Rct. Mackesey Brosious, Platoon 3094, Kilo Company,

Rct. Mackesey Brosious, Platoon 3094, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, prepares to descend the rappel tower Oct. 1, 2013, on Parris Island, S.C. Rappelling from the 47-foot tower is meant to help prepare recruits for deploying from helicopters, navigating difficult terrain and gaining access to buildings during raids. Brosious, 18, from Churchton, Md., is scheduled to graduate Nov. 22, 2013. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training of 50 percent of males and 100 percent for females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)