Rct. Juan A. Maria-Hernandez, Platoon 1022, Charlie

Rct. Juan A. Maria-Hernandez, Platoon 1022, Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, scrubs his rifle Jan. 20, 2015, during weapon maintenance on Parris Island, S.C. Properly maintained weapons ensure a higher degree of reliability in use. Maria-Hernandez, 23, from Bronx, N.Y., is scheduled to graduate March 6, 2015. 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 Pfc. Vanessa Austin)