PEEKSKILL – Marines Private First Class Christian Clemente and Private Byron Ritch graduated from recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C, after 13 weeks of the Nation’s most intense military recruit training. Both Marines are natives of Newburgh, N.Y., and 2015 graduates of Newburgh Free Academy.
The Marine Corps and MCRD Parris Island welcomed Clemente, Ritch and several-hundred others into its ranks during a ceremony honoring the Nation’s newest Marines on Oct. 2, 2015.
Marine Corps recruit training entails focus in physical fitness, marksmanship, drill and ceremony, and Marine Corps knowledge.
After recruit training, new Marines are granted a leave period of 10 days to rest, relax, and reconnect with friends and family at home. Clemente and Ritch resided in Newburgh until Oct. 12, 2015 before departing for the Marine Corps School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, N.C.
Clemente is slated to acquire a military occupational specialty in administration. Ritch will be an infantryman.
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