Today's graduation ceremony was a landmark for the 510 new Marines of Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, and 118 new Marines of Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. Of those, 17 new Marines also became naturalized U.S. citizens.

The graduation for the new Marines of Golf and Oscar Companies occurred a little later in the afternoon than usual to allow more time for family members to arrive safely at Parris Island after Hurricane Matthew.

Among the new Marines are these distinguished graduates:

• Pfc. William K. Freeman - Elkin, N.C. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 2072
• Pfc. Daniel James Z. Santamaria - Kissimmee, Fla. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 2073
• Pfc. Rony Rochezapata - Panama City, Fla. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 2074
• Pfc. John L. Cashwell - Washington, D.C. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 2076
• Pfc. Kyle K. Peterkin - Bronx, N.Y. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 2077
• Pfc. Mark L. Puffer - Groton, Vt. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 2078
• Pfc. Hunter D. Webb - McColl, S.C. - High Shooter, Platoon 2072
• Pfc. Thomas W. Eaton - Wadsworth, Ohio - High PFT/CFT, Platoon 2076
• Pfc. Alexey M. Lemaire - Maurice, La. - Honor Graduate, Platoon 4037
• Pvt. Amy N. Paz - Forest Park, Ga. - High Shooter, Platoon 4036
• Pfc. Anne E. Lyman - Traverse City, Mich. - Honor Graduate/ High PFT/CFT, Platoon 4036

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:

• Pvt. Miguel A. Espinal - Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Originally from - Dominican Republic
• Pvt. Jefferson Pereira - East Providence, R.I.
Originally from - Brazil
• Pvt. Careem H. Webster - Brooklyn, N.Y.
Originally from - Guyana
• Pvt. Victor D. Ordonezmaya - New York
Originally from - Mexico
• Pvt. Ingoo Kang - Plainview, N.Y.
Originally from - South Korea
• Pfc. Joe R. Okal - Raleigh, N.C.
Originally from - Kenya
• Pvt. Rony Rochezapata - Panama City, Fla.
Originally from - Dominican Republic
• Pvt. Daniel James Z. Santamaria - Kissimmee, Fla.
Originally from - Philippines
• Pvt. Juan P. Alcantara - Tamarac, Fla.
Originally from - Venezuela
• Pfc. Anthony I. Fuelramos - Miami
Originally from - Ecuador
• Pfc. Tu Lan - Lehigh Acres, Fla.
Originally from - China
• Pvt. Griseld Xhengo - St. Augustine, Fla.
Originally from - Albania
• Pfc. Truc T. Le - Manassas, Va.
Originally from - Germany
• Pvt. Anastasiya A. Kravchuk - Cleveland
Originally from - Uzbekistan
• Pvt. Aminat O. Onipede - Douglasville, Ga.
Originally from - Nigeria
• Pvt. Arelly A. Ariaspalestina - San Francisco
Originally from - Mexico
• Pfc. Piala Jasper - Hampton, Va.
Originally from - Philippines

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.