Being goofy elite
Junior Colton Syler strives to join an elite class of military officers while balancing school, track and soccer.
By Zac Villarreal | Royal Report
Colton Syler received calls from a random number for weeks, and frequently ignored the caller. One day, while in Lissner Hall’s lobby, Syler received the call again. In an attempt at humor, Syler gave the phone to his friend, Katie Caldwell. After answering, Caldwell looked confused and handed the phone to Syler, whispering it was for him.
In that phone call, Syler set up a meeting with Sgt. Sanchez from the Marine Officer Cadency, an elite program within the Marines that recruits people who fit the criteria of potentially being able to lead and guide Marines.
“Initially I told him that I didn’t want to enlist in the Marines because I don’t want to waste four years and working toward my degree,” Syler said.
“They look for the ability to make quick decisions whether they are right or not. They told me the worst decision is to not make one.” — Colton Syler, junior
Sgt. Sanchez swayed Syler’s mind when he informed him what the officer program entails, including a chance to become a pilot. Syler decided to enlist.
Not everyone has what it takes to be a Marine officer. The Marines will reject applicants if they are not physically fit, have incapable leadership qualities, receive poor peer reviews or prove to be unable to handle difficult situations. They are looking for officers who can separate themselves as leaders.
“We will turn people away if we believe that they do not have the leadership ability to lead Marines.” — Capt. Jacob Roach, Syler’s initial recruiter
“They look for the ability to make quick decisions whether they are right or not,” Syler said. “They told me the worst decision is to not make one.”
The Marines want to select Officers who are able to be great leaders and lead under pressure.
“We will turn people away if we believe that they do not have the leadership ability to lead Marines,” said Capt. Jacob Roach, Syler’s initial recruiter.
Despite not knowing if Syler will be selected, he believes he has what it takes to make it through to Officer Candidates School. With the uncertainty present, Syler still moves forward by balancing school, soccer, track, and Marines practices.
Syler spent his whole summer training for the physical fitness test, the first check mark off the long list of required Marine affairs. Syler had to be able to do 20 pull ups and run three miles in 18 minutes. He remained committed to his training and passed easily. In addition to the fitness test, Syler took the aviation test. He passed his first time.
Part of the Marine Cadency program requires recruits to report to poolee functions, which are team building exercises made to help recruits learn to work with others through physical activity. The morning before Syler’s second poolee function, his car would not start. He needed to be there in half an hour.
Syler raced back into his dorm to ask his friend Micah Nichols for his car. Nichols, who was half asleep, gave Syler permission. Syler arrived just in time. Syler went on to endure a seven-mile hike with a 30-pound backpack. He had a rock in his shoe for three miles.
“I thought for sure we would stop sooner but I just waited and ran weird until we did.” Said Syler.
After this semester, Syler will have to report to bootcamp for the Officer Candidates School, a 10-week program. If he is able to make it through the summer, he will be offered to sign an eight-year contract, accepting him as a Marine Officer.
After Syler graduates from Bethel University, he will begin The Basic School training, where all newly appointed Marine officers are taught the basics of being an officer of the Marines.
In completion of TBS, Syler hopes to complete the aviation program and become a pilot for the Marines, assuming Syler is accepted as an officer.
“I usually rise up to the occasion on stuff like this.” — Colton Syler, junior
Syler however, has enjoyed the process thus far and has not been discouraged by the uncertainty of acceptance. Syler credits the poolee functions as fun and rewarding in addition to being a part of such an elite class and being able to serve his country.
“I usually rise up to the occasion on stuff like this,” Syler said.
Timeline:
- Spring Break March (2016) Received from phone call from recruiter to get him to enlist in Marines, ended up setting up meeting.
- A week after Syler meets with a Recruiter at Bethel, “Initially I told him that I didn’t want to enlist in the Marines because I don’t want to waste four years and working toward my degree,” Syler said. Within meeting told him about officer program because you need degree to do that.
- Early April, Syler has another meeting with a new recruiter about the Office program. Syler receives an application from the second meeting and sends it in two weeks after.
- Beginning of summer into June Syler begins training for the physical fitness test. “I would do a pull up workout everyday because I had to get to 20 for the test, and I would also run 2 miles with every workout,” Syler said.
- Beginning of July, Syler takes the aviation test and passes his first time, something that is rare.
- August 21, Syler passes the physical fitness test.
- Early September Syler is informed that he has been accepted into program PLC Platoons Leader Command. This is the program that sends Syler on poolee functions where he will prove that he has the capable leadership abilities.
- September 10, Syler’s first poolee function on a weekend trip where he eats MRES for the first time.
- November 19, Syler’s second poolee function where his car fails to start the morning of and a rock is stuck in his shoe during a 7 mile hike.
- Syler’s next poolee function will be in early February.
- He will begin OCS at the beginning of the summer. If he survives the 10 weeks of bootcamp he will have the option to sign a contract becoming a Marine Officer.
Source: Interviews.
