Photo Gallery: Marine recruits conquer fear of heights on rappel tower

Photo By Cpl. MaryAnn Hill | Sgt. Tashan Williams, a drill instructor of Platoon 1069, Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, guides Rct. Nicholas Fitzpatrick down the rappel tower July 23, 2013, at the combat training area on Parris Island, S.C. Recruits like Fitzpatrick, a 19-year-old native of Waverly, N.Y., had two possible ways off the tower - the wall or a helicopter skid pad. The tower was built in 1960 and used as a radar tower until 1978, when it was switched to its current use in recruit training. Williams is a 24-year-old native of Paterson, N.J. Delta Company is scheduled to graduate Sept. 13, 2013. 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 for females in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Lance Cpl. MaryAnn Hill)  

PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

08.07.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. MaryAnn Hill 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island           

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - The recruits of Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, rappelled from a 47-foot tower July 23, 2013, at the combat training area on Parris Island, S.C.

This training helps prepare recruits for navigating difficult terrain, gaining access to buildings and deploying from helicopters. It also instills self-confidence and helps recruits overcome any fear of heights they may have.

Delta Company is scheduled to graduate Sept. 13, 2013.

• Date Taken: 08.07.2013
• Date Posted: 08.07.2013 14:44
• Story ID: 111510
• Location: PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, US
• Hometown: APPLE CREEK, OHIO, US
• Hometown: MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, US
• Hometown: PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, US
• Hometown: WAVERLY, NEW YORK, US