US-MARINES-RECRUIT-GENDER

Tears form in the eyes of a Marine as drill instructor Sgt. Ikea Kaufman (L) presents a United States Marine Corps (USMC) recruit from Lima Company, the first gender integrated training class in San Diego, their Eagle, Globe, and Anchor pin to officially become a US Marine after completing a 9.7 mile hike on Edson Range to the top of a mountain called The Reaper, during The Crucible, the final part of phase three of recruit training on April 22, 2021 at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California. - Lima Company is the first gender integrated company with a female platoon training alongside male platoons at the west coast Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego (MCRDSD). The Crucible is the final 54-hour test for the recruits, where upon completion the recruits will receive their eagle, globe, and anchor pin to officially become US Marines. Recruits had to spend two weeks in quarantine before beginning training due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Congress ordered the Marine Corps to fully integrate women into its west coast training battalions by 2028 under the National Defense Authorization Act. Women make up about 9 percent of the Marine Corps. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)