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.

Recruits practice proper weapons maintenance to ensure their rifle functions properly. Recruits clean their weapons forty-five minutes to an hour while at the range. Every Marine must know how to take care of their weapon because if it isn't properly maintained it could jam costing a Marine their life. - Recruits practice proper weapons maintenance to ensure their rifle functions properly. Recruits clean their weapons forty-five minutes to an hour while at the range. Every Marine must know how to take care of their weapon because if it isn't properly maintained it could jam costing a Marine their life.

Company A recruits warm up for their two-mile ability group run with 30-pound ammunition cans aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego May 10. Recruits run through various stations to perform exercises aimed at building their strength, agilty and endurance. - Company A recruits warm up for their two-mile ability group run with 30-pound ammunition cans aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego May 10. Recruits run through various stations to perform exercises aimed at building their strength, agilty and endurance.

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.

Staff Sgt. Zachary Curran, senior drill instructor, Platoon 2110, Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, leads his recruits in a guided discussion May 1 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The role of the senior drill instructor throughout recruit training is to develop recruits into disciplined, physically-fit Marines, but also mold them into Marines with strong moral values. - Staff Sgt. Zachary Curran, senior drill instructor, Platoon 2110, Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, leads his recruits in a guided discussion May 1 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The role of the senior drill instructor throughout recruit training is to develop recruits into disciplined, physically-fit Marines, but also mold them into Marines with strong moral values.

Recruits stand upon the yellow footprints outside of Receiving Company April 23 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The moment the recruits step foot on the depot, they stand on the yellow footprints where they receive a speech on how to stand at the position of attention. - Recruits stand upon the yellow footprints outside of Receiving Company April 23 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The moment the recruits step foot on the depot, they stand on the yellow footprints where they receive a speech on how to stand at the position of attention.

PFC Brandon Espinosa, Platoon 3255, Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, manuevers his way through the Weaver, an event at the Crucible, April 24 at Weapons and Field Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Espinosa joined the Marine Corps Reserves before he found out that his girlfriend was pregnant. With the responsibility and self-integrity instilled throughout recruit training, Espinosa hopes to apply these traits to being a good father for his child and toward his career. - PFC Brandon Espinosa, Platoon 3255, Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, manuevers his way through the Weaver, an event at the Crucible, April 24 at Weapons and Field Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Espinosa joined the Marine Corps Reserves before he found out that his girlfriend was pregnant. With the responsibility and self-integrity instilled throughout recruit training, Espinosa hopes to apply these traits to being a good father for his child and toward his career.

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 B secures the perimeter as a simulated Improvised Explosive Device goes off May 1 aboard Edson Range, Weapons Field Training Battalion, Marine Base Camp Pendelton. IED lane was one of the many obstacles Co. B overcame while at the Crucible. During the lane recruits had to patrol for possible simulated IED's. - Company B secures the perimeter as a simulated Improvised Explosive Device goes off May 1 aboard Edson Range, Weapons Field Training Battalion, Marine Base Camp Pendelton. IED lane was one of the many obstacles Co. B overcame while at the Crucible. During the lane recruits had to patrol for possible simulated IED's.