Photo Information

Pfc. Rushi K. Bhatt prepares his Service “A” uniform, Nov. 15, to be ready for the battalion commander inspection. The inspection is used to evaluate if the new Marines are ready to graduate by inspecting their uniforms and appearance while being asked questions that test if the Marine has retained the knowledge they were taught in training. Bhatt is with Platoon 3261, Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Eric Quintinilla

Company M recruit turns his life around

19 Nov 2010 | Lance Cpl. Eric Quintinilla Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Looking to turn his life around, Pfc. Rushi K. Bhatt, Platoon 3261, Company M, 3rd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, found himself in a Marine recruiting office. He knew that the Marine Corps would help put him back on the path he strayed from so long ago.

Bhatt suffered many hardships growing up, such as losing his father at age 12 to lung cancer. After which, his mother took over as the sole provider for the family. Bhatt, a California native, was born to Jolee and Pramod Bhatt, and has one older brother.

During this time, his family moved around a lot, until his mother remarried. However, his stepfather became ill and passed away soon after.

According to Bhatt he began to struggle and rebel in middle school. He had little supervision while his mother worked and his brother moved out. His rebellious behavior continued through high school, he said.

In his junior year of high school, he noticed that he had fallen behind in school, and decided it would be in his best interest to take the California High School Proficiency Examination, like his brother had. At this time, Bhatt and his mother moved in with his aunt and uncle.

This however, did not last long due to conflicting views between his mother and uncle. His mom was forced to move yet again, while Bhatt stayed behind to continued to attend college. He soon lost contact with his mother.

Bhatt attended Diablo Valley Community College at age 19, with the intent of majoring in chemistry. He later decided he wanted to become a Marine.

His first experience with the Marine Corps was in college. A few blocks from campus he remembered seeing all four recruiting offices lined up next to one another. When he was ready to talk to a recruiter he did not even consider any other branch. On his way to the Marine office, he was stopped by an Army recruiter but he knew this was not for him.

“Their (the Marines) focus was different,” said Bhatt. “It was on training, values and discipline, not just in the job.”

While in boot camp, Bhatt enjoyed the rifle range most. With a near flunk on pre-qualification, Bhatt was surprised to find he qualified with an expert score the next day.

Although the rifle range was his favorite event, the day he remembers best is first phase when his platoon had finished drill practice late one night. The platoon was running back to their barracks while war crying, drowning out the shouts of a drill instructor of another platoon while his own drill instructor told them to turn up the volume. On this particular night, he said, camaraderie was especially high.

“He has come a long way,” said senior drill instructor Gunnery Sgt. Ceasare R. Williams, Platoon 3261, Company M, 3rd Battalion. “From a real shy type, to someone who understands the mission at hand.”

Bhatt was very humble and quiet said Williams. He did not display any troublesome qualities and was quick to get any task done.

“Once he is told the mission or tasked with one he will do it to the best of his ability,” said Williams. “He will listen to the fine details, and delegate to his subordinates what needs to happen.”

He adapted to recruit training very well, better than most, Williams said.

During the third phase of training, Bhatt received a letter from his mother, which was the first time he heard from her since she moved out and is hoping she can make it to his graduation. “I feel like the same person, but the way I should have turned out,” said Bhatt. “Now I’ve done something I can take pride in”


Marine Corps Training and Education Command