Marine Corps Recruit San Diego abuts the San Diego International Airport, seen here from the rappel tower. View Large.

by Candy Thomson | Maryland Natural Resources Police

Thirty-six men and women take the first steps to becoming Maryland Natural Resources Police officers when they were sworn in as the agency's 59th basic recruit class.

This class is the largest in the department's history and is beginning its basic training as the agency celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The more than seven-month curriculum covers basic police policies and procedures, with additional emphasis on conservation law enforcement. Classroom instruction is held at the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Center in Sykesville. Recruits receive additional training in the field, on state waters, in courtrooms and in specialized settings.

Natural Resources Police officers have the same authority as Maryland State Police troopers.

Basic Mandate Law Enforcement Training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation

Recruits of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, climb a Confidence Course obstacle Nov. 4, 2014, on Parris Island, S.C. The course, comprised of 15 obstacles designed to help Marine Corps recruits build confidence by overcoming physical challenges, closely resembles the original version built in 1958. Alpha Company is scheduled to graduate Jan. 9, 2015. 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 for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Jennifer Schubert)

U.S. Army Recruits and Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program physical training at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, N.J., Jan 11, 2025. The Recruit Sustainment Program is a program of the United States Army National Guard designed to introduce new recruits to the fundamentals of the U.S. Army before they leave for Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Seth Cohen)

Basic Mandate Law Enforcement Training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center

Taken during basic training after boot camp.

From the left; Jonathan Cohen, Josef (Seffie) Shemesh, myself and Ori (forgot his last name).

Jonathan, Seffie and I were form the same town and high school.

Agfachrome 100 ISO

Senior drill instructor Sgt. Fernando Horta Jr., watches as the soon-to-be recruits of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, rush off a bus and onto the yellow footprints of Parris Island, S.C., on March 3, 2014. Horta, a 28-year-old from West New York, N.J., was the first drill instructor to greet the recruits upon their arrival at the island. Alpha Company is scheduled to graduate May 30, 2014. 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 for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Octavia Davis)

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation

Basic Mandate Law Enforcement Training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center

Next chapter in scanning pictures of my brother's service in the US Army during the Vietnam war. I have pictures of Terry's Basic Training, Military Police AIT and Infantry Branch Officer's Candidate School.

Basic Mandate Law Enforcement Training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center

FORT BENNING, December 11, 2015 – Soldiers and Georgia Army National Guardsmen in week six of Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Ga. learn the fundamentals of aiming the 81 mm mortar system. Georgia Army National Guard photo by Capt. William Carraway / released

A reflection depicts an Afghan National Army recruit performing preventative maintenance checks on a Humvee door before going on a training drive at Camp Zafar, Herat Province, Feb. 20, 2011. Humvee driving training is part of the ANA's Basic Warrior Training, which is the Afghan version of basic training. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Stephen Hickok)

U.S. Marine Corps Rct. Kaylynn K. Kalama with Platoon 4001, Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, prepares to enter the land navigation course Dec. 14, 2017, on Parris Island, S.C. Recruits, like Kalama, 18, from Hamilton, Ohio, learn how to traverse unfamiliar territory using a map and compass during Basic Warrior Training. Oscar Company graduated Jan. 5, 2018. Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since Nov. 1, 1915. Today, approximately 19,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 12 weeks of rigorous, transformative training. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for approximately 49 percent of male recruits and 100 percent of female recruits in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Jacob)

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation

Basic Mandate Law Enforcement Training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center

Pfc. Alexander M. Wood, Platoon 2102, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, earned the highest combined physical fitness test and combat fitness test score for his company. Wood, from Ogdensburg, N.Y., earned 600 out of 600 points. (Photo by Cpl. Octavia Davis)

by Candy Thomson | Maryland Natural Resources Police

Thirty-six men and women take the first steps to becoming Maryland Natural Resources Police officers when they were sworn in as the agency's 59th basic recruit class.

This class is the largest in the department's history and is beginning its basic training as the agency celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The more than seven-month curriculum covers basic police policies and procedures, with additional emphasis on conservation law enforcement. Classroom instruction is held at the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Center in Sykesville. Recruits receive additional training in the field, on state waters, in courtrooms and in specialized settings.

Natural Resources Police officers have the same authority as Maryland State Police troopers.

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation

Rct. Jordan Hice, Platoon 2101, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, climbs a Confidence Course obstacle Oct. 7, 2014, on Parris Island, S.C. Recruits tackled, scaled and weaved their way through the course’s 15 obstacles, which are designed to increase self-confidence. Hice, 24, from Warren, Ohio, is scheduled to graduate Dec. 12, 2014. 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 for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Jennifer Schubert)

Only thing I really struggled with in Basic - the overhead bars. My hands are small and I could not get an adequate all around grip. Note one soldier wearing gloves. This exercise could wear blisters on your hand very quickly. I remember our Drill Sgt would keep mercurochrome ready and would slap it on many hands

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation

Rct. Marcus Frazier, Platoon 1006, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, climbs a Confidence Course obstacle Nov. 4, 2014, on Parris Island, S.C. Recruits tackled, scaled and weaved their way through the course’s 15 obstacles, which are designed to increase self-confidence. Frazier, 18, from Augusta, Ga., is scheduled to graduate Jan. 9, 2015. 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 for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Jennifer Schubert)

I remember them all as true professionals. Sgt Cottrell was my platoon Sgt. He rode us hard, but he was a fair man. On Sundays, he would sometimes bring in his small son to play chess with us privates, who were usually restricted to the company area. Sgt Morrison was a no nonsense, by the book, instructor. Never smiled. All business. Sgt Bethea was all professional and instructed in bayonet. I believe he got a drill Sgt award after we completed basic.

Recruits of Platoon 3037, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, respond to orders March 1, 2014, shortly after meeting their drill instructors on Parris Island, S.C. The recruits had just been told these men would be with them every day for the next 12 weeks and would be responsible for their transformation into Marines. Mike Company is scheduled to graduate May 23, 2014. 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 for 50 percent of males and 100 percent of females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Cpl. Caitlin Brink)

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation

For those of you who always said, "No way! You were not a DI." here's my proof.

photo by Candy Thomson, Public Information Officer

Almost every day starts with rigorous physical training. It might be a run on the beach or a fully-clothed swim in the Chesapeake Bay.

Platoon 4041, Oscar Company 4th Recruit Training Battalion, graduated Dec. 06, 2013. (Photo by Cpl. Octavia Davis)

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation

Joe Maina and myself at our barracks at Sampson AFB

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Course Graduation