Community Corner

After Graduation: Christopher Venditti of Waterford is Now a Marine Recruit

Drill training is part of the program for Venditti, 18, who is scheduled to graduate March 14.

Waterford native, Rct. Christopher Venditti, 18, is one of many Marine recruits currently going through training at Parris Island, S.C. He's with Platoon 3021, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. In this photo, taken on Jan. 14, he's asking Sgt. Rafael Moran III, his drill instructor, a question about close-order drill. Close-order drill instills discipline by teaching instant, willing obedience to orders. Venditti is scheduled to graduate March 14, 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.  


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