After six months of intense training, 14 men and one woman who make up the 24th Fire Cycle will graduate this Saturday — ready to serve and protect as the island’s newest firefighters.

15 recruits. Six months of grueling training. One shared goal — to earn the badge and title of firefighter with the Guam Fire Department. Recruit Adrian Herrera said, "During the training it gets really tough and there's a thing the cadre would say, is to remember your why. And my why is to help my family and the island of Guam because the island has helped me a lot."

For many, their why comes from personal experiences — like Recruit Brent San Nicolas, who found his calling in moments of fear and faith. "A big part was my father he was in and out of the hospital and every time the fire department showed up, there was a sense of security and a sense of hope, and i wanted to give that back," he said.

From early morning PT to late-night lessons, the 24th Cycle forged their resilience through sweat, exhaustion — and what one recruit calls “trauma bonding.” "Through all the hardships, faced all the long runs, all the teeth biting, we're definitely a family now," said Recruit Logan Concepcion.

That bond, says Recruit Ethaniel Escuadra, will carry them beyond the academy. "Whether it be waking up early in the morning, during out physical training to classroom time, making sure our uniforms are squared away, just them installing their morals and values in us, really changed my perspective in life."

For the cadre who shaped them — like Captain Joe Sablan, who’s led four academies — graduation isn’t the finish line. It’s just the beginning. "Now the real work begins. So be true to yourself, be humble, seek help, seek advice, put your best foot forward and be positive all the time share wth your crew, share with your family, with what's been happening and how youre progressing and should you need help, the Guam Fire Department will be ready to assist you," he said.

This Saturday, these 15 new firefighters will cross the stage — not just as graduates, but as guardians of the island they call home.