San Diego -- “Fire team, prepare to rush!” shouted the fire team leader. Immediately after running, recruits dived for cover behind a set of logs. The same command was shouted and moments later they progressed forward. Moving past one obstacle and on to the next, they came across a razor sharp barrier—barbed wire. Recruits pressed their rifles up against the wire and low-crawled on their backs. Once recruits reached the other side they then fixed bayonets.
This was the scene as recruits attacked what is known as the Bayonet Assault Course. The course is used to simulate amphibious landings the Marine Corps has used in past campaigns. Recruits of Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, used basic small-unit tactics to complete the BAC aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot March 19.
The purpose of the BAC is to allow recruits to work as a fire team and communicate under a high level of stress. These skills are necessary to learn during recruit training in order to become a Marine.
. Recruits are taught to use their M16-A4 service rifle as a close-combat weapon with a fixed bayonet. Throughout recruit training recruits are exposed to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, where they learn basic hand-to-hand combat techniques.
MCMAP instructors teach recruits techniques and how to use a rifle as a weapon once ammunition is spent. It is important for recruits to learn these techniques should the need of hand-to-hand combat arise during combat operations.
“Recruits have to come together, overcome and accomplish their assigned mission as a team. Mentally they have to push themselves and members of their teams," said Gunnery Sgt. Marshall Rojas, chief drill instructor, lead series, Co. L, 3rd RTBn. “Recruits need a basic understanding that during beach landings there will be obstacles in the way. More than anything, they have to work as a team.”
Once the BAC is complete, recruits face each other in hand-to-hand during an event known as pugil sticks.
Recruits are paired off into different weight classes ensuring fairness equipped with a pugil stick and protective gear. Once the fighting begins, a MCMAP instructor determines the winner depending on which recruit landed the first fatal blow.
Recruits are trained to give their best effort during the match until someone is declared victorious.
“It’s practice for combat so we have to keep a combat mindset and give it our best effort,” said Recruit Fineaeus S. Hunt, Plt. 3243, Co. L, 3rd RTBn.“It’s incredibly physical but you have to keep pushing. It gives you a good idea of what combat is going to be like.”
Throughout recruit training recruits build up their stamina, endurance, strength, communication and leadership skills in order to successfully complete recruit training. The BAC is one of many training events recruits go through in preparation for the ultimate goal--the title Marine.