Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

In many combat situations, Marines face physical and mental fatigue as well as confusion or “fog of war.” From the very early stages of recruit training, recruits are pushed through situations where they are uncomfortable, tired and drained, but it is only to prepare them for the future.

Recruits of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, increased their mental and physical stamina when they completed the Obstacle Course twice at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 2.

During recruit training, each recruit must complete the O-Course, a series of obstacles that includes hurdling over logs and climbing over bars and walls, saving their last bit of energy they had to climb a 24-foot rope at the end.

The course is designed to build confidence in recruit’s strength and ability, explained Sgt. Greg A. Dolgner, senior drill instructor, Platoon 1011.

“It’s not as easy as it looks,” said Dolgner, a native of Mont Belvieu, Texas. “Many challenges that recruits face is their inability to climb the rope after they are tired from the rest of the course.”

Since recruits already ran through the course once before, they used their memories to execute each obstacle.

When the event began, those waiting in line ran in place, yelled cadence and clapped their hands to keep themselves warmed up for the course.

“The rope climb at the end was really tough,” said Recruit Nicholas A. Dietzler, Plt. 1011. “As much as I tried to use the techniques, my arms were still limp and numb.”

This was the second iteration of the course, and the recruits were only expected to climb three quarters of the rope because following the last obstacle they immediately sprinted to perform the fireman’s carry and buddy drags.

“By far the hardest thing to do was the fireman carries and buddy drags at the end,” said Dietzler, a native of Green Bay, Wis. “I could barely get up the rope let alone carry another recruit, but I knew what I had to do and why I was in recruit training in the first place. That is what kept me going.”

At the end of the course, recruits were fatigued but learned how to push pass their limit.

“Every time they run the course, it will get easier for them,” said 34 -year-old Dolgner. “They will be amazed when they see what they can do at the end of recruit training.”

This will not be the last time recruits must face the O-Course. They will execute the course three more times during the training cycle, including one time during the Crucible where they will be wearing gear and carrying rifles while conquering each obstacle.

“This course will help us work better under stress,” said 28- year-old Dietzler. “When we are in a situation where we are tired, we will know how to persevere and push through it.”