New Marines of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training

New Marines of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, and Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, run under the iconic “We Make Marines” sign during a motivational run through the streets of Parris Island, S.C., April 14, 2016. 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. Both companies are scheduled to graduate April 15, 2016. 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. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Bolser)