Sgt. Eric H. Fleming Jr., a senior drill instructor

Sgt. Eric H. Fleming Jr., a senior drill instructor with Recruit Processing Company, Support Battalion, welcomes new recruits of Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, and Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, to Parris island, S.C., Sept. 20, 2016. Fleming, 25, is from Durham, N.C. Both companies are scheduled to graduate Dec. 16, 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 males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Vanessa Austin)