Parris Island

Parris Island is the nation’s premier recruiting training base dedicated to upbringing Marines. The recruits undergo various academic and physical exams throughout their training and are tested on the knowledge, skills and values a Marine must foster. Those who complete the final challenge known as The Crucible (a 54 hour test of physical and mental strength) are awarded their Eagle, Globe and Anchors, symbolizing their transformation from recruits to Marines. The newest generation of Marines graduating from Parris Island are entering into the longest war in American history and will subsequently be fighting a battle that began before they were born.

These Marines are training for the war they have never known life without. Upon graduation, they will potentially be able to serve in Afghanistan or another theater in the global war on terror. Never in America’s history have individuals been fighting a battle older than themselves; yet they chose to enlist for a myriad of reasons. For most, they hope for a better future for themselves and those that preceded them; many join to follow in the footsteps of those that came before; some say they plan to fight in a battle that America never foresaw lasting over 18 years. Of the 38,000 recruits who enter the Marine corps every year, about 3500 are women.

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Matthew Poblano, 17, from Bay Shore, NY

"I applied for Naval ROTC and didn't get accepted. I still wanted to be an officer. My recruiter told me that I could enlist and then go to college as a reservist and become an officer afterward... All Marines know that they're war fighters. You join knowing that if you have to go to war, you go."

Ashley Gorbea, 17, from Springfield, MA

Ashley Luna Gorbea said her earliest memory of the 9/11 wars is from middle school. “They had a moment of silence, and I was like, whoa, and I asked my history teacher what’s so special about today. She said that 9/11 was a moment when the whole country came together, and that really struck me. How something so big could make us all unite.”

Gregory Grammer, 18, from Myrtle Beach, SC

“A lot of people waste their time doing nothing... I can say for sure that I joined the Marine Corps, and I did something.”

Denya Sweet, 18, from Charlotte, NC

“9/11 really changed a lot of people’s lives. We moved out of New York City two years after 9/11. My mom didn’t tell me the reason why we left. But my mom had a friend who died in the attack, and I’ve always wondered if that’s why.”

Cierra Smith, 18, from Portland, OR

“In my school we didn’t talk about war much. Portland is a place where we don’t talk about the military. Growing up, it never felt to me like a war was going on. The first time I remember learning about 9/11 was around seventh grade. 9/11 all feels like history to me.”

Kylie Murphy, 18, from Norton, MA

“My grandfather was in the Marine infantry. But I’m not sure exactly what he did. Until now, I never thought to ask… Growing up, I never knew we were at war. I feel more mature being a Marine. I feel like my own person now.”

Kylie Murphy, 18, from Norton, MA

Ivan Santos Estrella, 17, from Dominican Republic

Ivan Santos Estrella joined the Marines so he could see more of the world and get help with his college education. Ivan panicked the first time he went into the water because he was never taught how to swim; he quickly learned and passed all his tests during his Marine training.

Alejandro Farciert Mejia, 17, from Bronx, NY

“I have a personal experience with 9/11. Because of 9/11, I was almost a miscarriage. Those events scared my mother, and her blood pressure shot up. Because of this, I wound up being born prematurely and ended up in an incubator. That shouldn’t have to happen to anyone else.”

Samantha Delgado, 17, from Sylmar, CA

“It was a shock to everyone that I joined the Marines. I’ve always been more an academic type. But once they saw that my mind was set, everyone supported me… I joined the Marines to serve my country. Marine are always ready to fight. I feel like I’ll be ready.”

Matthew Poblano, 17, from Bay Shore, NY

Ashley Gorbea, 17, from Springfield, MA

“My earliest memory of the 9/11 wars is from middle school. They had a moment of silence, and I was like, whoa, and I asked my history teacher what’s so special about today. She said that 9/11 was a moment when the whole country came together, and that really struck me. How something so big could make us all unite.”

Itzel Andrade, 18, from Donna, TX

“My mom came here from Mexico on her own. I didn’t have a male role model. My mom showed me you don’t need someone to rely on to be successful. I want to show her that I can be a strong, independent woman and make her proud. I wanted to join the toughest branch of service.”