MICHIGAMME — Rebecca Ryan, 17, of Michigamme, graduated from US Marine Corps basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina on May 21.

After advanced infantry skills training, she will transfer to the US Naval Reserve in order to enter the United States Merchant Marine Academy Class of 2025 at Kings Point, New York.

Rebecca attended Aspen Ridge Elementary and Middle schools before her family was transferred away from Marquette County to military postings across Europe and Asia.

As a Michigan resident, she earned a nomination to USMMA from Rep. Jack Bergman in 2020 (MI District 1, Rep) and received her appointment to the academy this March while still completing Marine Corps recruit training.

Rebecca was the Marquette County winner at the 2015 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee and also took part in band and track at Aspen Ridge School. She later participated in basketball, track, tennis, rowing, martial arts, and SCUBA and was an officer in JROTC at Department of Defense international high schools.

Rebecca also earned Delegation for Girls State in Nevada and completed an international high school exchange to Japan in 2018. She enrolled in an accelerated school program while in distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic, graduating high school early with a 4.0 GPA in December 2020, whereupon she immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps and departed for Parris Island.

While at Marine Corps recruit training, she earned the Expert Rifle Medal for shooting in the highest category possible, the National Defense Medal, earned the maximum possible score on the USMC Combat Fitness Test, and was promoted to Private First Class.

At 17 years and 4 months, she was the youngest Marine in her training regiment. She was recruited to USMMA for rowing and sailing, and intends to run cross country as well.

Rebecca will be inducted into USMMA on July and aspires to earn a commission as a lieutenant in the US Marine Corps when she graduates from the academy.