Sgt. Nicholas Bass, a primary marksmanship instructor,

Sgt. Nicholas Bass, a primary marksmanship instructor, answers questions from Platoon 4007, Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, about their firing positions Jan. 15, 2014, on Parris Island, S.C. For five days, PMIs teach recruits the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship, firing positions, weapons safety and rifle range procedures before the recruits fire live rounds the following week. Bass, 26, is from Sarasota, Fla. Papa Company is scheduled to graduate Feb. 28, 2014. 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 Cpl. Caitlin Brink)