Mitchell Clarke graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps boot camp n San Diego on Aug. 22. After his leave, Clarke returns to Camp Pendleton to complete two months in the Corps’ School of Infantry.

In January, he plans to transfer to Louisiana State University to complete his education. He will be attached to a reserve unit in Baton Rouge.

Clarke’s 13 weeks of boot camp training included intense physical training through confidence courses, martial arts, rappelling, swim qualifications, rifle qualifications, simulated combat, hikes, runs, first aid, field training, land navigation, team-building, and Marine Corps values and history all taught by the infamous Marine Corps drill instructors. He then had to pass the Crucible — a 54-hour exercise of physical and mental strength that emphasizes teamwork, determination and discipline.

Pfc. Clarke is a 2007 graduate of Napa High School and completed one year at Napa Valley College prior to enlisting in the Marines. He is the son of Eric and Sandy Clarke and grandson of Norman and Betty Sparby, all of Napa, and grandson of Donald and Rachel Clarke of Twain Harte.