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The Lost and Found

Recruits with Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, conduct land navigation during Basic Warrior Training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. on Nov. 21, 2022.

Land navigation is designed to teach recruits how to use a compass and map for navigation.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Evelyn Doherty and Lance Cpl. Trent A. Henry)

𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔣𝔣 𝔖𝔢𝔯𝔤𝔢𝔞𝔫𝔱 𝔖𝔱𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔯
Joined the prior hat club today! Congratulations. Finished his tour with 1st Battalion serving as the Drill Master.
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In need of memorable photos for a special occasion? Now booking November 2022. I have a few dates left.

U.S. Navy Birthday!
"A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace." #navy #navylife #navyseals #beaufortsc #lowcountrylife #lowcountryliving

Senior Drill Instructor Square Away Time!

Recruits with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, take part in square away time on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., April 15, 2022.

Square away time gives recruits the opportunities to prepare uniforms and gear for the next day of training, as well as time for extra pt, reading mail, and writing letters.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Dakota Dodd and Pfc. Victoria Hutt)

Beach Day!

Recruits Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, receive Incentive Training (IT) aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., on March 28, 2022.

IT serves as a tool used by drill instructors to correct recruits' deficiencies and establish discipline.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Dakota Dodd and Pfc. Savannah Ritter)

Ropes and Logs

Recruits with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, conduct the Obstacle Course on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., March 29, 2022.

This course is used as one of many physical training challenges to prepare recruits to become United States Marines.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Randall D. Whiteman)

I told myself almost 7 years ago that one day I would take this picture. For reasons I won’t mention here, there were times I almost didn’t make it. BUT, lots of blood (literally…my poor feet 🥺), lots of sweat, and MANY tears later—I DID make it. Never fucking quit. If you have a goal, no matter how far away its vision, fight, fight, fight until you make it. Through all the ups and downs, I’m still proud to say that I Make Marines.
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#pidi #drillinstructor #wemakemarines #parrisisland #femalemarine #vision #passion #purpose #passionbreedsexcellence #hardwork #hardworkpaysoffs #womenempowerment #strongwomen #crushyourgoals #skyisthelimit #marines #heavy #numberfive #done #graduation #endoftheroad #finishline #finishstrong #lastone #donemaamdone

→MILITARY MONDAY←

We love supportive friends.

Words can’t express how proud I am to be your sister, I love you Marine! 💙❤️

Thank you Echo Company for the hospitality and support. 2nd BN is always a pleasure. 🙏🏽 Congratulations on another cycle complete and graduation down.

An Introduction is in Order

Recruits with Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, meet their new drill instructors on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Dec. 3, 2021.

‘Pick up’ is the first time recruits meet the drill instructors that will train them to become United States Marines.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Michelle Brudnicki)

Sergeants and Echo Company drill instructors Brittany Guadalupe and Adilene Sanchez not only share the bond of making Marines together on Parris Island, but also a years-long friendship that dates back to their entry level training at Low Altitude Air Defense School (LAAD).

Read more of their inspiring story on our Facebook page.

Recruits with Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion conduct rifle qualifications during the company’s Table I fire drills aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Sept. 21.

Table one consists of shooting from the 200, 300, and 500 yard lines in a variety of positions to measure marksmanship proficiency.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Devin Darden and Staff Sgt. Anne Henry)

We Have the Watch

On Friday, September 17th, Sgt. Maj. William C. Carter relinquished his position as the Depot Sgt. Maj. of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region and retired after 30 years of service.

Carter relinquished his duties to Sgt. Maj. Edwin A. Mota, who will now serve in the billet.

Fair winds and following seas, Sgt. Maj.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Dana Beesley)

🚨NEW MARINE ALERT!!🚨
Congratulations to Private Durham! Pvt Durham graduated Boot Camp Friday and is set to head out to MCT (Marine combat training) and then off to her MOS training! Pvt Durham has come along way and has worked hard to achieve this goal! Congratulations!! SEMPER FIDELIS!

