In April 2016, reporter Ashley Miller and I traveled to San Diego as we followed local teachers from Iowa as they participated in the U.S. Marine Corps. educators workshop, where they were given a first-hand view of what a recruit goes through to become a Marine, the idea being that they can better inform their students back home who may be interested in joining.

In a week’s time, Ashley and I were able to witness and document what a recruit experiences from the moment they step off the bus onto the yellow footprints at the Marine Corps. Recruit Depot, from recruits finishing their 54-hour training exercise called the Crucible, from which they earn their eagle, globe and anchor, to graduation day.