Today's graduation ceremony was a landmark for the 668 new Marines of Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, and Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. Of those, 13 new Marines also became naturalized U.S. citizens.

Among the new Marines are these distinguished graduates:
• Pfc. Trevor Anderson – Harrisville, Pa. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2072
• Pfc. Oshea Alexander – Brooklyn, N.Y. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2073
• Pfc. Kevin Ryan – Dorchester, Mass. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2074
• Pfc. Phong Pham – Lorton, Va. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2076
• Pfc. Thomas DiGiovanni Jr. – Stewartsville, N.J. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2077
• Pfc. James Garand – Punta Gorda, Fla. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 2078
• Lance Cpl. Shantell Gonzalez – Miami, Fla. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 4034
• Pfc. Lydia Borrasso – Fort Bragg, Calif. – Honor Graduate, Platoon 4035
• Pfc. Rutnier Nodarseconsuegra – Hialeah, Fla. – High Shooter, Platoon 2076
• Pfc. Anika Garnett – Gordon, Ala. – High Shooter, Platoon 4034
• Pfc. Phoenix Paulin – Lake Odessa, Mich. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 2078 
• Pfc. Alison Davis – Kingsport, Tenn. – High PFT/CFT, Platoon 4034

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. Oshea Alexander – Brooklyn, N.Y 
Originally from – Trinidad and Tobago
• Pfc. Horace McKenzie– Bronx, N.Y.
Originally from – Jamaica
• Pvt. Poleth Nava Cuevas – Long Beach, Calif.
Originally from – Mexico
• Pvt. Osvaldo Ariasmura – Milford, Del.
Originally from – Dominican Republic
• Pvt. Pablo Conde –Bridgeport, Conn.
Originally from – Brazil
• Pvt. Ryan Hikel – Queens, N.Y.
Originally from – Guyana
• Pfc. Tobias Johnson – Melbourne, Fla.
Originally from – United Kingdom
• Pfc. Hoggy Ngounou – Baltimore, Md.
Originally from – Cameroon
• Pvt. Rutnier Nodarse – Miami
Originally from – Cuba
• Pfc. Jose Pontinella – Sebring, Fla.
Originally from – Phillipines
• Pfc. Jhoan Pupialesvasco – Charlotte, N.C.
Originally from – Colombia
• Pfc. Ryan Ramroop – Bronx. N.Y.
Originally from – Guyana
• Pvt. Ovaughn Dixon – Bronx. N.Y.
Originally from – Jamaica



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 200 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.