San Diego -- After 60 training days the recruits of Company E finally made it to the culminating event of recruit training, the Crucible. During the 54-hour training event, recruits are tested both physically and mentally. They must rely on the knowledge they’ve accumulated throughout training as well as each other.
On a warm early afternoon, you could hear recruits of Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion marching their way through the hills of Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., toward their next Crucible event, body sparring.
"This is their first time in the ring," said Sgt. Rigoberto Melendez, Plt. 2111, Co. E, 2nd RTBn. "They learned (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) but haven't sparred yet."
After a safety brief given by the instructors, recruits helped one another suit up with gloves, head protection and groin protection. Although the recruits have not sparred before today, through MCMAP they have learned self-defense techniques such as proper stance, blocking and striking.
Recruits helped one another practice MCMAP during their free time by reviewing moves and giving constructive criticism, according to Hughes. All the time spent practicing is tested when they enter the ring.
"Today I had to spar my best friend and I beat him," said Hughes. "I felt good knowing that I was better than him in this event. It helped me be more confident."
Sparring not only teaches recruits how to fight and defend themselves, it reinforces the importance of being prepared.
“It trains us to be able to fight in a close combat situation in case we run out of ammunition or anything like that,” said Hughes. “I think it’s really good because most of the training focuses on our weapon and if that fails you’re going to need a secondary form of protection.”
As their knowledge and skills were put to the test in the ring, recruits built on a trait important in those types of situations.
"They gain a lot of confidence because most of them have never been in a fight," said Melendez. "It helps expose them and teaches them what to expect. It's very important to build that self-confidence when fighting."
Another character trait that was reinforced through sparring was adaptability.
"It makes you think faster. You have to think on your feet," said Hughes. "You can't just stand there and think about what you're going to do next, you have to move quickly and react quickly just like you would have to in combat."
As they finished sparring, feeling more confident, recruits moved on to their next event motivated in knowing they were that much closer to earning the title “Marine”.