Olvera, a combat videographer with Combat Camera, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, was a freshman in high school when he met his best friend in a video class. They fell in love with video and film and from there on out, took a camera everywhere they went. It was in that class they were told by their teacher they would never amount to anything, and they vowed they would pursue what they loved and prove anyone who doubted them wrong.

After high school, Olvera’s best friend went the college route to pursue a degree in video production. But Olvera needed more of a challenge to kick off his video career. He explored other options besides college, but nothing jumped out at him with the adrenaline rush he desired.

Olvera knew a few of his classmates who joined the military, but he was convinced he would never join. One day, he sat down and really thought about the military as an option. That same day, Olvera went to the recruiter’s office and enlisted in the Marine Corps where he would become a combat videographer.

The Marine Corps has done much more than just make Olvera a combat videographer. He’s become a leader of Marines, a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, an active member of the Single Marine Program and a volunteer soccer coach for the Marine Corps Community Services Youth Sport Program.

Olvera’s drive and determination has not only allowed himself to be successful, but help other Marines succeed as well.

“I always strive to be the best at everything I do and encourage my Marines to do the same,” Olvera said. “Encouraging them to set their standards high is important because the Marine Corps is the best and expects only the best.”

Olvera began wrestling in third grade and continued throughout his high school career. MCMAP is equal, next to videography, on the list of what he loves.

“I love to grapple, destroy my body and challenge anyone who’s willing,” said Olvera. “I would do MCMAP training all day, every day if I could.”

While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Olvera went through an excruciating two-week Martial Arts Instructor Course to become a green belt instructor. He’s successfully trained more than 45 Marines from tan belt to gray belt and more than 30 Marines from gray belt to green belt. Olvera is currently working towards his brown belt and eventually hopes to go to the Martial Arts Center of Excellence at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., to become a MCMAP instructor trainer.

Gunnery Sgt. LeFonz Clark, company gunnery sergeant, B Company, Headquarters and Service Bn., was Olvera’s senior drill instructor at recruit training.

Like all recruits, Olvera needed a little extra “incentive training” in the beginning, but quickly learned the ways of boot camp, Clark said.

“From week one to week two of recruit training, you get a sixth sense about each recruit and what path they will head down when they reach the fleet,” said Clark. “Corporal Olvera was the recruit that took on much responsibility and accomplished tasks he was given very expediently.”

“When I first saw Corporal Olvera and realized he had earned the rank of corporal, I knew the discipline still remains within,” Clark said. “He has grown tremendously in many aspects as a leader of junior Marines and he’s always willing to take on any challenge presented to him.”

When he’s not working or training Marines in MCMAP, Olvera can be found volunteering his time as his unit’s SMP representative or coaching his youth soccer team, the Habu Heat.

“I take my billet as the SMP representative in high regard,” said Olvera. “It gives me the opportunity to voice the opinion for the Marines, help their quality of life, have fun, and also see the island.”

“I love coaching soccer,” Olvera said. “The kids are great and in a way, it’s a great opportunity to prepare me for when I have kids.”

Olvera plans on staying in the Corps for at least one more enlistment and is considering an officer’s commission through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program or becoming a drill instructor.

“Being a Marine is an experience very few people can say they’ve done,” said Olvera. “For me, it’s the challenge and adrenaline rush I was looking for and a stepping ground for my ultimate goal of starting a production company.”

He’s currently preparing for a permanent change of station to 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he hopes to deploy to Afghanistan.

“Corporal Olvera is a fine example of what a Marine should be,” said Clark. “The dedication and motivation that he possesses is contagious, and other Marines should take notice and follow suit.”

Olvera said his decision to join the Corps has taken him above and beyond what he ever expected.

“The Corps has been great to me,” Olvera said. “I’m not only doing what I love to do, but I’m taking footage of history, and it’s an awesome thing to be a part of.”