Vicksburg’s Braden Calvert Becomes a Marine

Vicksburg’s own Braden Calvert has graduated basic training and is now a member of the United States Marine Corps.

Calvert graduated on the 28th of June, 2024 at Parris Island, South Carolina. Calvert is now a member of 1st Recruitment Training Batalion, Platoon 1036, Alpha Company. Around 300 recruits entered training with Calvert and only 172 were able to complete the rigorous training. “Basic training was more mentally tough than physically tough. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it could be harder.”

On July 9th he will be off to Camp Lejeune for his ITB (Infantry Training Batalion) for three and a half months. From there Calvert will train at Quantico, Virginia to become a Military Security Guard.

Calvert had been planning on joining the military for sometime, “I weighted my options and decided they all paid about the same, but the Marines are more cool.”

Mom Bridget and Dad Michael Calvert traveled to Braden’s graduation in South Carolina last week. “I knew they would make it, that they would figure out how to get there somehow. They have always been supportive.”

Calvert is the son of Bridget and Michael Calvert of Vicksburg and is the big brother of Chasey Calvert.

Calvert encourages other young people in Vicksburg by saying, “Follow whatever dreams you have. That’s what I did.”