Today's graduation ceremony was a landmark for the 516 new Marines of Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. Of those, 16 new Marines also became naturalized U.S. citizens.

Among the new Marines are these distinguished graduates:

• Pfc. Dustin T. Jordan – Manchester, Ga. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1000

• Pfc. Kamarri E. Jones – Bessemer, Ala. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1001

• Pfc. John W. Killingsworth – Calera, Ala. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1002

• Pfc. Andy P. Nguyen – Boston, Mass. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1004

• Pfc. Vincent M. Bolduc – Manchester, Conn. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1005

• Pfc. Richard L. Bowen – Huntsville, Ala. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1006

• Pfc. Ryan E. Long – Richmond, Ky. – High Shooter, Platoon 1005

• Pfc. Damon K. Ellispalmer – Lansing, Mich. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 1000

   

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:

• Pfc. Conroy R. Facey – Atlanta

  Originally from – Jamaica

• Pvt. Daniel E. Bejaran – Lewis Center, Ohio

  Originally from – El Salvador

• Pfc. Luis A. Alban Lacau – Lake Mary, Fla.

  Originally from – Venezuela

• Pvt. Jesus A. Jaramillo Acosta – Pompano Beach, Fla.

  Originally from – Colombia

• Pfc. Kayson I. Montgomery – Margate, Fla.

  Originally from – Jamaica

• Pvt. Meiseah R. Wee Ellis – West Palm Beach, Fla.

  Originally from – Jamaica

• Pvt. Jovonne D. Jones – Orlando, Fla.

  Originally from – Jamaica

• Pfc. Xavier Emmanuel R. Alba – Woodbridge, Va.

  Originally from – Philippines

• Pvt. Binh T. Nguyen – Nashville, Tenn.

  Originally from – Vietnam

• Pvt. Andres Hungqin – Brooklyn, N.Y.

  Originally from – Venezuela

• Pfc. Christopher Rodriguez – Owensboro, Ky.

  Originally from – Micronesia

• Pvt. Jemoy L. James – Mary Esther, Fla.

  Originally from – Jamaica

• Pfc. Pasha V. Hakim – Clearwater, Fla.

  Originally from – Philippines

• Pvt. Anudamodaran Kumarakurup – New Hyde Park, N.Y.

  Originally from – India

• Pvt. Kiki R. Mais – Brunswick, Ga.

  Originally from – Jamaica

• Pvt. Jose E. Medina Esperanza – Freeport, N.Y.

  Originally from – El Salvador

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.