Rct. Justin A. Velez, Platoon 3048, Lima Company,

Rct. Justin A. Velez, Platoon 3048, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, does pushups April 27, 2016, on Parris Island, S.C. Velez, 19, from Lakeland, Fla., is scheduled to graduate July 8, 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)