The recruits of Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, complete a six-mile sustainment hike around base May 12 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The sustainment hike helps prepare the recruits for the amount of hiking they'll complete on the Crucible, a 54-hour field-training exercise. More than 50 miles are hiked between obstacles during the culminating event. - The recruits of Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, complete a six-mile sustainment hike around base May 12 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The sustainment hike helps prepare the recruits for the amount of hiking they'll complete on the Crucible, a 54-hour field-training exercise. More than 50 miles are hiked between obstacles during the culminating event.

Richard Blum, business development specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration, San Diego District Office, right, speaks with Marines and spouses about the benefits of entrepreneurship during the Transition Readiness Seminar at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Personal and Professional Development Center May 9. On the third day of the week-long seminar Marines are seperated into one of four pathways depending on their post-military goals. - Richard Blum, business development specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration, San Diego District Office, right, speaks with Marines and spouses about the benefits of entrepreneurship during the Transition Readiness Seminar at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Personal and Professional Development Center May 9. On the third day of the week-long seminar Marines are seperated into one of four pathways depending on their post-military goals.

Recruits of Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, hold the legs of their fellow recruits and count the number of crunches each does during the inventory physical fitness test May 7 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The inventory PFT allows recruits to see where they stand in their physical performance before they run the final PFT the following week. - Recruits of Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, hold the legs of their fellow recruits and count the number of crunches each does during the inventory physical fitness test May 7 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The inventory PFT allows recruits to see where they stand in their physical performance before they run the final PFT the following week.

Company A recruits use all their upper body strength to get over the double bars aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego May 3. This was one of the many events recruits had to complete while taking on the Obstacle Course during week two. After the double bars recruits climb the rope, which can be extra challenging after completing the whole O-Course since it requires a lot of upper body strength. - Company A recruits use all their upper body strength to get over the double bars aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego May 3. This was one of the many events recruits had to complete while taking on the Obstacle Course during week two. After the double bars recruits climb the rope, which can be extra challenging after completing the whole O-Course since it requires a lot of upper body strength.

Company H recruits weave through logs April 23 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. This was one of 12 obstacles that made up the Confidence Course for Co. H during their third week of recruit training. Next week they will take on three additional obstacles that are much heigher. This will force recruits with a fear of heights to overcome their fear and gain confidence. - Company H recruits weave through logs April 23 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. This was one of 12 obstacles that made up the Confidence Course for Co. H during their third week of recruit training. Next week they will take on three additional obstacles that are much heigher. This will force recruits with a fear of heights to overcome their fear and gain confidence.

Pvt. Christian Miervalle, left, and Pvt. Jesus Mier, right, Platoon 1041, Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, graduate from recruit training April 13 from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. After 10 days of leave they will continue their training at the School of Infantry, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. - Pvt. Christian Miervalle, left, and Pvt. Jesus Mier, right, Platoon 1041, Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, graduate from recruit training April 13 from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. After 10 days of leave they will continue their training at the School of Infantry, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Recruit Harley J. York, Platoon 3221 guide, Company K, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, completes an obstacle during the Crucible aboard Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif. March 28. York joined the Marine Corps for the challenge and according to his drill instructors, has demonstrated a high level of leadership throughout recruit training. - Recruit Harley J. York, Platoon 3221 guide, Company K, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, completes an obstacle during the Crucible aboard Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif. March 28. York joined the Marine Corps for the challenge and according to his drill instructors, has demonstrated a high level of leadership throughout recruit training.

Recruit Colten C. Sponseller, platoon 2142, Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, applies camouflage paint to his face March 20 while on the crucible aboard Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton. Sponseller, a Midland, Mich. native, came to recruit training hoping to gain experiences that would help guide him toward his dream of becoming a U.S. senator. He has enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves for six years and plans to finish his international relations degree at Utah Valley University. - Recruit Colten C. Sponseller, platoon 2142, Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, applies camouflage paint to his face March 20 while on the crucible aboard Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton. Sponseller, a Midland, Mich. native, came to recruit training hoping to gain experiences that would help guide him toward his dream of becoming a U.S. senator. He has enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves for six years and plans to finish his international relations degree at Utah Valley University.

Sgt. Daniel C. Downing, drill instructor, Company G., 2nd Recruit Training Battalion motivates recruit Aaron G. Real, Co. G, 2nd RTBn. during an inventory physical fitness test March 5 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. For 12 weeks of recruit training, men who accept the challenge of becoming Marines are put through numerous physical strains to help them increase their final PFT scores. - Sgt. Daniel C. Downing, drill instructor, Company G., 2nd Recruit Training Battalion motivates recruit Aaron G. Real, Co. G, 2nd RTBn. during an inventory physical fitness test March 5 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. For 12 weeks of recruit training, men who accept the challenge of becoming Marines are put through numerous physical strains to help them increase their final PFT scores.

Lonnie Hoxie, vice principal, Jenkins High School, Chewelah, Wash., fireman carries Sam Jackson, vice principal, Inglemoor High School, Kenmore, Wash., during the maneuver under fire portion of the Combat Fitness Test during an educators workshop aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., Jan. 17. Several educators volunteered to participate in the ammo can lifts and maneuver under fire portions of the CFT. - Lonnie Hoxie, vice principal, Jenkins High School, Chewelah, Wash., fireman carries Sam Jackson, vice principal, Inglemoor High School, Kenmore, Wash., during the maneuver under fire portion of the Combat Fitness Test during an educators workshop aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., Jan. 17. Several educators volunteered to participate in the ammo can lifts and maneuver under fire portions of the CFT.