Today's graduation ceremony was a landmark for the 492 new Marines of Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, and Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. Of those, 14 new Marines also became naturalized U.S. citizens.

Among the new Marines are these distinguished graduates:

 Pfc. Joshua J. Manoi – Palm Coast, Fla. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2016

 Pfc. Joshua R. Green – Harrisburg, Pa. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2017

 Pfc. Maurice F. Johnson – Westbrook, Mass. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2018

 Pfc. Allen M. Gibbs – Arlington, Va. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2020

 Pfc. Carmine D. Marchitto – Secaucus, N.J. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2021

 Pfc. Henry M. Peddle III – Norfolk, Va. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2022

 Pvt. Christopher J. Whitaker – Rincon, Ga. – High Shooter, Platoon 2016

 Pvt. Mateo A. Boykin – Suffolk, Va. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 2021

 Pfc. Justine M. Ramirez – Berwyn, Ill. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 4009

 Pfc. Georgia R. France – Fort Worth, Texas – High Shooter, Platoon 4009

 Pfc. Mackenzie A. Derosa – Staten Island, N.Y. – Honor Graduate/ High PFT/CFT, Platoon 4008

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. Pfc. Akwasi Owusu – Charlotte, N.C.

Originally from – Ghana

 Pvt. Dja Stamsen Leonard – Orlando, Fla.

Originally from – Haiti

 Pfc. Moise Chery – Brooklyn, N.Y.

Originally from – Haiti

 Pvt. Paul O. Motosho – Marlboro, Md.

Originally from – Nigeria

 Pfc. Dickens O. Akech – Harrisburg, Pa.

Originally from – Kenya

 Pvt. Colin J. Brown – Manchester, N.H.

Originally from – Jamaica

 Pvt. Juan Piraguata Ortega – Hamilton, N.J.

Originally from – Colombia

 Pvt. Oshane R. Hill – Hamilton, N.J.

Originally from – Jamaica

 Pvt. Moussa Ba – Miami

Originally from – Burkina Faso

 Pfc. Travys Z. Brown – Beaufort, S.C.

Originally from – Jamaica

 Pvt. Kevin Medina Torres – Beaufort, S.C.

Originally from – Honduras

 Pfc. Megan B. Diaz – Seattle

Originally from – Philippines

 Pvt. Ana Y. Gonzalez Lopez – Miami

Originally from – Cuba

 Pfc. Samantha J. Skinner – Buffalo, N.Y.

Originally from – Canada

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.