San Diego -- Sixty-feet may seem high to some recruits, but it’s still 60 feet recruits are required to rappel and fast rope down from -- regardless of their fears.
Recruits of Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, learned how to rappel and fast rope down a 60-foot tower aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Jan. 7.
Rappelling is bounding off the side of a wall using a harness and fast roping is sliding straight down without one. Fast roping is a technique utilized in helicopters.
After recruits received a safety brief and were inspected for proper wear of equipment, recruits lined up the steps to the top of the Marine tower. Mixed faces showered the line, some recruits looked scared and some appeared excited.
“It’s a bit scary to look at,” said Recruit DeForrest B. Key, Platoon 3271, Co. M. 3rd RTBn. “I’m a little nervous; the anticipation is hard. There’s no coming back down though, you have to trust in yourself and each other.”
Recruits wore helmets, gloves and were attached to a rope harness. Marine drill instructors were posted below and atop the tower to guide recruits and ensure their safety. Lastly, the floor surrounding the tower is compossed of shredded rubber.
Still despite all the safety precautions and knowledge given to recruits, one thing remained the same, the wall was still 60-feet tall which appeared much taller for recruits afraid of heights.
There are always a few recruits who are terrified of the exercise but there is never a recruit who comes back down the stairs, explained Staff Sgt. Michael A. Miranda, drill instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Bn.
“I’ve never had a recruit walk back down and not (rappel),” said Miranda, a static rope sustainment trainer. “It has to do with walking them through the steps. No way, shape or form are we yelling on top of the tower. It’s already stressful as is; we talk to them and let them know it’s alright.”
One by one recruits rappelled down and fast ropped down the tower. Although some recruits struggled at times, no recruits quit the exercise.
The instructor’s knowledge and guidance helped put recruits minds at ease, explained Recruit Wes Laughlin, Plt. 3271, Co. M, 3rd RTBn.
“I’ve done rock climbing, but it’s nothing like rappelling,” said Laughlin. “I’m still a little nervous though because I haven’t done it before.”
Approximately 217 recruits learned two different ways to scale down a 60-foot tower. Should the situation arise for either fast roping or rappelling, these recruits now have a foundation to work upon.