Did the new recruits come from 1977 or present day? I guess 1977 or they would be freaking. But they are coming from the "outside" world so they should be present day. Hurley did mention knowing who the president was in 1977, so they must be 1977. This must have happened many times! It all comes back around!

But they are coming from the "outside" world so they should be present day.

It doesn't seem that the island itself has traveled through time, it's that the people have gone back. So if someone from the island goes to the real world, or vice versa, they will be in 1977 in both places.

They came from 1977.

The other recruits are from 1977- they were on the submarine that's on a set bearing to reach the island correctly, just like Lapidus & the other freighter folk had use the bearing calculated by Daniel to reach the island.

They probably set sail from Portland too as it seems that as much as Ben & co hated the DI they seemed to utilize a lot of their equipment!

Ben talking and thinking this out more today - makes more sense. Thanks WWJD for putting it in simpler words! Thanks to all!