Today's graduation ceremony was a landmark for the 440 new Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and the 119 new Marines of Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. Of those, 19 new Marines also became naturalized U.S. citizens.

Among the new Marines are these distinguished graduates:

• Pfc. Brandon E. Torres – Bayonne, N.J. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3000

• Pfc. Jordan T. Belyea – Swansboro, N.C. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3001

• Pfc. Zhanir A. Ramirez – Jersey City, N.J. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3002

• Pfc. Ousman N.  Secka – Louisville, Ky. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3004

• Pfc. Dimetri C. Santoro – Latham, N.Y. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3005

• Pfc. Noah A.  Worley – Duncansville, Pa.  – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3006

• Pfc. Natalie D. Roe – Angola, Ind. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 4002

• Pfc. Kaylee A. Rogers – Terrebonne, Ore. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 4003

• Pvt. Marco C. Valenzuela – La Grange, Ky.  – Honor Graduate, Platoon 3006

• Pvt. Morgan R. Meadows – Cool Ridge, W.Va. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 4002

• Pvt. Michael A. Quinlan – Hopkinsville, Ky. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 3002

• Pvt. Irene L. Nicholson – Columbia, S.C. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 4002

   

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

Additionally, before earning citizenship, applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the English language and American government, show good moral character and take the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. Constitution.

Those new Marines who also earned U.S. citizenship are:

• Pvt. Humberto Alaniz – McDonough, Ga.

  Originally from – Mexico

• Pfc. Carld H. Auguste – Jacksonville, Fla.

  Originally from – Haiti

• Pvt.  Jeronimo A. Baltazar Juan – Trion, Ga.

  Originally from – Guatemala

• Pfc. Christian A. Cruz Paez – Orlando, Fla.

  Originally from – Dominican Republic

• Pvt. Tania E. Dominguez Reyes – Belle Glade, Fla.

  Originally from – Mexico

• Pvt. Enrique Guzman Mejia – Anderson, S.C.

  Originally from – Mexico

• Pfc. Maalik A. Hamlet – North Brunswick, N.J.

  Originally from – Trinidad & Tobago

• Pvt. Shakir A. Lawrence – Orlando, Fla.

  Originally from – Jamaica

• Pvt. Jennifer Martinez – Cleburne, Texas

  Originally from – Mexico

• Pfc. Luis A. Mendoza Mandujano – Immokalee, Fla.

  Originally from – Mexico

• Pfc. Paula A. Noakes – Throop, Pa.

  Originally from – Colombia

• Pvt. Bianca P. Oliveira – Kearny, N.J.

  Originally from – Brazil

• Pfc. Phat D. Phan – Beaver, Pa.

  Originally from – Vietnam

• Pvt. Kreatiyot Phojaroen – Portland, Maine

  Originally from – Thailand

• Pvt. Maricruz Riosvazquez – Mission, Texas

  Originally from – Mexico

• Pfc. Ousman Secka – Louisville, Ky.

  Originally from – Gambia

• Pfc. Kiefer R. Suau Ulloa – Miami, Fla.

  Originally from – Cuba

• Pfc. Bennet K. Amoah – Brentwood, N.Y.

  Originally from – Ghana

   

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 and new Marines who earned their U.S. citizenship can be downloaded for free at the following link: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCRD- PI.