Wattay was a varsity football player at Wando earning "All Lowcountry honors as a tight end. After graduating from Wando this past June, he entered the United States Marines and began his basic training. During his short tenure at Parris Island, PFC Wattay served as the platoon guide, responsible for several leadership duties while in training.
On Sept. 4, Private First-Class Wattay graduated as the platoon "Honor Graduate" having achieved the highest overall score in his training unit for basic Marine Warrior skills including marksmanship, physical fitness, martial arts and tactical knowledge.
His next duty station will be Camp Gieger, North Carolina where he will attend the Marine Corps "School of Infantry". In this phase of training, PFC Wattay will receive advanced combat skills training before being assigned to a Fleet Marine Force unit.