Videos

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Quaylain D. Brown currently serves as a drill instructor with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. On July 26, 2017, Brown received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his part in the saving the life of a recruit. While consuming food on July 24, 2017, a recruit began choking on his food, Brown saw the recruit struggling to breath and performed the Heimlich Maneuver to clear the blockage in his throat, allowing the recruit to recover. Brown joined the Marine Corps in 2011. “I wanted to become a drill instructor because I always wanted to be involved directly and influence the future of the Marines Corps,” said Brown, a 29-year-old native of Abbeville, La. “What better way to do that than to become a drill instructor.” About 600 Marine Corps drill instructors shape the approximately 19,000 recruits who come to Parris Island annually into basic United States Marines. 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. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Joseph Jacob)

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – Recruit Depot Parris Island opens its gates to the public during a 4th of July celebration. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Joseph Jacob)

Recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, visited the Parris Island Museum to learn about the history of the Marine Corps and the recruit training depot June 24, 2017, on Parris Island, S.C. The recruits learned about various wars, conflicts and missions that Marines have been involved in as well as Parris Island’s long and colorful history. Both companies are scheduled to graduate July 28, 2017. (Video by Lance Cpl. Joseph Jacob)

Recruits of Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, and November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, tested their agility during a combat fitness test June 17, 2017, on Parris Island, S.C. The CFT is one of two fitness tests recruits must pass during their transformation into United States Marines. The three-part assessment gauges the recruits’ strength, stamina, agility and coordination. Both companies are scheduled to graduate July 14, 2017. (Video by Lance Cpl. Joseph Jacob)

Recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, made their way to the top of a 47-foot tower for rappel training June 6, 2017, on Parris Island, S.C. The training mimics descending from a helicopter skid or a building using a rope and harness. Both companies are scheduled to graduate July 28, 2017. (Video by Lance Cpl. Joseph Jacob)

Parris Island’s Centennial Celebration ended with the Battle Colors Ceremony Oct. 16, 2015. The U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and Silent Drill Platoon, both based at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., performed to Marines and civilians participating in the depots Centennial Celebration. The U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps played a variety of modern and traditional marching music. The Silent Drill Platoon executed nearly 15 minutes of unique drill movements without verbal commands.

A humble yet decorated Vietnam War hero and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island veteran died Jan. 17, 2014, at his home in Beaufort, S.C., just down the road from the base where he spent much of his career training future Marines. Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty III, 73, retired as a captain in 1976 and stayed in the local area. He was born Jan. 21, 1940, in Boston, and initially enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in February 1957. McGinty later enlisted in the active-duty Marine Corps in March 1958. McGinty completed recruit training with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion on Parris Island. He would later return in 1962 as a drill instructor with 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. In July 1966, McGinty served in Vietnam with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. His platoon was assigned to provide rear security to protect the withdrawl of the battalion whose position had been under attack for the previous three days. McGinty's heroism helped repel a regiment-sized enemy force and saved countless American service members. "I don't think I'm a hero," McGinty said in an interview. "I thought a hero's somebody who's supposed to save lives; we killed 'em. We did what we were supposed to do. I'm proud of the platoon." His actions in the Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam earned him America's top military honor. "If it were me alone, I probably wouldn't give a damn. But I wear this thing for that platoon," McGinty said of the Medal of Honor he wore. After returning from Vietnam, McGinty served another tour on Parris Island as a drill instructor and, after his promotion to second lieutenant, a series officer with 1st Recruit Training Battalion. McGinty's funeral will be held Jan. 23, 2014, at 1 p.m. at the Beaufort National Cemetery. (Video by: Cpl. Jennifer Schubert and MCRD Parris Island Combat Camera) (Photo by: courtesy copy) (Story by: Staff Sgt. Gregory Thomas)