U.S. Marine Corps Rct. Rafael A. Baredes of Platoon

U.S. Marine Corps Rct. Rafael A. Baredes of Platoon 2084, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, climbs over a wall obstacle Aug. 28, 2017, on Parris Island, S.C. The obstacle course is designed to push the recruits’, like Baredes, 18, from Cape Coral, Fla., physical limits by overcoming various challenges. Hotel Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 3, 2017. 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 49 percent of male recruits and 100 percent of female recruits in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Jacob)