Private Stephen M. O’Connell, Platoon 2145, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, poses in front of his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 4. O’Connell joined the Marine Corps after he witnessed the Boston Marathon attack in 2103. He is on the path to pursue a career in the intelligence field and plans on staying in the Marine Corps as long as he can. - Private Stephen M. O’Connell, Platoon 2145, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, poses in front of his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 4. O’Connell joined the Marine Corps after he witnessed the Boston Marathon attack in 2103. He is on the path to pursue a career in the intelligence field and plans on staying in the Marine Corps as long as he can.

Recruit John E. Martinez, Platoon 1029, Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, throws the rear hand punch during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program lesson at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 22. Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques were demonstrated by drill instructors in order to give recruits a visual of how to perform the move properly. Martinez is a Crown Point, Ind., native and was recruited out of Recruiting Station Indianapolis. 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. Company B is scheduled to graduate from recruit training on July 10. - Recruit John E. Martinez, Platoon 1029, Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, throws the rear hand punch during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program lesson at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 22. Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques were demonstrated by drill instructors in order to give recruits a visual of how to perform the move properly. Martinez is a Crown Point, Ind., native and was recruited out of Recruiting Station Indianapolis. 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. Company B is scheduled to graduate from recruit training on July 10.

Recruits of Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, walk along the route during the resupply hike at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 28. The ammunition resupply hike is six kilometers and recruits take turns carrying various size ammunition cans filled with dirt simulating the weight of the rounds. Halfway through the maneuver, the ammunition cans were handed over to the company’s follow series to carry back. Today, all male recruits recruited from recruiting stations west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training approximately 16,000 recruits annually. Golf Company is scheduled to graduate May 8. - Recruits of Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, walk along the route during the resupply hike at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 28. The ammunition resupply hike is six kilometers and recruits take turns carrying various size ammunition cans filled with dirt simulating the weight of the rounds. Halfway through the maneuver, the ammunition cans were handed over to the company’s follow series to carry back. Today, all male recruits recruited from recruiting stations west of the Mississippi are trained at MCRD San Diego. The depot is responsible for training approximately 16,000 recruits annually. Golf Company is scheduled to graduate May 8.

Recruits of Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, sprint toward their opponent during pugil sticks at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 23. Recruits competed in three bouts. Each played the role of offense, defense and took part in a free for all. The offense and defense bouts were fought two-on-one, which posed high risk or a bigger challenge than the last matches. 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. Lima Company is scheduled to graduate from recruit training on June 19. - Recruits of Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, sprint toward their opponent during pugil sticks at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 23. Recruits competed in three bouts. Each played the role of offense, defense and took part in a free for all. The offense and defense bouts were fought two-on-one, which posed high risk or a bigger challenge than the last matches. 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. Lima Company is scheduled to graduate from recruit training on June 19.

Private First Class Mark-Louie H. Taocta, Platoon 1007, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, performs ammunition can lifts during the Combat Fitness Test at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 9. Taocta moved to the United States at the age of 15 not knowing any English or having an understanding of the American culture. He quickly overcame this challenge and decided to join the Marine Corps after being inspired by his father who served in the Philippine Marine Corps. - Private First Class Mark-Louie H. Taocta, Platoon 1007, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, performs ammunition can lifts during the Combat Fitness Test at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 9. Taocta moved to the United States at the age of 15 not knowing any English or having an understanding of the American culture. He quickly overcame this challenge and decided to join the Marine Corps after being inspired by his father who served in the Philippine Marine Corps.

Recruit Servante R. Coba, (left), executes a counter to the rear headlock on Recruit Jimmy L. Ngo. Both recruits are from Platoon 3249, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and were taking part in Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 20. Coba is a San Marcos, Calif., native and was recruited out of Recruiting Station San Diego. Ngo is a Seattle, Wash., native and was recruited out of Recruiting Station Seattle. 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. Company G is scheduled to graduate from recruit training on May 8. - Recruit Servante R. Coba, (left), executes a counter to the rear headlock on Recruit Jimmy L. Ngo. Both recruits are from Platoon 3249, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and were taking part in Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 20. Coba is a San Marcos, Calif., native and was recruited out of Recruiting Station San Diego. Ngo is a Seattle, Wash., native and was recruited out of Recruiting Station Seattle. 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. Company G is scheduled to graduate from recruit training on May 8.