San Diego -- Recruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, were tested on basic Marine knowledge in the practical performance test during recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Nov. 19.
The purpose of the practical performance evaluation is to ensure recruits comprehend the basics such as rank structure, general orders, leadership principles, uniforms and basic combat first-aid.
Recruits first took the comprehensive exam before performing the hands-on portion of the test. The written portion consisted of questions on history, weapons, land navigation and other knowledge recruits study over the course of the 12-week training schedule.
“They did pretty good overall,” said Sgt. Gabriel V. Gutierrez, academic instructor, Instructional Training Battalion, Support Battalion. “There’s always room for improvement though. They can always try to become more confident in their training.”
Recruits formed an assembly line and moved from one section to the next. The first stop was rank structure, general orders and leadership traits. Several booths lined up next to each other with posters and magnets hung up in each one.
Recruits had to match the magnets with the right information on the posters such as rank. The rank was written out along the magnet and recruits had to place the right magnet next to the image of the rank.
“It’s important that we know rank structure and all the basic knowledge that we were taught here so it can help us when we get out into the fleet and throughout out Marine Corps careers,” said Recruit Israel Nicholas Garcia, Platoon 1029, Co. B.
After recruits passed the first portion they were then instructed to move on to the next portion where they would perform basic combat first-aid—what some recruits would say is the hardest part, according to Recruit Andrew T. Erickson, Plt. 1029.
“The combat care scenarios were the most difficult thing,” said Erickson, a Bigfork, Mont., native. “Other than that, nothing else was really too difficult.”
Recruits were instructed to move in front of a simulated casualty and demonstrate the proper combat care technique. If completed properly, recruits were allowed to move on. Scenarios included a chemical burn, sunken chest wound and an open fracture.
“Basic combat first-aid sets a foundation for more advanced training in the fleet,” said Gutierrez, a Ft. Worth, Texas native. “The drill instructors did a good job reiterating the information and grinding into their brain.”
With enough confidence built up from their drill instructors, recruits of company B completed the test and continued on with their last few weeks of training.
“Our drill instructors prepared us well enough for the comprehensive exam and practical performance, said Erickson. “While in the squad bay, we gathered in groups to practice scenarios and overall it prepared the platoon well enough.”