Family members tightly embrace their new Marine of

Family members tightly embrace their new Marine of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, following the Family Day ceremony Jan. 23, 2014, on Parris Island, S.C. The Marines spent nearly three months away from their loved ones as they trained to earn their places in the Corps. Alpha Company graduated Jan. 24, 2014. 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. Octavia Davis)