MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- From the moment he began school, it was obvious he was different from his peers. In middle school, he effortlessly maintained a 4.0 grade point average and by the time he was 16 years old, he was a full-time college student.
He then finished high school having earned 90 college credits and held a 3.3 GPA. At 17, he carried his driven attitude and academic success into recruit training with him, breaking his rifle range’s record for recruits.
Recruit Robert J. Nystrom, Platoon 3236, Company K, is not superhuman, but a Troutdale, Ore., native who has always had high expectations for himself.
“My father taught me to be a hard worker and strive to obtain the best score possible,” said Nystrom. “He emphasized that even the smallest tasks demand 110 percent of my effort every time.”
Nystrom’s late father, Marine Sgt. Randy Nystrom, served as a military police officer for six years.
“A lot of what my father taught me was undoubtedly influenced by him being a Marine,” said Nystrom.
After his father died in 2008, Nystrom reflected on the life lessons his father taught him and remembered to stay strong when events are unexpected and to keep his bearing at all times.
“Both of my parents always encouraged me to do my best both academically and mentally,” said Nystrom. “They also taught me to help those in need and to never question putting others before myself.”
His father also influenced him to join the Young Marine Program when he was 13 years old, which he participated in for three years. The program teaches honesty, fairness, courage, respect, loyalty and dependability to our country and its institutions. It also promotes physical activity and advocates a drug-free lifestyle. Nystrom was the honor graduate of this program.
“The most valuable thing I got out of the program was to have a sense of respect for people and have good character,” said Nystrom. “I define good character by carrying myself in a professional manner and being respectful toward others.”
Nystrom carried this with him all through Fort Vancouver High School, Vancouver, Wash. He sought ways he could challenge himself and maximize his potential.
Nystrom researched online the eligibility requirements for the Running Start Program, which is available to provide students with an option of attending institutions of higher education and the simultaneous earning of high school and college credit. He then took the placement exam for Clark College, Vancouver, his tenth grade year.
Nystrom stopped going to his high school his junior year. He began attending Clark College and was receiving duel high school and college credits. His goal was to obtain an associate of arts degree.
After Nystrom planned on transferring, he wanted to get his bachelor’s degree in political science because he was passionate about history and politics and how they interacted with each other, he said.
But Nystrom had a change of heart. He wanted to enlist into the Marine Corps, and later look into programs that could help him become an officer.
Another goal is making the Marine Corps Rifle Team.
At six years old, he first shot a gun with his father, who was an avid gun collector. About once a month he would go shooting with his father and brother.
“My father taught me everything about shooting,” Nystrom said.
Nystrom scored 335 out of 350 points possible on both his Table I and Table II qualifications at the rifle range during boot camp. This score broke the highest record a recruit had shot on Delta Range, Weapons Field and Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
“Nystrom was shy in the beginning of recruit training,” said Staff Sgt. Juan P. Segura, senior drill instructor, Platoon 3236, Co. K. “But he soon showed drive to take charge and was much more competitive toward the end. He became more aggressive at making decisions and motivating other recruits.”
“It is unique that he is self motivated and doesn’t need others to push him,” said Segura. “Nystrom gives 100 percent of his effort on his own.”
Nystrom is a good leader as well as dependable because he is a problem solver and consequently, people will come to him to solve problems, Segura said.
Because he earned college credits and was the high shooter at the rifle range, Nystrom will be graduating as a private first class.
“My advice to Nystrom is to stay focused and not to be influenced by the wrong people,” said Segura. “I advise him to take the leadership traits from admirable leaders and set aside the characteristics he would rather not have.”
His father’s mentorship and advice helped push Nystrom as far as he could go, allowing to him flourish despite his father’s absence. Among his accomplishment of having shot the highest recruit rifle score, Nystrom will graduate from Marine Corps recruit training with what he considers the highest honor, being a United States Marine.