Rct. Terence Goodman, Platoon 3089, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, responds to one of the many orders he will receive with on Parris Island, S.C., during his first night of training Aug. 26, 2013. Recruits learn from the moment they step on the yellow footprints that they are expected to move with speed and intensity and to respond to all commands loudly and confidently. Goodman, 24, from Baltimore, is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

Photo Gallery: Marine recruits survive first night on Parris Island

16 Sep 2013 | Story by Cpl. Caitlin Brink Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. --

Young men from across the eastern United States stepped on Parris Island’s legendary yellow footprints Aug. 26, 2013, to begin their journey to the title of United States Marine.

Vehicles loaded with soon-to-be recruits began arriving at Parris Island’s receiving building at 6 p.m., and continued to trickle in throughout the next few days. The first night comes as a shock for most as they deal with stress, sleep deprivation, new rules and ferocious drill instructors. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013.