PROUD TO BE TOP MARINE
2018 grad Rachel Rael says she’s ‘really proud’
Cpl. Rachel Rael, a Santa Fe grad, named U.S. Marine Corps Marine of the Year.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Rachel Rael, a 2018 Santa Fe High School graduate, is not your ordinary military grunt.
Rael, 20, was recently named Marine of the Year for her work in the Military Occupational Specialty of administration.
“It makes me feel really proud,” she said of the honor. “I joined the Marine Corps expecting it to be really difficult, but I’m doing really well in it. I love what it does for me. I love the Marine Corps.”
The award recognizes enlisted administrative personnel who demonstrate leadership in the course of service, provide outstanding support and comfort to those with whom they serve, and enhance morale and the personal welfare of others, according to a U.S. Marines news release.
A third-generation Marine stationed in Okinawa, Rael knew it was a life course she wanted to pursue from the time she was very young. She participated in the Navy ROTC program at Santa Fe High and that was good training for her future military career.
“The instructors in ROTC, they saw my potential and helped me with my physical fitness,” she said.
That was important when it came time for boot camp.
“While in boot camp, I liked the challenges it gave me,” Rael said. “It really made me stronger. I really looked up to the instructors.”
“I had five drill instructors in recruit training. Because of the physical fitness test, we worked out all the time. We had combat fitness, martial arts, as well as learning how to become a Marine.”
The work of the drill instructors left such a lasting impression that it gave Rael a career goal.
“I definitely want to make a career out of the Marine Corps, so I’m glad I’m off to a good start,” she said. “I want to be a drill instructor... They’re the image of the Marine Corps and they make the Marine, and I think that’s really great.”