Private First Class Joe T. Hertz, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, provides security as recruits complete an event during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 27. During the Crucible, Hertz was given the billet of squad leader for the second time at recruit training. Following recruit training, Hertz will report to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupation specialty school to become an automotive organizational mechanic. - Private First Class Joe T. Hertz, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, provides security as recruits complete an event during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 27. During the Crucible, Hertz was given the billet of squad leader for the second time at recruit training. Following recruit training, Hertz will report to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupation specialty school to become an automotive organizational mechanic.

Lance Cpl. Braden C. Tyree, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 11. Tyree spent an extra three months on the depot while waiting for an injury to heal. Following recruit training, Tyree will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school to become a communications specialist. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. India Company is scheduled to graduate July 15. - Lance Cpl. Braden C. Tyree, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 11. Tyree spent an extra three months on the depot while waiting for an injury to heal. Following recruit training, Tyree will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school to become a communications specialist. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. India Company is scheduled to graduate July 15.

Recruits from India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, prepare to compete against each other during Pugil Sticks III at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, June 21. Recruits were given protective gear that consisted of a flak jacket, groin protector, helmet and a pugil stick that simulated a rifle. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. India Company is scheduled to graduate July 15. - Recruits from India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, prepare to compete against each other during Pugil Sticks III at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, June 21. Recruits were given protective gear that consisted of a flak jacket, groin protector, helmet and a pugil stick that simulated a rifle. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. India Company is scheduled to graduate July 15.

Private First Class Mauricio E. Cadena, Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, poses in front of his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 31. Cadena spent an extra eight months at the depot before graduating to repair a knee injury. Following recruit training, Cadena will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school to become an aviation electronics technician. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Fox Company is scheduled to graduate June 3. - Private First Class Mauricio E. Cadena, Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, poses in front of his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 31. Cadena spent an extra eight months at the depot before graduating to repair a knee injury. Following recruit training, Cadena will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school to become an aviation electronics technician. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Fox Company is scheduled to graduate June 3.

Recruits of Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, prepare to compete against each other during Pugil Sticks III at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 24. Recruits were given protective gear that consisted of a helmet, groin protector, and a pugil stick that simulated a rifle. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Bravo Company is scheduled to graduate June 17. - Recruits of Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, prepare to compete against each other during Pugil Sticks III at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 24. Recruits were given protective gear that consisted of a helmet, groin protector, and a pugil stick that simulated a rifle. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Bravo Company is scheduled to graduate June 17.

Private Sylviano R. Gonzalez, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 25. Following recruit training, Gonzalez will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to become an infantryman. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Golf Company is scheduled to graduate April 29. - Private Sylviano R. Gonzalez, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 25. Following recruit training, Gonzalez will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to become an infantryman. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Golf Company is scheduled to graduate April 29.