MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (June 27, 2008) – Three months ago they went to boot camp as brothers on the Buddy Program—a recruiting incentive that allows friends to go through boot camp together.
Today, Lance Cpl. Jonathon and Pfc. Curtis Bailey, Platoon 1042, Company C, walk across Shepherd Memorial Drill Field as two of the top Marines in their company.
Jonathon, 18, was promoted from platoon scribe to the guide, while his older brother Curtis, 22, held responsibility as the second squad leader.
Jonathon took his success to the next level, earning the title of company honorman—the top Marine in the company.
In boot camp they stuck together, just as they did when they were younger.
Curtis and Jonathon said they grew up as best friends in the 100 degree temperatures of Mesa, Ariz.
Jonathon said they did virtually everything together, including skateboarding, playing sports and shared rooms with each other. Regardless of their inseparability, they often fought.
“There have been times when we thought we hated each other,” said Curtis. “But no matter what happened, we got past it and things got better.”
Despite their differences, Curtis and Jonathon had dreams. Curtis wanted to become a firefighter and believed his calling in life was to eventually become a pastor. Jonathon wanted to be a high school teacher and football coach.
Curtis graduated from Skyline High School in 2004, three years before his brother. He began taking college courses in fire science in pursuit of becoming a firefighter. They also worked together as electricians until Jonathon graduated from high school.
They both eventually married and moved away from each other, but their bond grew stronger.
Curtis’ wife worked at the local mall in a shop near a recruiting office. While visiting his wife at work, Curtis decided to talk to the recruiters of each branch of service.
“The Marine Corps caught my eye because they had higher standards,” said Curtis.
After speaking with a Marine recruiter several times and discussing options with his wife, Curtis knew he would be making the right choice by signing up.
“I never second-guessed myself,” said Curtis. “The Marine Corps would help me help my family while giving back to my country.”
Curtis decided he would take a break from school to concentrate on the Marine Corps.
“School would take me several years to complete,” said Curtis. “I realized I needed to do something that could change me right now. The Marine Corps will give me the traits and education I need to be successful throughout my life.”
Curtis was convinced he wanted to become a Marine and it did not take long before his little brother followed suit.
“It wasn’t until I finished high school that I was grown up enough to realize what 9/11 meant,” said Jonathon. “I realized that there’s more in life than just me.”
The brothers began recruit training in April. They motivated, helped and supported each other through the often stressful boot camp environment.
Jonathon decided to his performance to a new level while serving as the platoon administrative assistant known as the scribe. He began taking charge of other recruits and motivating them to accomplish the mission.
“(Jonathon) quickly established himself as a natural leader in the platoon,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy L. Brown Jr., senior drill instructor, Platoon 1042. “Since the first phase he showed that he was the guy for the job.”
Brown, a native of Fredericksburg, Va., said that Curtis started to show his potential during the second phase of training. He showed that he was capable of being the platoon guide as well. Brown said he often used Curtis to stand in as guide while his brother was absent for appointments.
Consequently, the Bailey brothers’ leadership helped make their platoon strong, which was named honor platoon for Company C, said Brown.
Holding the position as the platoon’s guide, Jonathon also had to compete against the other platoon’s guides for the title of company honorman.
“Everybody in the platoon helped me,” said Jonathon. “Wherever I went, my fellow recruits quizzed me on knowledge, military bearing and my confidence.”
With the help of his blood brother Curtis and his brothers-in-arms, Jonathon won the company honorman board. He was meritoriously promoted to lance corporal and will be graduating today as the senior Marine in his company.
The Bailey brothers contracted in the aviation maintenance field. They will be returning home to their families for 10 days of boot camp leave before attending Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.