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Pair of Huntington women graduate Marine Corps basic at Parris Island

PFC Emily Paulette (left) and PVT Alyssa Aldred, both of Huntington, graduated from United States Marine Corps recruit training on March 8. Paulette and Aldred’s training occurred in Parris Island, SC.
PFC Emily Paulette (left) and PVT Alyssa Aldred, both of Huntington, graduated from United States Marine Corps recruit training on March 8. Paulette and Aldred’s training occurred in Parris Island, SC. Photo by Steve Clark.

Alyssa Aldred and Emily Paulette, both of Huntington, graduated from United States Marine Corps recruit training in Parris Island, SC, on March 8.

Paulette, a private first class, is the daughter of Tony and Kelly Poff. Aldred, a private, is the daughter of Angel Bechtel. Paulette is a 2018 graduate of Huntington North High School while Aldred is a 2016 graduate.

While the training experience was a rigorous one, Paulette says she’s a better person for having gone through it.

“There’s a lot of challenges, as you would think with going through boot camp, but it’s a good challenge,” she says. “It’s a healthy challenge. It makes you improve yourself mentally, physically and spiritually.

“I thought it was amazing; it was a great thing to go through.”
Aldred also encountered challenges, but says she persevered through them.

“There (were) days I wanted to quit, but I was like, ‘I’ve worked too hard for this,’” she says. “So, I pushed through and I made it.”

Up next for Aldred and Paulette is a trip to San Diego, CA, where they will engage in Marine Corps training. After that, Aldred will depart for Camp Johnson, NC, while Paulette will head to the Naval School of Music, in Virginia Beach, VA.