San Diego -- After 61 training days of overcoming mental and physical challenges, recruits of Company K, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion finally made it to the culminating event of recruit training, the Crucible.
During the 54-hour training event, recruits face stress and fatigue during different events, some individual and others requiring teamwork.
After a safety brief given by the instructors, recruits helped one another suit up with gloves, head protection and groin protection, preparing them for body sparring at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Although the recruits have never sparred during recruit training, they have been introduced to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program during Phase One.
They have continued to learn and reinforce basic self-defense techniques, such as proper stance, blocking and striking throughout training.
There are five belts in MCMAP: tan, grey, green, brown, and black. Tan belt is the first of the five belts and is crucial to laying the foundation on which Marines build on as they move higher in MCMAP.
“Body sparring is part of the MCMAP tan belt syllabus,” said Sgt. Joseph Stoker, drill instructor, Platoon 3235, Co. K, 3rd RTBn. “It is essential in introducing recruits into intrapersonal violence. A lot of recruits come to recruit training and haven’t seen or experienced a fight; it gets them used to throwing and taking a punch.”
As they enter the ring, they must rely on the knowledge and skills they’ve accumulated throughout training to defend themselves and defeat their opponent.
“It benefits recruits because it not only teaches them how to punch and kick, it also teaches them the disciplines that go along with (MCMAP); character, mental and physical disciplines,” explained Stoker. “With the techniques that they’ve learned comes great responsibility to use them wisely because they are now trained to utilize the techniques and will be held accountable if they’re used in an improper manner.”
Sparring not only teaches recruits how to fight and defend themselves, it reinforces the self-confidence they’ve gained during their stay at the Depot.
As they finished sparring, feeling more confident, Co. K moved on to their next event motivated and knowing they were closer to earning their Eagle, Globe and Anchors and the title “Marine.”