Parris Island is one of the hardest, most intense training facilities in the United States for Marines. The recruits endure three different, yet equally difficult phases in boot camp. The first phase is the break down time. This phase focuses on stripping the recruits’ civilian knowledge. The second phase is the beginning of building recruits up stronger, both mentally and physically, and build comradery. Also, the second phase builds teamwork, brotherhood and sisterhood. The third phase is preparing recruits for their final test before gaining the title of U.S. Marine. This phase focuses on recruits completing their training and building up their focus on being a Marine. Each image was taken during different phases. The order of these images helps present the progress of a recruit transforming from civilian to Marine. 

 The first image shows the gate into Parris Island that the recruits pass through as their bus enters Parris Island. This gate is significant because passing through it is the first step to becoming a Marine beginning. The image of the sign is bright red and easily noticeable. This image is taken at a straight angle focusing only on the sign and no surroundings or people to show that it is the recruits job to pass boot camp. They will not have family to help them make it through the hardest thirteen weeks of their lives. This sign is also the first sign family and friends will see when they come to Parris Island to pick up their Marines in thirteen weeks.

The traditional yellow footprints are photographed in image two.  As recruits get off of the bus they run to formation on these legendary footprints. The yellow footprints symbolize the beginning of learning to be a Marine. From the first step recruits take from here on, they are focused, professional, and intense. The yellow footprints are the first step to start Phase 1 of training. Phase 1 is the time the instructors try to break down recruits and strip their knowledge of the civilian world. The image is taken at a close to the ground point of view. This ground point of view shows that stepping on these footprints are like a legal binding contract signed by standing on the footprints for the recruits to begin their boot camp. These image shows the buses in the background that the recruits filed out of. 

In the third image, the recruits are marching as a unit. The recruits’ unit is like a brotherhood. These recruits are marching to Team Week which is during Phase 2 where recruits are being built up stronger and to build comradery. This is a week where recruits are able to de-stress by performing smaller tasks before Phase 3 begins. This image shows the faces of the recruits. These faces are intense and serious as they march because they must maintain professionalism. The recruits are also standing straight up and not slouching which shows they are being professional. The image is focused on the recruits while the background is blurred out to help emphasize the details of the marching unit. 

The next image is the candle lit for recruits while they perform their final test, the Crucible. During Phase 3, the recruits endure a fifty-four-hour test, called the Crucible, before they earn the title of a U.S. Marine. This Crucible is in the woods performing the skills Marines are expected to have after graduation from boot camp. Families and friends are told to light a candle to represent the recruits finding their way home where the light is left on for them during this test. This angle shows the candle with dog tags wrapped around the base. From the light of the candle, a faint image of the recruit’s face is shown in a picture to the left of his civilian life before boot camp. 

Family Day is represented in the next image. This is the first day families and friends can see their Marines after thirteen long weeks without them. Family Day is an emotional day. The image represents the end of Phase 3, during graduation week. This angle shows the initial emotion one feels when seeing their Marine for the first time. This initial emotion is the sense of joy and happiness to see a loved one after three months apart. Also, the Marine’s happiness is shown through his smile when he sees the girl. In the background you can see numerous amounts of people who are excited to see their Marines as well. This image highly appeals to emotions as you can see the girl in this image crying from seeing her Marine. 

The last image is Graduation Day, the final day of boot camp and graduation week. This is the last day the Marines are on Parris Island Marine Recruiting Depot. This day is the day Marines are allowed to go home before moving to their next training facility. Each graduating unit is presented to their families and Commanders as Marines for the first time. Graduation Day is what everyone looks forward to; it’s the day the title of a U.S. Marine is earned. The title is never given unless earned. This is the most rewarding day for the Marines because they know they have accomplished something many would never attempt. This image shows a proud Marine after graduation and many families behind him with their Marines. On the Marine’s face you can see a slight smile because he knows he earned his title. Also, the Marine is clean and standing tall and proud. This is the last day of boot camp and the first day of the rest of their journey as Marines.

The images in this order show the progress a recruit makes when becoming a Marine. These six images intend to show the images families and friends of those at Parris Island are given while at home awaiting letters and pictures of their recruits and Marines. These images were presented in a white background to emphasize the images clearly. This journey is often not discussed or shown because many do not take this journey. The Marines have a quote expressing how not many choose to take this journey. “The Few. The Proud. The Marines”. This quote represents how many will never pass through the Parris Island gate or ever step on these footprints. Also, many will never feel the sense of pride a Marine will feel when they graduate boot camp. Many will never graduate boot camp or get to see how proud their family is on family day. 
