San Diego -- Endurance, one of the leadership traits all Marines must have, is defined as the mental and physical stamina that is measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and hardship. In recruit training, recruits’ endurance to withstand the mental and physical aspect of a challenge can be completely different as they face obstacles throughout training.
For recruits of Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, their mental and physical endurance was in top shape as they tested their strength and endurance in the Combat Fitness Test aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Oct. 11.
“For something that equals under a time limit of ten minutes all together, it’s very challenging, said Recruit Christopher K. Xiong, guide, Platoon 2142. “It opens up my eyes to what Marines go through, and it motivates me to keep pushing.”
The CFT has three events which include: movement-to-contact, ammunition-can lifts and maneuver-under-fire.
“It’s breathtaking, but fun at the same time,” said Recruit Sergio De La Cruz, guide, Plt. 2141. “The mental aspect of it is definitely tougher than physically. You’re being challenged as you run through and it hurts and you want to quit but you can’t. You’re almost done, so you might as well put out all the way to the end.”
Movement to contact is an 880-yard run in boots and utility trousers. The second portion of the test involves raising a 30-pound ammunition-can, fully extending the arms upward for two minutes, earning points for the number of lifts done in the given time.
The last part of the test consists of a 25-yard crawl, hauling a simulated casualty using two different carries over 75 yards through cones, a sprint while carrying two 30-pound ammunition cans over 75 yards through the same cones, throwing a dummy hand grenade into a marked circle 22.5 yards away, 3 pushups and a sprint with the ammo cans to the finish line.
“As I went through it, I was thinking I’m tired, but I can’t give up. I have to beat the person next to me,” said Recruit Justin Quintanilla, guide, Plt. 2143. “As a leader, my performance doesn’t just represent me; how well I do represents my platoon. I set an example for all of the recruits in 2143.”
The CFT is more dynamic and anaerobic which gives a broader spectrum of physical fitness.
“It’s just like the motto goes, pain is weakness leaving the body, and it’s true, you can definitely tell in the CFT,” said Xiong, the White Bear Lake, Minn. Native.
The CFT was another final event recruit needed to complete before graduation. Overall it has improved their combat readiness and will allow them to be better prepared, should they earn the title Marine.