By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Wyatt Zeigler dreamed of being in the military since he was in elementary school. By the time he was in eighth grade, he knew he wanted to join the United States Marine Corps.
So, when the Elmwood High School senior suffered a debilitating injury during a wrestling practice in January 2023, he wasn’t sure what that meant for his plan to enlist in the Marine Corps after graduating.
He hurt his knee during practice on a Tuesday, yet he finished practice and competed the next day without any issues. However, during a normal practice on Thursday, his leg unexpectedly locked up and he was in a lot of pain. A torn meniscus “was the end of my high school wrestling career,” he said.
He started wrestling when he was in the eighth grade, the same year he decided he wanted to be a Marine. “Wrestling appealed to me because it is a very challenging sport, and I really liked the coaching staff,” said Zeigler, who competed in the 145-pound weight class. “I’m always looking to push myself.”
Zeigler, son of Danny and Heidi Zeigler and brother to two younger siblings, always lived in the Bowling Green area and attended Elmwood from kindergarten through high school.
A couple weeks after the injury, he had surgery followed by eight weeks of rest. Determined to get back into shape with a goal of fulfilling his military dream to enlist in the Marines, Zeigler worked tirelessly for many months doing physical training to restore his knee back to normal.
“My main inspirations for wanting to become a United States Marine were a strong sense of patriotism, as well as a desire to serve and protect others,” Zeigler said. The customs and traditions of the Marine Corps also appealed to him.
In October 2023, as soon as his orthopedic surgeon cleared him for regular activities, Zeigler enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program, a structured physical training regimen to prepare young men and women for the rigors of boot camp.
“To get into the Delayed Entry Program, young men and women must meet mental and physical qualifications and make the commitment to enlist in the Marine Corps,” said Staff Sergeant Ethan D. Simmons, commander of the Findlay Recruiting Station.
“Poolees,” individuals who are qualified and committed to become U.S. Marines, participate in workouts one to three times a week with a Marine mentor, Simmons said.
As a poolee, “Zeigler began to learn the fundamentals and hallmarks of what it means to be a Marine,” said Sergeant Tyler W. Kirian Tyler, recruiter for the Bowling Green recruiting station. “While in the program, he got to work side-by-side with Marines who have just come back from boot camp and with his recruiter in order to prepare for the next 13 weeks of boot camp.”
“My experience in the Delayed Entry Program helped set the foundation for becoming a Marine,” Zeigler said. “It taught me about the history of the Marine Corps, allowed me to stay in shape, and showed me a glimpse of what the Marine Corps was about.”
Zeigler, like all poolees, stayed in the Delayed Entry Program until Jan. 8, his selected date to attend boot camp on his way to earn the title of United States Marine. On April 5, he graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
He called his boot camp experience “amazing.” He enjoyed the challenge of bootcamp and “loved learning the basics about how to operate in a field environment and as a team,” he said. “It’s not easy, but it is very rewarding.”
Learning the core values of honor, courage and commitment helped him grasp the concept of what the Marines is about. Zeigler also heard about Medal of Honor recipients which motived him to be the best version of himself. Because he is an Eagle Scout, he earned the title Private First Class upon graduation from boot camp.
Zeigler planned to train to become a diesel engine mechanic, with a second choice of aviation mechanic. Because he scored well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, he was selected for the more difficult job of being an aviation mechanic. He first needs to complete Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina before flying to Pensacola, Florida, for additional schooling, he explained. “Once completed, I will officially be able to go into the fleet and apply my skills to strengthen and maintain the aviation department of the Marine Corps,” he said.
“Wyatt’s transformation into a United States Marine is a prime example of exactly why we recruiters love our responsibility to recruit the Nation’s finest,” Simmons said.
