In 1974, the Marines and Navy totaled about 2.5 million members, but in 2016, that number fell to about half a million. Today, the Army is the one with the most members, with it alone having half a million members. But still, only 136,000 of 33 million Americans would choose to join the army.

Brendan Bondy, a junior, could be one of the people who choose the military life. Currently enrolled in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC), he’s in a course that tests the limits of those enrolled.

“I love my country and I wanted a way to serve it,” Brendan said. “I had a friend in wrestling who has since moved away (who) convinced me to join. I wanted to join the military as well, I wanted to go to Texas A&M and join the Navy, ROTC, etc..” 

The first thing he did when he joined the USNSCC was recruit training.

“Boot camp you know, so, we’re getting yelled at every day, I went to Sacramento, it was supposed to be at Camp Pendleton but they didn’t have berthing for us there, so they moved us up to Sacramento,” Brendan said. “It’s very rigorous, and especially boot camp, if you can’t get yelled at, I mean, that sucks, you know, you have to pass a PRT, a physical readiness test once you pass the PRT, then you’re allowed to stay at the training, and you have to pass otherwise they kick you out. Again, you definitely learn things.” 

As part of his training, Brendan also spent time in Michigan this summer getting certified in scuba diving and learning other skills. 

 “It was great, we learned not only scuba diving skills, not only that, we had to pass a test,” Brendan said. “It was a lot of work, we really had to cram for it, but we learned seamanship skills as well as line handling, fire procedures, which everyone (who) goes through boot camp also learns, firefighting skills, so it was definitely not some scuba stuff, we learned lots of practical things.” 

With a rank of Petty Officer (PO3), Brendan is now in charge of his own squadron.

“It gives him a chance to improve his leadership skills, which teaches him to balance humility with being in charge,” Brendan’s mother, Melanie Bondy said. “It is also an opportunity for him to assist fellow cadets with their own organization and goal-setting.” 

Brendan’s instructor in the USNSCC program, Sergeant Jeff Treibs praises the junior for his work in the program. 

“I will tell you that he is one of our best cadets if not the best cadet we have,” Treibs said. “He is progressing at the fastest rate possible, as he still needs time in rate, which is usually six months per rank minimum.  As far as the petty officers’ (Brendan) progression through the ranks, as I said, he is probably our best cadet. At every level and every rank he has far exceeded my expectations and has shown to be able to accept responsibility and supervision of any responsibility, we give him. He works not only at the drill but between drills making sure that everything is ready for the next evolution. He is the cadet that we strive to get all cadets to emulate.” 

His involvement in the USNSCC has left a noticeable impact according to his mom. 

 “The USNSCC program has really helped Brendan to mature, become more independent and to be more goal-oriented,” Melanie said. “He has always been a very mature organized person, but I have seen this program guide him even more. The precise rules and times require Brendan to plan ahead and to have things in order. The trainings have taught him many skills to do this. The drills and trainings have also taught him very specific skills, which are helping him to hone his life goals. Overall, I think the USNSCC program has been excellent for Brendan and for our family. It has made us busier, but in a good way, teaching us to be prepared and exposing all of us to new and exciting possibilities and opportunities.”

The USNSCC is about more than military training for Brendan as the experience has helped him make new friends.

“Another thing I love about training is you know, I probably know a good 40 cadets across the country that I didn’t know about before, spread out all over the country,” he said. “I can still keep in touch with them, and their stories and what they’re up too, so that’s really cool, meeting new people like myself.”