Sgt. Patrick Ays, an academic instructor, teaches Marine

Sgt. Patrick Ays, an academic instructor, teaches Marine Corps history to the recruits of Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, on Oct. 30, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C. Recruits receive six history classes, ranging from the Marine Corps’ founding in 1775 to its current operations. Ays is a 25-year-old native of Jacksonville, N.C. Hotel Company is scheduled to graduate Jan. 10, 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 Pfc. Vaniah Temple)