Today's graduation ceremony was a landmark for the 209 new Marines of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.

Among the new Marines are these distinguished graduates:

• Pfc. Richard Williams II – Marietta, Ga. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3048

• Pfc. Brantley Smith – Chattanooga, Tenn. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3049

• Pfc. Trabien Townson – Cullman, Ala. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3050

• Pfc. Andrew Bailey – Erie, Pa. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3052

• Pfc. Anthony Neubauer – Dowagiac, Mich – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3053

• Pfc. Kalik Battle – Shreveport, La. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3054

• Pvt. David Portillo – East Meadow, N.Y. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 3048

• Pvt. Tra Bien Townson – Collman, Ala. – High Shooter, Platoon 3050

   

Each new Marine persevered through 70 training days while passing each of the seven graduation requirements.

Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 19,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 12 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for approximately 49 percent of male recruits and 100 percent of female recruits in the Marine Corps.

High resolution photos of the distinguished graduates can be downloaded for free at the following link: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCRD–PI.