#newmarine #usmc #marinecorps #femalemarines #parrisisland #bootcamp #leadership #opportunity #hardwork #dedication #determination #technicalskills #college #expectations #congratulations #massenacentralhighschool #franklinacademy #lisboncentralschool #norwoodnorfolk #parishvillehopkinton #edwardsknoxcentralschool #cliftonfinecentralschool #coltonpierrepont #potsdamcentralschool #ogdensburgfreeacademy #gouverneurcentralschool #tupperlakecentralsd #longlakeny #stlawrencelewisboces #stlawrencecounty

An Enlisted Education

Of the 200,000 people who join the military every year, 180,000 join the enlisted ranks and 20,000 become officers. There are various opportunities for enlisted Marines to transition to the commissioned ranks and continue their career, but the selection process for these programs is extremely competitive and requires a process of indoctrination completely different from the enlisted mindset. That being said, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island boasts prior-enlisted commanders in nearly every battalion; an unprecedented circumstance.

Each of them took the road less traveled to get to where they are today, but they all share the same experience of enduring recruit training and earning their Eagle, Globe and Anchor aboard the recruit depot.

Read each of their motivating stories on our Facebook page today.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos and stories by Sgt. Dana Beesley)

Practice Makes Precision

Recruits with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, execute drill movements during close order drill practice aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island S.C., Aug. 3, 2021.

Close order drill helps to instill self-discipline in recruits as they become U.S. Marines.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos and photo illustrations by Lance Cpl. Ryan Hageali) (This post includes multiple-exposure photos)

Col. Bradley Ward’s career began 33 years ago when he first stepped on Parris Island’s historic yellow footprints as a recruit. Years later, he returned as a drill instructor and now, as the Recruit Training Regiment commanding officer, he shares his experience aboard the depot from a different view.

Read more about him and his inspiring story on our Facebook page.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos and story by Sgt. Dana Beesley)

5th Cycle, First Senior Drill Instructor Cycle. Here we go! #drillinstructor #usmc #di #parrisisland #training #insane

This duty really sucks for him, but he’s doing a lot better than my gig line was. ⠀
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#fatherandsongoals #drillinstructor #mcrdsd #recruittraining #thefewtheproud #semperfi #semperfresh #usmcbootcamp #mcrd #bootcamp #marinecorps #golfcompany #recruittraining #usmc #military #marine #motomonday #reservist #parrisisland #poolee #thefewtheproud #throwbackthursday #militarymen #usmarines #v22osprey #iyaoyas #unitedstatesmarinecorps #tiltlife #aircrew #military #marines #marinecorps #california #photography

Tip of the Spear

Students with Drill Instructor School practiced drill and sword manual techniques on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., May 10, 2021. The techniques taught during this event showed the students the commands used to prepare recruits for movements, as well as proper handling of the Noncommissioned sword.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Yamil Casarreal)

A Place in the Sun

Recruits with Delta Company completed the obstacle course during the Crucible aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island S.C., April 30, 2021. The Crucible is the final event for the recruits before becoming United States Marines.

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Samuel C. Fletcher

Be On the March

Recruits with Charlie Company were inspected during final drill evaluations aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island S.C., April 7, 2021. Final Drill tests drill instructors on their ability to give drill commands and tests recruits on their ability to execute the movements properly.

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel C. Fletcher)

Reflecting back on Hotel Company’s chilly Crucible last week. Welcome to the family, Marines!

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Gunnery Sgt. Tyler Hlavac)

Swim With the Tide

November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion and Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, completed basic swim qualification aboard Parris Island Jan. 13.

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel C. Fletcher)

Thunderstruck

Recruits with Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, engaged in pugil sticks on the island Jan. 11, 2021. Body sparring and pugil sticks help recruits apply the fundamentals of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

(U.S. Marine Corps Photos By Gunnery Sgt. Tyler Hlavac and Cpl. Dylan Walters)

On Dec. 15, 2020. Staff Sgt. Andy Archer with Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, saved a recruit’s life at the chow hall aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island S.C. Archer said, while supervising his platoon at the chow hall, that a recruit walked up to him visibly in distress. Archer realized the severity of the situation and acted quickly.

“We were at noon chow and I was watching the platoon like a normal day,” said Archer. “Out of nowhere a recruit walked up and his face was red. I performed the Heimlich maneuver and after the third pump [I was able to dislodge the food]. I looked at him and made sure he was alright. Once I realized he was okay I told him to finish eating.”

Archer, like all drill instructors, are CPR certified at Drill Instructor School and must re-qualify every two years to ensure they are capable of providing life saving measures for recruits if needed.

(U.S. Marine Corps photo and story by Lance Cpl. Ryan Hageali)

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Reach The Top

Echo Company conducted the Confidence Course at Leatherneck Square Dec. 15. Keep climbing, recruits!

