Alex Sebby was born in Southern California, near Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. This area is a desert, and it can get even hotter than 100 degrees during the summer! His mother worked as a social worker, while his father worked in a small local business. He has a younger brother named Max Sebby, who became an officer in the United States Air Force.
Before this happened, Alex’s father had him complete Devil Pups, which is a 10-day program that mixes tough outdoor training with talks about the Marine Corps. When Alex turned 17, just after he finished high school, his father strongly encouraged him to join the United States Marine Corps. This turn of events was the start of his journey in the military.
Early Days of Service
After attending Minot High School in North Dakota, Alex Sebby attended the University Of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media and a Master’s degree in Journalism.
During his summer breaks, he worked on a farm in Nebraska, helping to bail hay. His first real job was as a dishwasher at a restaurant in Minot, North Dakota, where Alex earned $4.25 an hour.
When he was 17, he went to boot camp at MCRD in San Diego, California. Alex Sebby then did a month of Combat Training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
After that, he went to Combat Illustrator school at DINFOS, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
Choosing the Marine Corps
Alex chose the U.S. Marine Corps because he thought it would be the most challenging. He was selected to become a 4611 – Combat Illustrator after his artistic portfolio was reviewed by Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. He then went through the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Minot, North Dakota, and flew to San Diego, California, to start basic training.
After completing the Crucible at USMC boot camp, one of his most memorable moments was getting his EGA (Eagle Globe and Anchor).
Alex Sebby on Endurance
The hardest part of USMC training for him was carrying fifty pounds of equipment or more for 12-15 miles during MCT or Marine Combat Training. He never gave up and even helped other Marines who were struggling. Moreover, Alex was meritoriously promoted to PFC or Private First Class for being the scribe at Marine Corps boot camp. The highest rank he reached on active duty was E3 or LCpl. 4611 – Combat Illustrator promotions do not come easily, as it is one of the smallest occupational fields in the U.S. military.
Alex Sebby and Service During Wartime
He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ, on September 11th, 2001. Furthermore, He remembers being stop-lossed and watching Operation Shock and Awe on TV while on active duty in the chow hall and seeing U.S. President George W. Bush declare the “end of major combat operations” in his Mission Accomplished speech in 2003.
Alex was honorably discharged in July of 2003. He has helped many friends with PTSD during school breaks and has been working to assist U.S. Veterans for the past 10 years while working for the Federal Government.
Reflection and Dedication of Alex Sebby
Alex is mostly grateful for his four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Although not directly connected to the Iraq War, his brother was medically discharged with a traumatic brain injury from the U.S. Air Force in 2006. In part, this is why Alex is 100% dedicated to helping all U.S. Veterans, which has led him to spend years of his life working on the WordsOfVeterans.com website.
Enduring Bonds: Love, Grief, and Resilience
Moreover, Alex deeply cares for his younger brother, Max Sebby. Watching his brother’s health deteriorate over the past 10 years has been by far the most difficult thing Alex has ever experienced.
Grief is very real. Anyone who is going through it knows that it’s a process that includes denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. There’s no clear step-by-step way to go through it, and it comes in waves, sometimes unexpectedly.
“I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary to the public good becomes honorable by being necessary.” – Nathan Hale
