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 over a three-month time period. The first phase is the break down phase. This first month focuses on stripping the recruits’ civilian knowledge. During phase two the commanders work to build recruits up stronger and building comradery. The second phase builds up the recruits as stronger men and women both mentally and physically. Also this phase builds teamwork and brotherhood and sisterhood. The final phase is preparing recruits for their last 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. In Sabrina Sullivan’s From Civilian to Marine photo essay the images were taken during the three different phases. The order of these images helps present the chronological order of a recruit transforming from civilian to Marine. 

The first image in Sabrina Sullivan’s photo essay is of the front gate into Marine Corp Depot Parris Island. This sign is the first thing the recruits will see when being bused onto the island. The color of this sign if bright red as if it is a warning. The bright red sign is a stop sign for these future Marines, forcing them to leave their civilian lifestyle behind. This is also the first sign families and friends will see before entering the island for graduation ceremonies. This sign is tall enough to not see over. The height of the sign blocks out eyes that do not belong on Parris Island. Families, friends, and visitors are blinded from what happens to their recruits until they get to see them three months later. The angle of this photo is straight forward. This disables the viewer from seeing around this legendary sign into this training facility. 

The next image is the yellow footprints. Recruits rush to stand on these yellow footprints before officially beginning their training. These footprints are the same in size showing the initial conformity the recruits must do to become one. The military is uniformed as one group and must all act, dress, and work as this one group. All footprints are pointing forward because there is no turning back now. From this moment when the recruits step forward they must be focused, intense, and professional in their training. There are at least forty footprints representing how large this branch of the military is. These footprints are also yellow. Yellow symbolizes caution. The yellow footprints show how cautious the Marine Corp is with their training and with their jobs. This photo was taken from a down low angle. This angle shows how uniform these footprints are and how many footprints there are. 

The third image is recruits marching on Parris Island in their unit. This image was taken during phase two, where the recruits are being taught to build comradery. The faces of these recruits are uniformed which causes them to look like one. Recruits are taught to look intense and intimating when they are in their units. The male’s straight faces show a lack of emotion. The commanders and instructors strip away the emotion of the recruits so they stay focus on their training and doing the best job they can do. These recruits are also standing straight and looking forward as they were taught that nothing shall distract them from their jobs. The background of this image is blurred out to expose these recruits’ faces and bodies as they marching as a whole. 

The next image is of the candle families and friends are told to light for their recruit during their final weeks of training. This candle represents a lit path for these recruits to find their way back home after completing their thirteen weeks of training. The yellow light represents the slowing down of training for these recruits have earned the title of a U.S. Marine. Once their training has stopped they will find their way home before leaving for their next training facility. This photo being taken in the dark shows the glow of the candle to emphasize the path being lit for the Marines to come home. Also, the light of the candle shows the dog tags wrapped around its base representing the Marine is almost on his way home. 

The sixth image in Sabrina Sullivan’s photo essay was taken on family day. The slight smile on the Marine’s face shows his love and loyalty to the girl in front of him. This smile also shows that there is not as much shown emotion as there is in the girl. The Marines hides his stronger sense of emotion because he was taught to not let things phase his mind from his job. The girl covers her face as she cries tears of joy that she is reunited with her Marine. The faces in this photo reflect the initial emotions of both the Marine and the girl. This image was taken at an angle to capture this emotion of just these two people. 

The final image was taken on Graduation Day. The Marine featured in this image has a slight smile to show how proud he is of himself. This Marine is standing tall and clean. The image shows him being uniform as he was taught for the past three months. The bright blue color of the sky is a symbolizes the good that is to come for the Marines. The blue sky of this image also shows that it was a good day for these graduating Marines as they then went home for a week before continuing their training elsewhere. 

The order of these images show the chronological order of a recruit becoming a United States Marine. These images from Sabrina Sullivan’s photo essay From Civilian to Marine intend to show the artistic and intense meaning behind the Marine Corp Depot Parris Island.

These images were presented on a plain white background to highlight each aspect of these images. This journey is often not discussed or shown because many do not take this journey. 
