U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Luis M. Lora gives recruits

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Luis M. Lora gives recruits of Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, orders as they begin their processing Jan. 8, 2018, on Parris Island, S.C. Recruits will join their training company in the next few days for the chance to earn the title Marine. Echo Company is scheduled to graduate April 6, 2018. 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 male recruits and 100 percent of female recruits in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Vanessa Austin)