Marine recruit drops nearly 100 pounds to graduate from boot camp

Published Aug 5, 05:31 PM UTC

Private Michael Guzman, a 22-year-old from Clermont, Florida, recently graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island after losing nearly 100 pounds. Inspired by his uncle's service since age 5, Guzman weighed nearly 270 pounds after high school. A text from Staff Sgt. Luis Cervantes, a Marine recruiter, prompted him to pursue his dream. Through daily running, evening training, and healthier eating, Guzman lost enough weight to ship to recruit training on April 14, 2026. During boot camp, his senior drill instructor stopped calling him 'Meatball' as he transformed. He kept pace with lifelong athletes during the Crucible, the culminating event. Guzman graduated with his family present, especially his uncle. He will next attend Marine Combat Training and then military police training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and hopes to become a Marine recruiter.