Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

Drill instructors from Receiving Company, Support Battalion, instructs a recruit to respond louder during receiving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. Nov. 7 Recruits are required to follow all instructions from drill instructors throughout the course of training. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Bravo Company is scheduled to graduate Feb. 3.

Private First Class Richard A. Lesollen, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, provides security while recruits traverse an obstacle during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. He spent an extra ten months aboard the depot while recovering from a knee injury. Following recruit training, Lesollen will report to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to the Infantry Training Battalion to become an infantryman.

Family, friends and loved ones of Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, cheer on their new Marines during the motivation run at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 3. After the Marines complete the run, they spend the rest of the afternoon with them during on-base liberty. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Delta Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 4

New recruits of Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, are welcomed to the depot as they exit the bus and step onto the yellow footprints during receiving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 7. From this point on, recruits will eat, sleep and train as a team as they begin the transformation from civilian to Marine. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Bravo Company is scheduled to graduate Feb. 3.

Private Alphard V. Reyes, Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, walks with ammunition cans during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 26. Reyes and his family migrated to America, giving him the chance to earn the title of Marine. Following recruit training, Reyes will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

A drill instructor from Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, corrects a recruit during pick up at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 14. In the first hours recruits are with their drill instructors, they learn the rules and regulations of recruit training, covering everything from how to act in the squad bay to how to speak to the drill instructors. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Charlie Company is scheduled to graduate Jan. 6.

A Marine from Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, hugs his loved ones after being released for liberty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 20. This is the first time they have seen their Marines since they arrived at the depot 13 weeks ago. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Echo Company is scheduled to graduate Oct. 21.

Sergeant Jason J. Harrison, drill instructor, Receiving Company, Support Battalion, greets the new recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, during receiving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 19. While recruits are on the depot, they will have drill instructors supervising them every day, everywhere they go. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate Dec. 16.

Recruits from Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, receive their initial haircut at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 12. Recruits receive haircuts immediately after arriving to create uniformity. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Golf Company is scheduled to graduate Dec. 9.

Recruits from Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, maneuver down a 90-foot cable on the Slide for Life obstacle during Confidence Course II at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 13. Halfway through the obstacle, recruits are instructed to change positions while hanging above the pool. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Hotel Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 9.

General Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, observes the confidence course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 12. Neller talked to Brig. Gen. William M. Jurney, commanding general, MCRD San Diego/Western Recruiting Region, and Sgt. Maj. Alex M. Dobson, MCRD San Diego/WRR, and was given a small tour.

Sergeant Yezid M. Beltran, drill instructor, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, corrects a recruit during pick up at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 26. On pick up day, recruits learn the rules of the squad bay and conduct an initial gear inspection to ensure they have the proper gear necessary to begin training. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Mike Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 18.

Recruits from Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, battle each other during Pugil Sticks III at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 23. Before each battle, recruits were paired up by their weight to ensure an even match, so there weren’t any advantages. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Charlie Company is scheduled to graduate Sept. 16.