Photos

Sgt. George Caldwell, a drill instructor, waits for the new recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, to step through the silver doors of the receiving building, symbolizing their transition from civilian to Marine Corps recruits Aug. 26, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C. Caldwell, 25, from Beckley, W.Va., is one of a handful of drill instructors responsible for preparing new recruits for training. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

Sgt. George Caldwell, a drill instructor, beckons new recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, through the silver doors and into the receiving building Aug. 26, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C. Stepping through the doors symbolizes the transition from civilians to recruits and the beginning of their transformation into United States Marines. Caldwell, 25, from Beckley, W.Va., is one of a handful of drill instructors responsible for preparing new recruits for training. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

Staff Sgt. Carlos Vargas, a senior drill instructor, issues orders to recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, shortly after their arrival to Parris Island, S.C., on Aug. 26, 2013. Recruits learn from the moment they step on the yellow footprints that they are expected to move with speed and intensity and to respond to all commands loudly and confidently. Vargas, 28, from Longmont, Colo., is one of a handful of drill instructors responsible for preparing new recruits for training. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

Staff Sgt. Carlos Vargas, a senior drill instructor, commands future recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, to step off the bus and onto the yellow footprints Aug. 26, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C. The first stressful night comes as a shock for most as they deal with sleep deprivation, new rules and ferocious drill instructors. Vargas, 28, from Longmont, Colo., is one of a handful of drill instructors responsible for preparing new recruits for training. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

Drill instructors lead new recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, through their first night of Marine Corps recruit training Aug. 26, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C. The first stressful night comes as a shock for most as they deal with sleep deprivation, new rules and ferocious drill instructors. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

New recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, hold up identification cards as they begin their in-processing shortly after arriving on Parris Island, S.C., on Aug. 26, 2013. The recruits spent the night completing paperwork and receiving haircuts and new gear in preparation for the next 13 weeks. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

Rct. Terence Goodman, Platoon 3089, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, responds to one of the many orders he will receive with on Parris Island, S.C., during his first night of training Aug. 26, 2013. Recruits learn from the moment they step on the yellow footprints that they are expected to move with speed and intensity and to respond to all commands loudly and confidently. Goodman, 24, from Baltimore, is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink

Recruits of Platoon 2065, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, march in formation at the company’s final drill evaluation Aug. 21, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C. Close-order drill is a key part of Marine Corps recruit training because it develops discipline, confidence, teamwork and respect for authority. Platoon 2065 is led by Sgt. Edward Sortino, 25, grew up on Parris Island. Golf Company is scheduled to graduate Aug. 30, 2013. Approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent for females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Lance Cpl. David Bessey)

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Bessey

New Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, run under the “We Make Marines” sign during a traditional motivational run through the streets of Parris Island, S.C., on Aug 15, 2013. The run took place before the new Marines had a few hours to reunite with their friends and families for the first time in more than 12 weeks. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Aug. 16, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent for females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl.Caitlin Brink

Rct. Nathan Dix, a 19-year-old native of Pemberville, Ohio, is currently training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., in hopes of earning the title of United States Marine. Dix is training with Platoon 3074, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and is scheduled to graduate Oct. 6, 2013. “I decided to join the Marine Corps because the Marine Corps offered a challenge that none of the other branches could offer me. The Marine Corps is respected and well known throughout the world, and anyone who wanted to be the best will join. I joined the military because … I wanted to fight for a cause that I believe in,” said Dix, who graduated from Eastwood High School in Luckey, Ohio, in 2011. Approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent for females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

Photo by Cpl.Caitlin Brink

$Sgt. Joseph Ramey, a drill instructor with Platoon 3078, conducts an incentive training session with recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, on July 24, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C. Drill instructors such as Ramey, 24, from Liberty, Ind., use these sessions to instill discipline and motivation in recruits while correcting minor disciplinary infractions. Mike Company is scheduled to graduate Oct. 4, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for 50 percent of males and 100 percent for females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)$