Private First Class Jakob S. Kurle, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 11. Following recruit training, Kurle 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 combat engineer. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. - Private First Class Jakob S. Kurle, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands next to his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 11. Following recruit training, Kurle 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 combat engineer. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego.

Recruits of Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, conduct a counter attack during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Test and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, March 9. Twenty recruits at a time took the test as the instructors evaluated them. The recruits also conducted hand-to-hand combat techniques and learned various movements with knives and rifles. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Delta Company is scheduled to graduate April 1. - Recruits of Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, conduct a counter attack during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Test and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, March 9. Twenty recruits at a time took the test as the instructors evaluated them. The recruits also conducted hand-to-hand combat techniques and learned various movements with knives and rifles. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Delta Company is scheduled to graduate April 1.

Private First Class Armando Sajbin, Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, posts as security during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 24. Each obstacle required recruits to provide security for the rest of their fire team to simulate protecting them from the enemy during combat situations. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. - Private First Class Armando Sajbin, Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, posts as security during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 24. Each obstacle required recruits to provide security for the rest of their fire team to simulate protecting them from the enemy during combat situations. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego.

A drill instructor of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, inspects a recruit’s gear before his match during the Pugil Sticks I event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 10. Recruits were given protective gear such as a helmet, groin protector and flak jacket for safety. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Alpha Company is scheduled to graduate April 22. - A drill instructor of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, inspects a recruit’s gear before his match during the Pugil Sticks I event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 10. Recruits were given protective gear such as a helmet, groin protector and flak jacket for safety. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Alpha Company is scheduled to graduate April 22.

Recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, jump rope during the circuit course event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 2. Jumping rope is an exercise that increases the heart rate to improve cardio vascular endurance. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Mike Company is scheduled to graduate April 15. - Recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, jump rope during the circuit course event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 2. Jumping rope is an exercise that increases the heart rate to improve cardio vascular endurance. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Mike Company is scheduled to graduate April 15.

Private Toosaint P. Mitchell (right), Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, grabs a rappel rope during the rappel tower event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Jan. 22. Drill instructors taught the recruits how to properly fasten the ropes prior to participating in the event. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. - Private Toosaint P. Mitchell (right), Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, grabs a rappel rope during the rappel tower event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Jan. 22. Drill instructors taught the recruits how to properly fasten the ropes prior to participating in the event. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego.