Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

San Diego --     Amidst their busy schedule, recruits of Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, stacked their weapons and neatly filed into a classroom aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Dec. 10.
    Once in the classroom, they quickly settled in and the academic instructor introduced himself before starting the hour-long class with a clip of the movie "Pearl Harbor." 
    "Today in class we were taught about World War II," said Recruit Spencer Goodrun, Platoon 2155, Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. "We learned about the role of the Marine Corps, the different battles and Marines that received awards for heroic actions.”
    During the Marine Corps History III class, the instructor spoke about Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Guam, Tarawa and Iwo Jima. 
    Learning about the struggles and triumphs Marines faced through history is important because it helps recruits gain a different perspective, according to Goodrun.
    There are six phases of Marine Corps history classes which encompass everything from the birth of the Marine Corps to the recent war in Iraq and current operations in Afghanistan. However, the knowledge isn’t only taught in the classroom.     
    Throughout training, drill instructors help recruits review, understand and reinforce the information learned which helps prepare them for the comprehensive test on Training Day 55. 
    "It's important for not only recruits to know this information but for Marines too," said Sgt. Pablo Montaño, academic instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Bn. "It keeps us up to date and fresh with how the Marine Corps came about, our traditions and history. It helps pass on our culture and instills pride in recruits and Marines alike." 
    The pride also brings motivation to recruits and helps them gain new perspective to face difficult challenges, according to Montaño. 
    Recruits learn about many different subjects throughout recruit training.
    "We cover a wide spectrum of classes," said Montaño. "We teach everything from general military studies and history to combat first aid and financial classes. These classes not only help set them up for a good Marine Corps career, they also help set them up in life." 
    All of the knowledge gained in recruit training will stay with the recruits long after they graduate and become Marines.
    "It makes me feel really good to know that I can leave an imprint on the recruits," said Montaña. "I sat in these same seats six years ago and now I've come full circle. I’m standing at the podium teaching the recruits through my experiences, it’s amazing."