Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Modern combat still requires the use of hand-to-hand techniques. When the ammunition runs out, one needs to be prepared to fight an enemy combatant with any means necessary. The basic level of training takes place at recruit training, where recruits take the first step of expanding their warrior knowledge.
Recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, earned their tan belt during the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program test aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 12.
“The purpose is to test recruits’ knowledge, understanding and proficiency in MCMAP,” said Sgt. Jason M. May, drill instructor, Platoon 3274. “It’s also a graduation requirement to ensure recruits obtain the minimum Marine Corps standards, which is the tan belt syllabus.”
During the event, recruits were broken down into groups of 20 and assigned a drill instructor from Instructional Training Company, who conducted the test. The ITC instructor called out techniques recruits needed to execute in order to advance, and Mike Company showed up ready for the challenge.
“Some recruits had some trouble with retention of some techniques, but overall we came prepared,” said Recruit Curtis M. Mickelson, Plt. 3274. “We received a lot of remediation while up at Camp Pendleton, and a little over the past two days, so it helped keep things fresh in our minds.”
The MCMAP test rewards recruits with their first belt in the colored belt level system, the tan belt. Once they reach the Fleet Marine Force, recruits can continue their training to earn the higher levels of gray, green, brown, and various degrees of the black belt. For Mike Company though, it was about teaching the basics.
“Without this test there would be no baseline to show that recruits retained the technique, and then end up going to the (Fleet Marine Force) without the proper skills to be a Marine,” said Mickelson, a Sandpoint, Idaho, native who was recruited from Recruiting Substation Portland, Ore. “Whether they end up getting deployed or not, they need to be prepared. Successfully passing the event also helps build confidence in the recruits with their ability to protect one’s self.”
Mickelson explained that he had training in martial arts before joining the Corps and wasn’t nervous this time around. However, he remembered his first test being very stressful, and knew a lot of the recruits going through the MCMAP test felt that same way.
Through the physical conditioning and warrior ethos mental training, MCMAP offers recruits a multitude of opportunities to learn and grow to become the Marine warrior they’re striving to be.
“It’s about building a foundation of what it takes to be a Marine,” said May, a Bergenfield, N.J., native. “It’s an important skillset for each Marine that you need to implement at the ground level.”