San Diego, Calif. -- Confidence is a trait that Marines display on a daily basis. It is the feeling of one's powers on a certain situation and the belief that they will act in a proper and effective way.
Company F, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, tested their strength June 4 at the low-obstacle portion of the Confidence Course during their third week aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
“The purpose of the confidence course is to negotiate low and high obstacles and to build upper-body strength, endurance and confidence,” said Sgt. Andrew Brown, martial arts instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion.
The Confidence Course is an event that requires recruits to use their physical and mental strength to overcome each obstacle. Monkey bars and walls to lofty towers are just some of the difficult obstacles that recruits will face.
“This is just an introduction to confidence; once the recruits know they can accomplish these lower obstacles, they take a look at the higher ones and say ‘I’ve achieved this, I can do the higher obstacles,’” said Staff Sgt. Adrian Cardenas, drill instructor, Platoon 2123, Co. F, 2nd RTBn.
One week prior to the confidence course, Co. F was introduce to the “O-Course”, a series of elevated bars and logs, as well as walls that allow recruits to try different methods at climbing over them.
“Most of the recruits struggled with the “O-Course” because they have never seen obstacles like that before,” explained Cardenas. “Now that they are familiar with similar obstacles, they have an idea on how to overcome them.”
Recruits are split up into random groups that are guided by a drill instructor. Once in their group, they run and attempt complete each obstacle.
“I think the toughest challenge for the recruits is keeping up with the group,” said Brown. “They’re going to be tired from all the running in between each obstacle, but this is conditioning them for combat.”
While waiting for recruits to finish an obstacle, other recruits are required to perform fireman’s carries and buddy-drags until the group is done. Aside from learning the proper technique on how to perform the carries, recruits also learn how to push through pain and fatigue.
Endurance is another trait that Marines possess and the confidence course allows recruits to experience how much their bodies can handle.
“I feel that the confidence course puts us into check,” said Recruit Anthony West, Plt. 2121, Co. F. “It gives us that sense of reality when it comes to combat and dealing with being tired and pushing through it all.”
As recruits continue to use the last of their stamina to complete the course, they each learn about their strengths and weaknesses.
“I find it more mentally challenging than physical,” said West, a 23-year-old Ravenna, Texas native. “I’ve been humbled before in the physical aspect, so trying to keep up with the group and push through it mentally was the hardest part for me.”
The demanding low obstacles are the first half of the confidence course. The recruits of Co. F completed the second half of the confidence course the following week, where they were introduced to the higher obstacles. Co. F moves on through the cycle to continue their training to earn the title of United States Marine.