Stories

Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Millican shows off the silver medal he won at the 33rd Annual U.S. Army Culinary Arts Competition, an inter-service culinary competition. - Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Millican shows off the silver medal he won at the 33rd Annual U.S. Army Culinary Arts Competition, an inter-service culinary competition.

Marine chef takes care of business

Professional chefs are well known for being highly temperamental individuals. Marines are not exactly known for their friendly demeanor, either. Now, imagine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Millican, the enlisted aide and personal chef to Brig. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, commanding general, MCRD Parris Island/Eastern Recruiting Region. People familiar with both

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A pouch slowly fills with a recruit's blood during a collection event at the All Weather Training Facility. Depot recruits are offered the chance to donate blood to fellow troops on their ninth Sunday of training. - A pouch slowly fills with a recruit's blood during a collection event at the All Weather Training Facility. Depot recruits are offered the chance to donate blood to fellow troops on their ninth Sunday of training.

Recruits give blood to future brothers-in-arms

The ninth week of training marks the beginning of the third and final phase of recruit training. However, before recruits begin this last phase, they have the opportunity to save the life of a servicemember before ever claiming the title Marine.The Sunday before week nine of training, recruits are given the opportunity to donate blood to the

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Color Guard falls short of 1st Battalion

The second day of the Commanding General’s Cup basketballtournament continued at the depot’s Field House with a close-call victory by Recruit Training Regiment’s 1st Battalion over the depot’s Color Guard team.During the first half, the teams seemed evenly matched with neither team allowing more than a four-point distance in scores.In the second

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Sgt. Maj. Brian K. Jackson, left, relieves Sgt. Maj. Bobby B. Woods as the sergenat major for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Western Recruiting Region, during a relief and appointment ceremony on Shepherd Memorial Drill Field March 13. This ceremony was also a retirement ceremony for Woods, who anticipates joining a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps as an instructor during his retirement. - Sgt. Maj. Brian K. Jackson, left, relieves Sgt. Maj. Bobby B. Woods as the sergenat major for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Western Recruiting Region, during a relief and appointment ceremony on Shepherd Memorial Drill Field March 13. This ceremony was also a retirement ceremony for Woods, who anticipates joining a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps as an instructor during his retirement.

Recruit Depot sees change in senior enlisted leadership

Sgt. Maj. Brian K. Jackson relieved Sgt. Maj. Bobby B. Woods of his duties as sergeant major, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region in a relief and appointment ceremony here March 13. Woods, the 30th depot sergeant major, had held that post since February 2006. He retired at 49 years old and said he hopes to join a

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Boating responsibilities to know

As the weather warms, it is time to turn in downhill skis for water skis. However, there are numerous safety issues boaters and water sports fanatics need to know before setting sail. First-time boaters must know their boat and what it is capable of doing, as well as the safety equipment needed while on the water, according to William R. Thomas, a

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Weapons safety takes top priority

It's no secret that Marines are fond of weapons. Marines and their weapons are never separate in their function. They are trained in the same rules across the board when it comes to handling weapons, the same rules that are instilled in them from recruit training. Some basic regulations have been put into place by the Provost Marshals Office to

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Safe hunting practices are paramount to making the most of the season

Mac McKenna has hunted in the Lowcountry for more than 50 years. He's hunted every game, fired dozens of weapons and probably has more experience than any two hunters combined. He's seen many changes in hunting practices over the years, but he said one thing will never change. "Hunting safety is the most important thing," the 77-year-old hunter

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Staff Sgt. Brandon Jacobs, left, Platoon 3245, Co. L, asks Recruit Greg Person, Platoon 3246, about the proper techniques of climbing the 30-foot rope at the end of the course. Lance Cpl. Charlie Chavez/Chevron - Staff Sgt. Brandon Jacobs, left, Platoon 3245, Co. L, asks Recruit Greg Person, Platoon 3246, about the proper techniques of climbing the 30-foot rope at the end of the course. Lance Cpl. Charlie Chavez/Chevron

Company L recruits pair up to run their final obstacle course

Waiting with anticipation like the calm before the storm, recruits of Company L stood in line to jump, pull and run their way through the obstacle course on one of the depot’s physical training fields March 5.The recruits were paired together to complete the course in utility uniforms, flak jackets and Kevlar helmets,carrying partial combat loads.

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A recruit from Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, recovers from the gas chamber on March 3. Recruits must complete the gas chamber and rappel tower before transitioning to second phase.::n:: - A recruit from Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, recovers from the gas chamber on March 3. Recruits must complete the gas chamber and rappel tower before transitioning to second phase.::n::

Making Marines - one phase at a time Recruits transition from first phase to second

Training day 25 officially starts second phase for recruits. On this day, recruits participate in initial drill as well as blouse their boots for the first time since coming to Parris Island. But transitioning from the first phase of recruit training to the second isn't just about blousing boots and proving to the battalion drill master the platoon

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Sgt. Justin Hauser, a clarinet player in the Parris Island Marine Band, completes warm-up drills on his clarinet before a performance, Feb. 14.::n:: - Sgt. Justin Hauser, a clarinet player in the Parris Island Marine Band, completes warm-up drills on his clarinet before a performance, Feb. 14.::n::

Depot Marine bandsman 'works from home'for recruiting efforts

Not many Marines get the opportunity to work in their hometown where there are no Marine bases nearby. However, one Marine has been able to do just that. "Marines in the band are from throughout the U.S.," said Sgt. Fancisco Gaxiola, the assistant enlisted conductor for the Parris Island Marine Band. "It's rare that a Marine plays in their

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