A recruit of Delta Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, conducts a fireman’s carry with another recruit during the Combat Fitness Test at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 9. The maneuver under fire is a course that covers 75 yards and also requires recruits to perform exercises such as sprints, ammunition can carries and throwing a simulated grenade at a marked target. Recruits were timed as they ran through the course and needed to finish it in less than 2 minutes and 14 seconds to receive 100 points. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Delta Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 13. - A recruit of Delta Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, conducts a fireman’s carry with another recruit during the Combat Fitness Test at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 9. The maneuver under fire is a course that covers 75 yards and also requires recruits to perform exercises such as sprints, ammunition can carries and throwing a simulated grenade at a marked target. Recruits were timed as they ran through the course and needed to finish it in less than 2 minutes and 14 seconds to receive 100 points. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Delta Company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 13.

Private Chris M. Gitau, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, provides security for his squad during the Crucible 12 Stalls event at Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 2. During the Crucible event, if a Marine was not actively participating in the obstacle, he was required to provide security to simulate a real combat scenario. Gitau grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, before moving to America at the age of 21 for broader opportunities to experience. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Golf Company graduated Sept. 11. - Private Chris M. Gitau, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, provides security for his squad during the Crucible 12 Stalls event at Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 2. During the Crucible event, if a Marine was not actively participating in the obstacle, he was required to provide security to simulate a real combat scenario. Gitau grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, before moving to America at the age of 21 for broader opportunities to experience. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Golf Company graduated Sept. 11.

Lance Cpl. Cresencio Ramirez, company honorman, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 31. Following recruit training, Ramirez will move on to the School of Infantry to pursue his path as an infantryman. He is unsure how long his Marine Corps career will last, but is excited to repay the country for all it has done for him and his family. He plans to apply all the disciplines he learns during his enlisted time to his life after the Marine Corps. Today, all male recruits recruited from recruiting stations west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Alpha Company graduated recruit training Sept. 4 - Lance Cpl. Cresencio Ramirez, company honorman, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 31. Following recruit training, Ramirez will move on to the School of Infantry to pursue his path as an infantryman. He is unsure how long his Marine Corps career will last, but is excited to repay the country for all it has done for him and his family. He plans to apply all the disciplines he learns during his enlisted time to his life after the Marine Corps. Today, all male recruits recruited from recruiting stations west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Alpha Company graduated recruit training Sept. 4

Recruits of Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, attempt to switch their hand grips on the Slide for Life obstacle during the Confidence Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 1. The Slide for Life was one of the most physically demanding obstacles in the course where recruits were tested on their physical endurance and mental strength. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Echo Company is scheduled to graduate Oct. 30. - Recruits of Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, attempt to switch their hand grips on the Slide for Life obstacle during the Confidence Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 1. The Slide for Life was one of the most physically demanding obstacles in the course where recruits were tested on their physical endurance and mental strength. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Echo Company is scheduled to graduate Oct. 30.

Private First Class Christopher M. Gardner, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, executes pull-ups during a physical fitness session at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 24. After graduation, Gardner will be attending the School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he will go through Marine Combat Training. Upon completion of MCT, he will pursue his military occupational specialty as a field radio operator. Following his Marine Corps training, he will begin his dream of playing football, too. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Mike Company is scheduled to graduate Aug. 28. - Private First Class Christopher M. Gardner, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, executes pull-ups during a physical fitness session at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 24. After graduation, Gardner will be attending the School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he will go through Marine Combat Training. Upon completion of MCT, he will pursue his military occupational specialty as a field radio operator. Following his Marine Corps training, he will begin his dream of playing football, too. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually. Mike Company is scheduled to graduate Aug. 28.

A field instructor with weapons and field training battalion, teaches the recruits not to pick up any loose gear found while searching for improvised explosive devices during the Crucible at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Aug. 25. They learned about the explosives through a walk down trail known as IED Lane. This event at the Crucible takes recruits down a path and through a small market place. Simulated IEDs are placed at various location along the way, including one filled with talcum powder that can be triggered by remote and trip wires. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually and Alpha Company will graduate recruit training Sept. 4. - A field instructor with weapons and field training battalion, teaches the recruits not to pick up any loose gear found while searching for improvised explosive devices during the Crucible at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Aug. 25. They learned about the explosives through a walk down trail known as IED Lane. This event at the Crucible takes recruits down a path and through a small market place. Simulated IEDs are placed at various location along the way, including one filled with talcum powder that can be triggered by remote and trip wires. Today, all males recruited from west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training more than 16,000 recruits annually and Alpha Company will graduate recruit training Sept. 4.