Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

“It would help if you worked as a team,” yelled a drill instructor circling the recruits. He knew they wanted to quit, but he would not let them.

Recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, reinforced the importance of teamwork when they conducted log drill exercises at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 30.

Recruit Nathan G. Polezoes, Platoon 3270, explained how it was difficult because of the abilities of his teammates, or lack thereof.

“Once we began it was easy,” said Polezoes, a native of Crown Point, Ind. “As time went on, the weaker recruits started giving up, making it harder for the rest of us.”

During the exercise, recruits arranged themselves by height, but it still caused difficulties between them.

Polezoes explained how he tried to motivate his team and push them to keep moving on but even he was exhausted himself.

Before the event, recruits were ran in full camouflage utilities around the training area. While the event continued, recruits had to move quickly between each exercise, which caused more exhaustion on their bodies.

Each group of recruits worked through log exercises such as log push-ups, log squats and side benders.

“I make sure they are doing the exercises correctly as well as giving 100 percent during this event,” said Sgt. Alfredo O. Gutierrez, drill instructor, Platoon 3270. 

Gutierrez explained how recruits began to argue as they became more tired.

“I tell them to stop arguing and to work as a team,” said 31-year old Gutierrez.

Polezoes explained the squats were the most difficult part of the event because of how tired his legs already were. They made them a lot worse.

Early on in recruit training, recruits are tested on their abilities. Whether it is physical strength, mental strength or their abilities to work with others, the Long Beach, Calif., native explains all three are a large part of being a Marine.

“The Marine Corps as a whole, is a team,” said the drill instructor. “Events like this force the recruits to work together and let that one recruit take control and lead.”

Although Mike Company has passed log drills, they still have many more team building events before they earn the title Marine and apply the skills they learn here to their careers in the Corps.