San Diego -- Marines are trained to be prepared for any combat situations they may find themselves in, including close combat with a bayonet and rifle.
Recruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, took their first strikes in Bayonet Techniques and Pugil Sticks training aboard the depot, Aug. 28.
Bayonet Techniques and Pugil Sticks are both part of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, which is taught throughout recruit training. It is meant to instill hand-to-hand combat skills.
“These techniques are the basic fundamentals on how to defend yourself against an enemy when either you run out of ammunition or your weapon malfunctions,” said Sgt. Richard E. Merryman, drill instructor, Platoon 1027.
During this event, recruits learned the vertical slash, horizontal and vertical butt stroke, disrupt, combat glide, and offensive and defensive maneuvers.
There are two different ways recruits are taught while in recruit training, verbally with demonstration and through repetition. Drill instructors prefer verbal method with demonstration because they can break down each part of the technique step by step, according to Merryman, a native of Washington D.C..
After the recruits are taught verbally and shown a demonstration, they repeat the move numerous times to ensure they understand how to properly perform it. Then they are put to the test.
Recruits went through the Bayonet Assault Course which contains obstacles, such as tires that resemble enemies and trenches that recruits must jump into in order to reach the target. Recruits work together as a team to help them understand the fundamentals of team work.
“We put them through half of the bayonet assault course so they can practice what they learned,” said Merryman. They will return in about a week or so to complete the course.”
Practicing these techniques gets the recruits ready for the main event of the day, Pugil Sticks I.
“Recruits always get excited to do Pugil Sticks,” said Recruit Devan R. Woodruff, guide, platoon 1027. “I was looking forward to it,”
During Pugil Sticks I, recruits put on protective gear such as a helmet, mouth guard, groin protector and flak jacket to battle another recruit within ten pounds of their weight. Recruits use a Pugil Stick, a stick with a cushion on each end, one red and one black. The red part simulates a bayonet on a rifle while the black part simulates the butt stock.
Each recruit has three 30 second matches, one for offense, one for defense and one for a free-for-all where the recruits battle each other using both their offensive and defensive techniques.
“Recruits are put in different positions to know how to react if they are defending themselves or being the attacker,” said Merryman.
There are three stages of bayonet techniques and Pugil Sticks in recruit training. Each stage gets more advanced for the recruits and is harder to execute.
The recruits of Co. B are just beginning their MCMAP training, they have two more Pugil Stick events to go through. The next one is at the end of Phase One and the final event is at the end of recruit training.