Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island -- Pfc. Elizabeth Reetz, the honor graduate of platoon 4001, Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, gave us some insight on what it means to be the platoon guide and why she wanted to lead from the front.
“When a recruit is appointed as the guide, that recruit is in charge of helping the other recruits and assisting the drill instructors by carrying out their instructions. Having this leadership position helps balance everything out and keep good order and discipline within the platoon even when the drill instructors are not around.”
“I remember how my rack mate used to motivate me and lift up my spirit when I was feeling down. I wanted to act like her and make other recruits feel the same way she made me feel. Throughout recruit training, I always thought to myself, ‘No matter how down I am feeling, someone else is feeling worse. I need to push myself to always be the one that is positive and pushing others to be their best.’”
Reetz is a native of Mansfield, Texas.