MCRD San Diego -- The natural progression of a platoon aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego usually starts out the same way. “Too many chiefs, not enough indians,” is a frequent phrase heard throughout training.
Diverse personalities and attitudes are all thrown into one, very stressful environment. But young men that come from states west of the Mississippi River all have one common goal, which is to earn the title Marine.
“Every cycle, we have recruits come from different walks of life,” said Sgt. Mark Peters, drill instructor, Platoon 3233, Company K, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. “They’re a product of their environment and we’re here to transform them from civilian to recruit and then train them to be a Marine.”
Phase One of training is known as the “breakdown” phase. The transformation helps drill instructors identify recruits; from their natural leadership skills, to where they came from and why they decided to enlist. They use that information to drive the platoon, explained Peters, a 27-year-old Chicago native.
“Most recruits lack discipline and are already set in their ways before coming to training,” said Peters. “We figure out their strengths and weaknesses and that helps develop the platoon.”
From the very beginning of recruit training, a guide and four squad leaders are appointed by drill instructors to help lead the platoon. The guide is the recruit that shows the most leadership skills and is able to move the platoon in a fair but stern manner.
Squad leaders are put in charge of one of four squads and are there to assist the guide. Through this, recruits learn what small unit leadership is and are able to delegate tasks.
The idea sounds easy, but the different personalities and backgrounds of each recruit make it difficult to work together at first.
“In the beginning, there were tons of personality clashes; everybody wanted to be a leader,” said Recruit Cody Lambson, squad leader, Plt. 3233. “Once we all become aware of our roles, it became easier to lead and come together.”
The guide and squad leaders of Plt. 3233 explained that the platoon came together around the end of Phase Two, where the recruits endured a week in the field at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
“Second phase is when the recruits start to hold themselves accountable,” explained Peters. “By now, the guide and squad leaders begin to understand their roles and learn to lead by example.”
Peters states the leadership roles of the platoon have been filled appropriately. The guide must learn to utilize his squad leaders in order to get any task, big or small, done.
“I learned how to issue orders to my squad leaders to help make my job easier,” said Rct. Timothy Hodapp, guide, Plt. 3233. “Delegating tasks got us (the platoon) one step ahead of the drill instructors, which made us look better in their eyes.”
The guide and squad leaders soon learned ways to get every recruit on the same page in order to function as a platoon. The recruits explain that the camaraderie built through their week of training in the field is what brought them all together.
“By that time, we were sharpening ourselves and getting more into the training,” said Taylor Henry, squad leader, Plt. 3233. “What brought us together was sticking together and being out in the field.”
With the progression and camaraderie Company K has established throughout training, the recruits believe they will be able carry these traits in the fleet.
“We’ve all seen each other at our very worst, and seen each other at our best,” said Rct. Jeffery Lee, squad leader, Plt. 3233. “We will all have this link from training that will never go away.”
Platoon 3233 and the rest of Company K are now finishing their third phase of training. They’ve come together and endured the Crucible, a 54-hour field training exercise. They have earned their Eagle, Globe and Anchors and are scheduled to graduate recruit training July 27.