{"id":31809,"date":"2023-09-08T21:11:32","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T21:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/09\/08\/4-foot-7-inch-marine-says-peers-in-boot-camp-kind-of-looked-up-to-him\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T21:11:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T21:11:01","slug":"4-foot-7-inch-marine-says-peers-in-boot-camp-kind-of-looked-up-to-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2023\/09\/08\/4-foot-7-inch-marine-says-peers-in-boot-camp-kind-of-looked-up-to-him\/","title":{"rendered":"4-foot-7-inch Marine says peers in boot camp \u2018kind of looked up to\u2019 him"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A 4-foot-7-inch man completed Marine boot camp<\/a> in September, possibly making him the shortest U.S. service member ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pfc. Nathaniel Laprade graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, on Sept. 1, as the Marine chosen to carry the guidon<\/a> representing his entire series, according to a Marine Corps news release Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a teen, Laprade joined his high school\u2019s Army JROTC program. But he said he was pulled toward the Marine Corps because it offered the \u201csnap precision\u201d his program instructor, retired Army 1st Sgt. Thomas Gent, instilled in his students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne day in the cafeteria there was a Marine recruiter standing there and his uniform was perfect, no flaws no nothing,\u201d Laprade said in the release. \u201cYou just felt something<\/a>, stood there, strong and disciplined, a solid statue of determination of honor, courage and commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t