SAN DIEGO (AP) — The newest Marine recruit in San Diego is 6 months old and has four legs.
The corps says Pfc. Smedley Butler — an English bulldog — graduated Friday with Kilo Company in a ceremony at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Smedley is the newest depot mascot, replacing Cpl. Belleau Wood, who retired this spring. He’s one of three official Marine Corps mascots and is named after a highly-decorated major general who commanded the depot.
Smedley underwent obedience training and received his own Eagle, Globe and Anchor insignia on Sept. 11, just as two-legged recruits received theirs after grueling training.
U-T San Diego (http://bit.ly/1yjSFyU ) says Smedley’s emblem was tucked into the pocket of his camouflage uniform and he barked along as recruits sang the Marine Corps hymn.
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