MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- The first time he learned of the benefits the military had to offer, it was through a pamphlet his friend showed him within the walls of a homeless shelter.
Growing up in downtown Chicago, Recruit Isaiah D. Harris, Platoon 2162, Company H, lived in a two-bedroom apartment with his mother, grandfather, two sisters and brother.
“When I was two years old, my father left my mother, forcing her to raise us kids alone,” said Harris.
When Harris was 11, his mother abruptly moved her four children to Plymouth, Minn., where they moved from shelter to shelter until he was 14-years-old.
Harris said he had to tolerate the embarrassment of the school bus picking him up at a homeless shelter every day, but becoming active in wrestling is really what influenced him to graduate from high school.
“My mentor was my wrestling coach because he always pushed me to my limits,” said Harris.
He inspired Harris because he was the first person to push him, knowing that he could do better than he expected.
“It was then my goal to become a collegiate wrestler,” said Harris, “I just needed a scholarship.”
When he found out he didn’t have the academic standings for a scholarship, he was crushed.
“A scholarship was my only way to go to college because I had no means to pay for a college education,” said Harris.
Even after graduating from high school at 17, Harris’ future looked bleak. He said he was still living in a shelter and had no direction in life.
But it was at this shelter that he befriended a man who was pursuing a career in the military. His friend showed him a pamphlet which really surprised him with the many benefits there were in joining the armed forces.
Harris visited a recruiter, but did not enlist.
Later, as he was looking for a job at a mall, he was approached by a Marine recruiter. Shortly thereafter, he found himself at a coffee shop with the recruiter and seriously thinking about his future for the first time since high school.
“He told me about how the Marine Corps can give me an opportunity to wrestle,” said Harris, “And that many famous wrestlers today are former Marines.”
Harris noticed that the Marine recruiter was not trying to sell him anything but a chance to be successful, both personally and morally successful.
“He asked me if I was in battle would I want the guy next to me to be there because he is getting paid, or because he is dedicated and wants to be there,” said Harris.
Dedication was more important to Harris than money.
Harris left for recruit training within two weeks, with an open contract which meant his job would be announced during boot camp.
Not only is dedication emphasized in recruit training, but leadership and teamwork are key concepts as well.
“Harris has improved throughout recruit training by taking initiative, learning how to trust others and working together,” said Sgt. Guadalupe J. Zapata, senior drill instructor, Platoon 2162, Company H.
“If I had the opportunity to become a collegiate wrestler now, I would have to decline,” said Harris. “I am on my way to build myself a career, gain experience and have a place in society.”
Most importantly, he now has more important obligations to his country, he said.
Harris said the Marines will give him discipline, a future full of opportunities, a direction in life and most notably, a foundation on which to build, said Harris.
“I want not only to have better role models, but to be a role model myself,” said Harris.
“He shows a lot of maturity for his age by fixing his mistakes,” said Zapata. “He takes criticism very well.”
“Someone once told me, ‘It’s not how long a life you live, but how much life you live,’” said Harris. “And it has stuck with me because it’s more important to live life to its fullest, instead of playing it safe and never taking any chances.”
Zapata hopes to see Harris meritoriously promoted to a noncommissioned officer one day soon.
“He is not going to let anything stop him,” said Zapata. “He has a hunger for it.”
Recruits who didn’t have as much as others prior to enlisting see the opportunities in the Marine Corps as a gift and don’t take it for granted, said Zapata.