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Dylan Walters)

Training Marines who make Marines

Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Dike is the advanced curriculum instructor at Drill Instructor School on Marine Corps Recruit Depot S.C., He was born in Las Vegas, Nev. on Oct. 19, 1985 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps on June 4, 2004.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I have wanted to be a United States Marine,” said Dike. “It really kicked into place when I watched the September 11 attacks live, that’s when I really knew I wanted to join the world’s best fighting force.”
Dike joined as a combat engineer and deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Uganda. He volunteered to be a drill instructor in 2013. He has served as a drill instructor, senior drill instructor, and chief drill instructor. In March 2020 he was selected to instruct at drill instructor school, where he teaches both the SDI and CDI courses.
“I just want to leave here knowing that I have made a difference in the minds of chief drill instructors and senior drill instructors,” said Dike. “I want them to understand the leadership that they are placed into and how big of a role they play to Marines and recruits.”

(U.S. Marine Corps story by Lance Cpl. Ryan Hageali)

This weekend, a platoon became a team; a company became a family - forged in the fire of the Crucible.
Welcome the Corps' newest Marines of Golf and November Company!

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Dana Beesley)

Continuous Improvement

Drill instructors who have shown they lead from the front and have the potential to be a senior drill instructor are sent to the senior drill instructor course. The senior drill instructor course is a one-week course required for drill instructors that want to become a senior drill instructor.

“The process for a drill instructor to become a senior drill instructor is that they have to fill multiple billets while on Parris Island,” said Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Dike. “Drill instructors start off as the fourth in line, then they become the knowledge drill instructor, and then the experienced drill instructor once they have established that they understand every key billet that is when they can become a senior drill instructor, basically they are the master of their Military Occupation Specialty as a drill instructor.”

(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Ryan Hageali)

Finding Their Sea Legs

U.S. Marines attending Marine Corps Water Survival School (MCWSS) complete various events during the course on Nov. 17, 2020. Upon graduation from the MCWSS course the Marines will become Marine Corps Instructors of Water Survival and be able to evaluate and instruct swim qualification.
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(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Samuel Fletcher)

Killer Instinct

Marines in the Martial Arts Instructor Course completed their culminating event Nov. 12 to earn their instructor tab after a grueling three weeks of training, testing and grappling. Congratulations, Marines!
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(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Dana Beesley)

'Cutting Edge' Training

Students with Drill Instructor School practice sword manual aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Nov. 6, 2020. Close order drill and proper handling of the NCO Sword is taught to the students so they can conduct and teach drill as a future drill instructor.
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(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Samuel Fletcher)

Sisters by blood, now sisters-in-arms.

Three days before her grandfather passed away, Ashley Valentine, 19, made a promise to carry on his legacy in the United States armed services. After deciding to join the Marine Corps, her sister Amber, 22, made the decision to enlist as well.

“After talking with the recruiter about how it would impact my life, I was committed,” Amber said. “I was ready to go no matter what.”

Amber waited for her sister to be approved medically before she went to recruit training. They both agreed that having each other to rely on through recruit training helped during some of their highest highs and lowest lows.

“I went through a moment during first phase where I received some bad news in a letter, and she was there to be a shoulder for me to lean on,” Amber said.
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You can utilize the buddy program to ensure you have a support system going into boot camp.
Ever heard of the buddy program?
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#marines #usmc #marinecorps #femalemarines #buddyprogram #sisters #bootcamp #basictraining #parrisisland #sisterhood #pride

Five sisters - Amber and Ashley Valentine and Maria, Vanessa and Melissa Placido Jaramillo - graduated from MCRD Parris Island yesterday.
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Now they not only share the bond of sisterhood, but the pride of becoming United States Marines side-by-side. Read their stories on our Facebook page.
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(U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Dana Beesley)

“Retire Guidons!”

Want to watch the full graduation ceremony of India and November companies? Check out the livestream on our Facebook page!

🇺🇸 On this Veterans Day, we thank all veterans and their families for their service to this country and who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free. God Bless America

[Photo from previous parade downtown Beaufort] #veteransday #usa #beaufortsc #usmc #downtownbeaufortsc

Laurel Bay Today 4-6pm 🇺🇸
Strawberry, Fudgesicle, Passion Fruit, Guava Citrus Sorbet, and Pop”tails”
#whereismotorcitypopstoday

7th cycle. 2nd Senior Drill Instructor Cycle. 1 last cycle!! Let’s get it!! Charlie Passion🤘🏽 #charliepassion#SDI#parrisisland#drillinstructor