San Diego, Ca -- Throughout training, recruits are taught Marine Corps History. They learn everything from the birth of the Marine Corps to the recent war in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the knowledge isn’t only taught in the classroom.
On Training Day 56, recruits of Company K, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, spent the afternoon touring the museum aboard Marine Corp Recruit Depot San Diego June 12.
“Today we took the recruits around (the museum) for two hours,” said Brett Dingerson, a docent at the museum. “We spent 20 minutes at six different locations. Each location has a certain subject matter. For example, World War II, the Korean War, the Mexican American War, the Vietnam War, the history of the Marine Corps in San Diego, and the medals and decoration room.”
Visiting the museum gives recruits a different experience. It allows them to see artifacts and imagine how history actually unfolded, giving them greater insight on the events of the past. Instead of listening to an instructor read a power point, they get to hear more detailed stories from the museum docents, according to Recruit Dillon Adams, Platoon 3225, Co. K, 3rd RTBn.
The museum docents are veterans who volunteer their time to share history knowledge. Some have served in past wars and share their stories and experiences with the recruits.
“It’s really motivating to know that the men that are telling us the stories are veterans,” said Adams. “It’s an honor to be learning about the history and the legacy of the Marine Corps from them.”
Even though the docents only spend two hours with recruits, they take great pride in the history of the Marine Corps and United States and hope that they can leave a lasting impression.
“We try to peak their curiosity and hopefully they’ll come back and take some more time learning and researching subjects that are interesting to them. The Marine Corps has a very long, colorful, and proud history that should be known,” said Dingerson.
Some recruits arrive at the Depot with a good understanding of the Corps’ history and some arrive with no prior knowledge, however after enduring nearly three months at recruit training they gain a sense of pride.
“The only history I knew about the Marine Corps before coming to recruit training was the birthday,” said Adams. “Now I’m very emotionally attached. Although I’m not a Marine yet, I feel like I’m already a part of the Marine Corps because I share the same sense of pride, I want to learn everything and I want to be a good Marine.”
Like Adams, Recruit Marcos Bocanegra, Plt. 3225, Co. K, 3rd RTBn., not only learned new things, he also found a renewed drive to finish training.
“As I walked through the museum and looked at everything that happened throughout history, I became inspired,” said Bocanegra. “I found new motivation to help me through the Crucible. When I feel like giving up, I’ll remind myself about the day I spent in the museum, everything I learned and all those who came before me. No matter how tough it gets, I can’t quit. I just have to keep my head up.”