Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Recruits of Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, accomplished another demanding task during recruit training known as the Circuit Course aboard the depot, Dec. 3.
The purpose of the Circuit Course was to build stamina, strength and endurance. The physical training session was designed to constantly push the recruits without a break, testing their bodies with fatigue.
The Circuit Course was made up of several work-out stations and exercises. Before beginning the course, drill instructors demonstrated how to perform each station. Every station was designed to target a specific muscle group while testing the recruits’ endurance while fatigued.
“This course lets the recruits experience strength and core conditioning and overall physical fitness,” said Sgt. Anthony L. Williams, drill instructor, Platoon 3249. “It’s challenging to the mind and body. Recruits find out that their bodies can be pushed further than what their mind thinks it can.”
Being mentally strong is just as important as being physically strong, explained 27-year-old Williams, a Benton Harbor, Mich. native.
Before recruits started the Circuit Course, they had a prior workout that included running, push-ups and ammunition can lifts. Once recruits reached the Circuit Course their bodies were already fatigued from the pre-workout.
Ammunition can lifts were the biggest challenge because they built a lot of fatigue before we began the Circuit Course, explained Recruit Adrian M. Arneson.
At each station, recruits continuously performed each exercise until they hear a whistle blow that indicated a rotation to the next station. Every station demanded a different challenge from the recruits such as pull-ups, pushups and sprints.
Each station lasted 60 seconds before drill instructors sprinted to the next station with their assigned group of recruits.
Recruits synchronized with the drill instructors as they executed each of the exercises. If recruits performed any of the exercises wrong they were quickly corrected by a drill instructor.
The nature of a Marine’s job requires them to be physically fit. Marines are tested twice a year on their level of fitness through the Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test.
“Marines are known for their physical fitness and combat conditioning. During recruit training we have to push through things such as the Circuit Course to reach the Marine Corps standard of physical fitness,” said 19-year-old Arneson, a San Diego native. “Mental strength is another trait we must adapt to during recruit training because the mind is a lot stronger than the body.”