Educators get a taste of the Marine Corps

Michael Romero, a fitness instructor at Gertz Ressler Charter High School in Los Angeles, pumps a 30-pound ammunition can during a timed physical training exercise at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

California teachers and counselors answer “Yes sir!” in unison as a Marine drill instructor barks out instructions when their bus arrives at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Teachers spend four days watching training and talking to Marines and senior officers.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Drill instructors bark orders to get their guests to line up in a squad bay at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

California teachers and counselors watch recruits line up in formation outside the mess hall.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Staff Sgt. James McFalin, a senior drill sergeant, gets a few laughs as he talks about recruit training.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

California teachers and counselors assume variations of “attention!” just after arrival at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego for a week-long look at how the Marines transform civilians into fighting men.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

California educators and Marine recruits line up heel to toe at the chow hall for the midday meal at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Marty Garrison, the athletic director at John Burroughs High School in Burbank shakes hands with Pvt. Jose Ramirez, a new recruit from Hollywood.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

A teacher snaps a cellphone picture in a room where new Marine recruits are “welcomed” into the Corps.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

California teachers and counselors line up on the yellow footprints moments after arrival at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Men and women congratulate themselves after running and crawling through an obstacle course while dressed in fatigues, flak jacket, helmet and rifle.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)