Parris Island makes Marines, naturalized US citizens

PARRIS ISLAND, S. C. --

Today's graduation ceremony was a landmark for the 493 new Marines of Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. Of those, six new Marines also became naturalized U.S. citizens.

Among the new Marines are these distinguished graduates:

Pfc. John A. Robitschek - Marshville, N.C. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 3080
Pfc. Bryan A. Franco - South Glens Falls, N.Y. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 3081
Pfc. Nicholas L. Kaufman - Key Largo, Fla. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 3082
Pfc. William G. Mckoy III - Joppa, Md. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 3084
Pfc. Brent A. Murphy - Elizabethtown, Ky. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 3085
Pfc. Daniel A. Bober - Laguna Beach, Calif. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 3086
Pfc. Patrick S. Moody - Charlestown, Neb. - High Shooter, Platoon 3085
Pfc. Charles E. Anderson - Southampton, Pa. - High PFT/CFT, Platoon 3086

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. Shohruh Rahmatov - Queens, N.Y.
Pvt. Tyreek Braithwaite - Brooklyn, N.Y.
Pvt. Victor F. Garayescalante - Ashburn, Va.
Pfc. Lucas Cano - Hialeah, Fla.
Pfc. Antonio M. Pareras - Hialeah, Fla.
Pvt. Shum C. Wuchen - Brooklyn, N.Y.

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 can be found at: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCRD-PI.