San Diego -- Marching, drill instructor motivation and obstacle courses are parts of recruit training. Recruits received a dose of both drill instructor encouragement and obstacle course exercises aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Feb. 28.
Prior to attempting the obstacle course, recruits were required to run approximately a half mile and perform combat carries such as the fireman’s carry and buddy drag.
Although drill instructors attempted to partner recruits according to similar weight, it wasn’t uncommon to see a recruit struggling with someone much heavier than themselves. Despite their physical duress, recruits understood the message behind the training.
“In a combat situation they could be a lot heavier than you and then you have to account for all the gear they would be wearing,” explained Recruit Corey R. Gonzalez, Plt. 1067, Co D, 1st RTBn.
Despite the reasoning, the knowledge didn’t make the training any less difficult for recruits.
“For me, buddy dragging and the fireman’s carry was the hardest part,” said Recruit Eddie A. Robinson, Plt. 1067, Co D, 1st RTBn. “The person I had to carry was about 15 pounds heavier than me and you just have to push yourself through it.”
Robinson explained the drill instructors ordering them to “keep going!” helped at times.
Following their warm-ups, recruits lined up beaded in sweat for the obstacle course. Recruits were then required to hurdle over logs, pull themselves up, over and down bars of varying in height and finished with a rope climb.
Although many recruits wished their physical training was over, it wasn’t. Drill instructors ordered their recruits to push through the obstacle course once more.
“It’s a defining moment,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy R. Jackson, senior drill instructor, Plt. 1065, Co. D, 1st RTBn. “Some recruits lack confidence and we try and motivate them to get through the obstacles. Hopefully them getting through the obstacle course will give them confidence that will get them through recruit training.”
For many, that defining moment came at the very end of the obstacle course when recruits were required to climb up and down the rope. Although recruits learned rope climbing techniques such as the wrap-around and J-hook, fatigue challenged recruits like a strong ocean current to a swimmer.
“The rope was the hardest part,” said Gonzalez. “You’re already tired and you have to use the last bit of your strength to finish. I was about three-fourths of the way up and my arms started to give out. I was scared I was going to fall down.”
Although Gonzalez ultimately fell a portion of the ways down, he was not injured. Shredded pieces of rubber surround the floor around the ropes and protect recruits from injury. In addition to the rubber, navy hospital corpsmen watch over all training events aboard the depot.
Whether motivated by drill instructors, combat readiness or family, it appeared all recruits utilized some sort of motivation to finish strong.
For Jackson, a Springfield, Ill. native, his motivation came from his family.
“I’m the bread winner for my family,” said the 20-years old Jackson. “I have to support my brothers and my mom. My motivation through this has been my goal of improving our finances and making our lifestyle better than what it is.”