MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, San Diego -- Being called a big guy may suit the description of a fullback for a football team, but as a Marine, it may come with connotations of being overweight, as Pfc. Lawrence Routt, Platoon 1047, Company C, has learned over these past 13 weeks.
Though the rigorous three-month training cycle will help any recruit shed extra pounds, coming to the depot as an overweight recruit, by Marine Corps standards, can prove to be a bigger challenge.
“I knew I was out of shape,” explained Routt, 22. “I’ve had to work hard and I feel that I’ve had to prove myself more than most of the other recruits because of my weight.”
Routt, an Oelwein, Iowa, native, says his weight gain was due to a lack of self discipline after losing his football scholarship after an injury in his third year at Iowa Central Community College.
“After I lost the scholarship, it was hard to stay in school, so I dropped out and my life started going downhill; partying and letting myself go,” said the former Triton fullback. “I wanted to join the Marine Corps after high school but the scholarship made football a priority. Once I noticed my life going nowhere, I knew it was time to take the step (in becoming a Marine).”
Routt knew he had to lose weight before he could go to boot camp, and the desire to be a part of the camaraderie pushed him to lose the weight and continued to do so throughout his 13 weeks of recruit training. His motivation remained even during the Crucible, the recruits last test of strength and endurance while being sleep and food deprived for over 54 hours.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I never thought I’d make it this far,” beamed the future data communications technician. “Tomorrow, (at the eagle globe and anchor ceremony) I’ll probably be the one crying my eyes out because I really didn’t think I would be here. It will be the biggest accomplishment of my life.”
Routt recalled what the factors were in helping him lose weight.
“Discipline is a big thing. When I got here I wasn’t passing my Physical Fitness Test. I’ve improved by at least 100 points and it’s because of the help of others, especially the drill instructors. The drill instructors have pushed me further than I have ever been pushed before, and they believed in me even when I didn’t believe in me.”
Routt’s drill instructors have been able to be the guiding lights down his new path and they have seen his transformation.
“When he first came he was very overweight, had no bearing and no confidence,” said Staff Sgt. Brently Bishop, senior drill instructor, Plt. 1047, Co. C. “We pushed and encouraged him on a daily basis to not just lose the weight, but become what we know he can be.”
Bishop explained how Routt, like most recruits, wasn’t used to the way the drill instructors motivate their platoons and it was a blow to his confidence. But one day it clicked and Routt took the higher road, the road in which his drill instructors wanted him to take.
“I don’t know exactly when it occurred, but he got confidence and everyone noticed,” Bishop said. “You can tell he’s proud of himself now, he stands taller and walks with confidence. He has gone to being the recruit that they all turn to for advice and knowledge.”
Routt reflected on his time aboard the depot. One of his many goals is to apply the Marine Corps leadership principle of seeking self-improvement.
“Boot camp really opened my eyes,” he said. “You need to take care of yourself, look the best you can and strive to be a better person. I seek self improvement every day. Even if you think you’re good enough there’s always room for improvement.”