Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

As the recruits of Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, prepare to graduate June 19, only one of them will earn the title of Iron Man.

The Iron Man title is awarded to the recruit with the best physical performance of the company. During training, recruits are given  physical fitness tests that are comprised of a maximum set of pull-ups, a timed three-mile run and maximum set of crunches in two minutes. This PFT is not only a training requirement, but is also used to determine the company’s most physically fit.

Private Ryley K. Absher completed 32 dead-hang pull-ups, 156 crunches and completed the run in 17:30 which was more than enough to beat his peers.

Although Absher remained humble and attributed his accomplishment largely to his upbringing, his senior drill instructor noted the significance of the feat.

“I think it’s an accomplishment that not many will achieve,” said Staff Sgt. Edward Lathan, senior drill instructor. “The hard work that he put in before boot camp and during is the pinnacle of leadership and an example (for others to follow).”

Absher explained he has continually improved his physical fitness throughout his life, and it was because of this he was able to perform at such a high level.

“I spent most of my time growing up in the outdoors, either working on a farm or building my endurance for soccer,” said 18-year-old Absher. “If I wasn’t outside, then I was competing for wrestling. Wrestling physically and mentally built me to push my body further and harder than I ever thought was possible. When you think your body is about to shut down, you have to push through it. That’s what molds you into a mentally stronger person.”

Absher said he attributes his love of athletics, team camaraderie and fitness that inspired him to join the Marine Corps.

“I wanted to be a part of the best fighting force in this brotherhood we call the Marine Corps,” said Absher.

It was not long after arriving at the depot that he found what he was looking for in recruit training when he was challenged with the PFT and found the camaraderie he was looking for with his fellow recruits.

“One stick is fairly easy to break,” said Absher. “When you put a bunch of sticks together, then it becomes a lot harder to break. That is what the Marine Corps is. We stand together, fight together and push each other to new levels of physical and mental strength.”

Absher explained he believes his accomplishment with physical fitness is important because Marines are frequently placed in physically demanding situations.          

“Sometimes Marines hike several miles with 100 pounds of gear on their backs to reach mission accomplishment,” said Absher.