Norwich — U.S. Marine Corps recruits were jogging around Chelsea Parade as they worked out together Thursday.

In various stages of their commitment, they meet every Tuesday and Thursday, weather permitting, to stay or get in shape for boot camp. As they do, they encourage one another.

"I like motivating everyone, it's great!" said Charles Smith of Westerly, who was giving a thumbs-up to fellow recruits as he ran with them. He doesn't have a ship-out date yet.

Dakota Burns, 17, graduated from Norwich Free Academy in June and is headed to San Diego State in the fall on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Andrew Wigfield, 17, is a rising senior at Montville High School and will head to boot camp next summer.

Nate Aubin of Plainfield joined the recruits as a guest. He’s working on losing weight to meet the Marine Corps standards before he can enlist. The recruits gathered around him and cheered him on as he was working to complete his final lap Thursday.

Their workout consisted of 10 laps around the parade, with a stop for burpees between laps.

Recruiting Sgts. Andrew Ghataora and Laura Hernandez oversaw the workout, providing instruction and some motivation to the recruits.