Meet the newest Army recruits

Jamie Udet, 18, middle, of Myrtle Beach, joins other recruits as they try on their uniforms for the first time, Thursday, June 30, 2016. Soldiers-in-training do all their in-processing in the reception stage, which includes paperwork, medical/dental screenings, shots and haircuts. They are also issued their uniforms and dogtags and begin their orientation in Army procedures & values. Gerry Melendez gmelendez@thestate.com

BY JEFF WILKINSON [email protected] On July 4, 1776, representatives of the 13 American colonies declared independence from Great Britain.

Their confidence was buoyed by the stunning victory just seven days before by 400 soldiers of the Continental Army’s 2nd South Carolina Regiment on Sullivan’s Island. The small band, hunkered down behind a log and earthen fort at the entrance to Charleston Harbor, drove off the most powerful navy in the world.

Those South Carolinians were volunteers.

On this Independence Day weekend, 240 years later, many Americans will be cooking out, relaxing at the beach or watching fireworks to celebrate the holiday.

But another group of young South Carolina volunteers are in the midst of a grueling 10-week training cycle at Columbia’s Fort Jackson to become America’s newest soldiers.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/military/article87399187.html#storyli...