Each year, about 20,000 Marine Corps recruits come to Parris Island, South Carolina, to endure a 13-week gauntlet that determines whether or not they will indeed become devil dogs.
But before they get into the nitty-gritty of the physical and mental challenges of boot camp, would-be Marines have to say goodbye to their hair.
The recruit training hair cut is a rite of passage. These are some of the best photos of the worst Parris Island barber shop experiences of all time.
Sarah Sicard is a Senior Editor with Military Times. She previously served as the Digitial Editor of Military Times and the Army Times Editor. Other work can be found at National Defense Magazine, Task & Purpose, and Defense News.
Gen. CQ Brown said military leaders are working closely with Israeli forces to ensure U.S. troops are kept safe during their humanitarian mission in Gaza.