takes a lot of discipline.”
Miervalle, however, found that he most enjoyed being on the rifle range, since it was the first time he has fired a rifle. Most of their desire had come from stories of their grandparents’ experience serving in the Mexican Army. Their grandparents had encouraged them to pursue the Marine Corps because of the high standards Marines are expected to uphold.
“The stories they tell us and the things they did -- we glorified that,” said Miervalle. “It was a big influence to us.”
Although their grandparents started them on the path, it’s their drill instructors that inspire them further.
“I’ve seen my drill instructors and they’ve influenced me so much that I want to do the same thing they are doing,” said Mier.
Both Mier and Miervalle graduate from recruit training on April 13, and after their 10 days of leave will move on to the School of Infantry aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.