Marine Corps Recruit Depot

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Those who qualify for a spot in training to become a United States Marine come to realize that the mental and physical tolls go hand in hand. Recruits are expected to find the motivation to get them through each day while working to grow and meet future goals they set for themselves.

To assist them in their efforts to better themselves, recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion maneuvered through the Bases and Circuit Course event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 2.

Although recruits conduct physical training every day with their drill instructors, they also participate in various events that are designed to push them to get the most out of the workout.

The recruits started off with the bases portion of the event. Several stations were set up around a football field, each designated for a specific exercise. A group of recruits were each paired up with a drill instructor who led them through the event. The chief drill instructor leading the training session blew his whistle every two minutes, indicating to change stations.

“It’s not just physical fatigue we face here,” said Recruit Joshua C. Wiggins, Mike Company. “There’s a great deal of mental challenge we have to deal with as well, and a lot of it has to do with confidence. Many of the recruits here lack confidence, and I think these physical training sessions help us work on that.”

During the event, recruits conducted sprints, bicycle kicks, ammunition can lifts and planks, just to name a few. When the recruits reached a new station, drill instructors demonstrated the next exercise before allowing them to start.

The event lasted for an hour, and after that they immediately ran to the next area of training where they tackled the circuit course.

“You have to push yourself as far as you can go when you’re here,” said Wiggins, native of Oregon, Ill. “It’s important to try and find your true limits and work to reach them. You have to try and accomplish that.”

A few of the exercises during the circuit course were lifting weights, jumping rope and conducting pull-ups. Drill instructors motivated any recruits who were having a hard time completing the exercises.

To finish the event, recruits conducted a maximum amount of ammunition can lifts with a partner. To complete the workout, recruits formed up in their platoons and conducted a cool down session with stretches led by their chief drill instructor.

“It was a big change of pace when I got here, just a real drastic overhaul,” said 23 year-old Wiggins. “Before I got here I felt stuck, so in a way, this was a fresh start for me. This is what I wanted.”