Today's graduation ceremony was a landmark for the 417 new Marines of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, and Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. Of those, 12 new Marines also became naturalized U.S. citizens.
Among the new Marines are these distinguished graduates:
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Pfc. Malique Wade – Jefferson, Ga. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1048
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Pvt. Kyler Rasmussen – Daytona Beach, Fla. – High Shooter, Platoon 1048
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Pfc. Nasir Haqq – Philadelphia, Pa. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1049
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Pfc. Anthony Vega – Chelsea, Mass. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1050
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Pfc. Tyler Schuler – Howell, Mich. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1052
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Pvt. Jared Mersino – Owosso, Mich. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 1052
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Pfc. Dylan Tutorow – Crittenden, Ky. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 1053
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Pfc. Tara Broeker – Moscow, Mich. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 4028
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Pfc. Tea Cece – Kapolei, Hawaii – Honor Graduate, Platoon 4029
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Pvt. Mia Cain – Rockford, Ill. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 4029
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Pfc. Lauren Cosman – Calgary, Canada – High Shooter, Platoon 4029
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:
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Pfc. Lui Torreiro – Fort Myers, Fla.
Originally from – Cuba
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Pvt. Henry Cabrera Rojas – Miami, Fla.
Originally from – Cuba
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Pvt. Junior Diaz Garcia – New York, N.Y.
Originally from – Dominican Republic
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Pvt. Rolenzo Whyte – Bronx, N.Y.
Originally from – Jamacia
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Pfc. Seonghyun Kim – Saddlebrook, N.J.
Originally from – South Korea
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Pfc. Gabriela Aleman Sandoval – Orlando, Fla.
Originally from – Honduras
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Pfc. Kyesha Smith – West Palm Beach, Fla.
Originally from – Jamaica
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Pfc. Toritseju Abalo – Baltimore, Md.
Originally from – Nigeria
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Pfc. Marygrace Barros – Bremerton, Wash.
Originally from – Philippines
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Pvt. Sabina Schlichtmann Colichon – Teaneck, N.J.
Originally from – Peru
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Pfc. Candy Tirado – Brooklyn, N.Y.
Originally from – Dominican Republic
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Pfc. Toluaiava Tiumalu – Pago Pago, American Samoa
Originally from – Pago Pago, American Samoa
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.