San Diego -- Tears and fear, to some, are signs of weakness. Recruit training is designed to remove fear and transform it into confidence, a trait instilled in all Marines.
During the 10th week of training, recruits must successfully rappel down a 70-foot tower and many must overcome their fear of heights. Recruits of Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, negotiated the rappel tower aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 31.
The rappel tower is a mental obstacle designed to give recruits a boost of confidence once completed. It helps recruits overcome their fear of heights and falling. However, it is also meant to teach recruits any mission can be accomplished.
"The rappel tower is designed to build confidence. At the beginning of recruit training, recruits are not confident in themselves, in their abilities," said Staff Sgt. Joshua P. Leblanc, chief drill instructor, Co. G, 2nd RTBn. "Confidence in your abilities is what makes a Marine successful."
Marines must have confidence in their abilities because they are expected to make and execute tough, ethical decisions. Subordinates depend on leaders to exude confidence in the decisions they make.
"As a leader, you need to be confident in your abilities for other people to follow you," said Leblanc, who was recently named the drill instructor of the year for 2nd Battalion.
The rappel tower is intimidating to some recruits, but that fear does not stop recruits from committing to training.
"I'm not 100 percent ok with heights. Once I got through it, I'm not as afraid of heights anymore," said Recruit Allen-Michael Kiley, Plt. 2142, Co. G,2nd RTBn. "This experience has built my confidence even more, which will help me as a leader."
Recruits are properly equipped with a safety harness, gloves and helmet. During their descent, drill instructors from Instruction Training Company, Support Battalion, are at the bottom of the tower holding on to the other end of the rope as a safety measure. The other end of the rope serves as a secondary brake system, in case recruits lose control.
Drill instructors demonstrate the secondary brake system by pretending they have lost control of their rope and are falling down the rappel tower. Then, other drill instructors at the bottom pull on their rope, which in turn, makes the free-falling drill instructor stop immediately.
Recruits see this demonstration so they know they can safely rappel down the tower which helps alleviate fears and insecurities to allow them to complete the obstacle.
Once the rappel tower is complete, recruits move on to the final stage of training.With only two weeks before graduation, recruits of Co. G can conquer their next obstacle in training and confidently continue on their way to becoming United States Marines.