MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Last fall, a young man sat quietly on an airplane looking over a list and reading the words out loud for himself to remember.
"This recruit's first general order is ...," says the young man.
Occasionally glancing out the window, he thinks of what he is about to endure and remembers who has made this same trip only a few years earlier.
On Oct. 17, 2002, one recruit stepped onto the yellow footprints, not only was he standing where thousands of Marines have been before but he was standing where his brothers Travis and Nicholas had stood before.
PFC Brent A. Johnson, Platoon 1135, says he has always emulated his brothers and now joins them as a United States Marine.
"Ever since my brother, Travis, joined the Marine Corps, I have wanted to be just like him," said Johnson. "He came in one day and told the family he had joined the Marine Corps. No one believed him. It was like the day after he graduated he up and left for recruit training. It was a very quick adjustment I had to make."
Johnson said his brother Nick tried a different path after high school.
"Nick went to college right after high school and didn't do so well," said Johnson. "He decided it wasn't for him and joined the Marine Corps."
According to Johnson, his brothers have completely different personalities and both have influenced him in different ways.
"Travis was almost a bigger influence while I was growing up than my father," said Johnson. "My father was away for work a lot and Travis stepped up to help me out. He has always been more of a father figure than a brother."
Johnson said Nick has a more relaxed demeanor than his older brother.
"Nick was more of the guy to go to if you were looking for a party or something to do," said Johnson. "He was more of the light-hearted one."
When Johnson was getting ready to graduate high school, he looked at his options such as college or military service.
"I was having a difficult time making the decision about what I should do with my life," said Johnson.
Johnson turned to the one person he knew could help him get through this - his mother.
"I relayed my problems to my mom and she helped me sort out some things," said Johnson. "She used my brothers as examples. She explained to me how Travis had a great job and future in the Marine Corps and then told me about some of the problems Nick was having when he was away at college."
Johnson said his mom made the choice easy and she could have been a recruiter the way she talks about the Marine Corps.
"My mother is behind all of us 100 percent," said Johnson. "She loves the Marine Corps and how it has helped her sons sort out their lives."
Johnson made his decision and shipped off for recruit training. After arriving at the airport, he was met by his brother, Lance Cpl. Nick Johnson, supply clerk, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar.
"Nick met me at the airport and walked with me to the United Service Organizations," said Johnson. "He gave me a heads up on what to expect during my boot camp experience and told me what I had to look forward to.
"He told me to learn my knowledge," said Johnson. "He said 'don't let them get you down and always keep your head up.'"
Nick added, "I simply told him to keep his head on tight and sound off like a crazy man. I told him his drill instructors would take notice of his dedication to completing recruit training."
According to Johnson, recruit training was a shock at first but the mental and physical challenges he has endured has made him a better person.
"I strive every day to be as good if not better than my brothers," said Johnson. "Through recruit training, I have strived to perform better than they did while at recruit training."
His senior drill instructor said he knew he would never have a problem with Johnson.
"I knew he wouldn't have a problem pulling through training," said Staff Sgt. Eric Miranda, senior drill instructor, Platoon 1135. "He came from a very well-rounded family and having brothers in the Marine Corps gave him an advantage on the other recruits in the platoon because he knew what to expect."
As with most recruits on graduation day, overwhelming senses of pride and accomplishment have settled in on Johnson.
"I am very proud of him and the steps he has made," said Nick. "From his letters you can tell he is very proud and hasn't even left training yet."
After recruit training, Johnson plans to join his brothers in the aviation field working with electronics.
"I just thought if they can do it, then I can do it," said Johnson. "Both of them are great brothers and role models. I am glad to follow in their lead."