PARRIS ISLAND, SC -- MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – A native of Waxhaw, North Carolina, graduated from Marine Corps recruit training here as the honor graduate of Company H, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Feb. 8, 2019.
Pfc. Agustin Hernandez Jr. earned this distinction over 13 weeks of training by outperforming 383 other recruits during a series of training events designed to test recruits’ basic Marine Corps skills.
These training events covered customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, marksmanship, physical fitness, military history, and a variety of other subjects.
Hernandez said his favorite part of recruit training was the Crucible. The Crucible is a 54 hour event that tests recruits’ ability to lead while under immense fatigue and complete a variety of other obstacles that require teamwork, courage, and self-confidence.
“The Crucible was my favorite part of recruit training, it allowed my fellow recruits and I to work together to overcome adversity,” said Hernandez, a graduate of South Mecklenburg High School.
After enjoying the 10 days of leave allotted to graduates of recruit training, Hernandez will continue to build foundational Marine Corps skills at the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, North Carolina.