Stories

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marines

Stories

MCRD San Diego Graduates First Female Company Honor Graduate

Golf Company, Second Recruit Training Battalion, will graduate hundreds of new Marines at Marine

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason L. Morris, Commanding General for Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, and the Western Recruiting Region, and veterans with Alpha Company, First Battalion, First Marine Division, take a group photo at MCRD San Diego, June 24, 2022.

Vietnam Era Veterans Receive Bronze Star Award at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

Three Vietnam War veterans were awarded the Bronze Star Medal on Friday, June 24 on the parade deck

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Being thrown into an emergency can be frightening and confusing, especially when a person’s life is at risk. That is something U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thomas Zandate, a recruiter out of Recruiting Substation Pomona, Recruiting Station Riverside, 12th Marine Corps District, can tell you firsthand when he noticed a man in need of medical attention. On February 20, 2020, Zandate’s heroic actions saved a man’s life in a parking lot off of Rio Rancho Rd. in Pomona, Calif.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Being thrown into an emergency can be frightening and confusing, especially when a person’s life is at risk.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Being thrown into an emergency can be frightening and confusing, especially when a person’s life is at risk. That is something U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thomas Zandate, a recruiter out of Recruiting Substation Pomona, Recruiting Station Riverside, 12th Marine Corps District, can tell you firsthand when he noticed a man in need of medical attention. On February 20, 2020, Zandate’s heroic actions saved a man’s life in a parking lot off of Rio Rancho Rd. in Pomona, Calif.

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, CALIF. -- Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego hosted a Multi-Cultural day to celebrate the contributions of the different cultures in the United States and the military at the MCRD Command Museum, September 27, 2018.

2018 Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Multicultural Event

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego hosted a Multi-Cultural day to celebrate the contributions of the different cultures in the United States and the military at the MCRD Command Museum, September 27, 2018.

Private First Class Justin P. Rainey, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, carries a fellow recruit during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 5. Following recruit training, Rainey will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then the Infantry Training Battalion to become an infantryman. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego.

Introvert Learns to Lead From the Front

The Jacksonville, Fla., native left his comfort zone at home to flourish as the guide for his platoon during recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Recruit Seth Steele, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, stands at attention at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 28. Steele served as a squad leader in Platoon 2150 after going through trial training. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Golf company is scheduled to graduate Dec. 9.

GOLF COMPANY RECRUIT CLEANS UP HIS ACT

“I don’t want to go back to how I was,” said Private First Class Seth Steele, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. “I’m going to keep this effort I’ve been showing.” Steele, a Fort Wayne, Ind., native can truly say boot camp changed him.

Lance Cpl. Justyn K. Jones, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, stands outside his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 16. Following recruit training, Jones 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.

Alpha Company Marine Leaves Home to Join the Corps

Lance Cpl. Justyn K. Jones, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, wanted to get away from his small town and joins the Marine Corps.

Private First Class Gustis Goin, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands at parade rest at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 14. Goin served as a squad leader in Platoon 3270 for the entire training cycle. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego.Mike company is scheduled to graduate Nov. 18.

MARINE TAKES PRIDE IN FAMILY AND COUNTRY

“I’m really proud of where I come from,” said a new Marine from Mike Company. “I’m proud of my country.”

Private First Class Richard A. Lesollen, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, provides security while recruits traverse an obstacle during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. He spent an extra ten months aboard the depot while recovering from a knee injury. Following recruit training, Lesollen will report to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to the Infantry Training Battalion to become an infantryman.

Lesollen Completes Training After 14 Months

"I had to focus,” said Private First Class Richard A. Lesollen. “If I kicked myself down or gave up, I would just imagine all the people I’m quitting on.” After spending 14 months at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, the Lakewood, Colo., native found the strength to overcome his injuries and the mental warfare of recruit training through the love and support of his friends and family.

Private Alphard V. Reyes, Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, walks with ammunition cans during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 26. Reyes and his family immigrated to America, giving him the chance to earn the title of Marine. Following recruit training, Reyes will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Delta Company Marine Immigrates to America to Earn Title

Although immigrating to America was only one of the many challenges he came across, one recruit didn’t let the difficulties in life and recruit training keep him down.

Private Shawn M. Moore, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, provides security as his squad maneuver through an obstacle during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 18. Moore began training with Echo Company but was put into a Medical Holding Platoon after developing pneumonia. Moore began training again with India Company and is scheduled to graduate Oct. 28. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego.

New Marine Fights Through Constant Set Backs

“I learned how to grow up,” said Pvt. Shawn M. Moore, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training

Private Edgar F. Amaya, Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, traverses an obstacle during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Following recruit training, Amaya will report to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupation specialty school to become an air traffic controller.

Amaya Steps Up To The Challenge

OPTIMIST “Always strive to be better than yesterday,” said Pvt. Edgar F. Amaya. “Don’t be afraid to step up to the challenges given to you.”

Private First Class Le’Darius S. Scott, Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, stands with his senior drill instructor outside his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 11. Following recruit training, Scott 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 administration specialist. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego.

New Marine joined the Corps to stay out of trouble

Private First Class Le’Darius S. Scott, Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, grew up in West Memphis, Ark., with a big family, and he was raised by his older sister and mother.

Commander Rafael C. Perez (ret.), division officer, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, speaks at his retirement ceremony at the Bay View Restaurant at MCRD San Diego, Oct. 7. Perez served for 44 years and three months in the U.S. Navy, and he was deployed several times. He served on the enlisted side for 22 years and the officer side for 22 years.

Perez retires after 44 years of service

Commander Rafael C. Perez, division officer, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, retired at MCRD San Diego after 44 years and three months of service in the U.S. Navy, Oct. 7. With such a large number of years under his belt, Perez can now take a well-deserved break and focus on his family and himself.

Bio Photo

Commanding Officer, Headquarters Service Battalion

Colonel Jennifer Shaar is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a graduate of the United States

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego