Two local residents have completed 12 weeks of basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

Marine Corps Pvt. Michael Schweikarth is the son of Elaine and Larry Schweikarth of Irwin.

Marine Corps Pvt. Joshua T. Seabol, is the son of Jodi Shidel of West Newton and Ronald Seabol of North Huntingdon.

In addition to the physical conditioning program, Schweikarth and Seabol spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments, which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training.

Schweikarth and Seabol also received instruction on the Marine Corps' core values --honor, courage and commitment -- and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.

The recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in a ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem and addressed as Marines for the first time in their careers.