Recruits of Platoon 1018, Charlie Company, 1st Recruit

Recruits of Platoon 1018, Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, perform a rifle salute during their initial drill evaluation Feb. 10, 2014, on Parris Island, S.C. During the evaluation, recruits perform a series of precision drill movements, which are graded by drillmasters, experts on the Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual. Close-order drill fosters unit cohesion, for recruits must execute the movements in unison; one recruit who deviates from the rest could negatively affect the platoon’s overall score. The platoons will be evaluated again a week before graduation. Charlie Company is scheduled to graduate April 4, 2014. (Photo by Cpl. Octavia Davis)