Newport News, Va., native a Marine Corps drill instructor on Parris Island, S.C. [Image 1 of 2]

PARRIS ISLAND, SC, UNITED STATES

11.28.2017

Photo by Cpl. Joseph Jacob 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island           

Staff Sgt. Tram A. Acosta currently serves as a senior drill instructor with Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Acosta joined the Marine Corps in August, 2010, and became a drill instructor in July 2015. “I wanted to become a drill instructor to be involved with the transformation of civilians into Marines.,” said Acosta, a 26-year-old native of Newport News, Va. “I wanted to influence recruits the same way that my drill instructors influenced me. I do everything that they did, how they did it. I still talk to my drill instructors to this day. My senior drill instructor is actually still my mentor and was the one who promoted me to staff sergeant. When I became a senior drill instructor, she told me ‘never forget where I came from, and train them as hard as possible, to remember whatever I do will have an impact on their lives.’” About 600 Marine Corps drill instructors shape the approximately 19,000 recruits who come to Parris Island annually into basic United States Marines. Parris Island is home to entry-level enlisted training for approximately 49 percent of male recruits and 100 percent of female recruits in the Marine Corps. (Photo composite by Cpl. Joseph Jacob)

• Date Taken: 11.28.2017
• Date Posted: 11.28.2017 16:11
• Photo ID: 3983152
• VIRIN: 171128-M-XY771-001
• Resolution: 1920x1920
• Size: 2.03 MB
• Location: PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US