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.

Private Joseph A. Pratt, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, waits for his turn to climb an obstacle during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 12. Following recruit training, Pratt 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 motor transportation operator. 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. - Private Joseph A. Pratt, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, waits for his turn to climb an obstacle during the Crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 12. Following recruit training, Pratt 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 motor transportation operator. 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.

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.