Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Although recruits of Company M already completed a strength and endurance course once before, they went through for a second time in recruit training to further increase their physical fitness levels aboard the depot, March 26.
The last time the recruits went through the strength and endurance training they didn’t know how difficult it would be. This time, they knew to expect a two-and-ahalf mile run and 15 exercises— therefore, the challenge was to finish strong.
“The pace is a little faster and a little harder,” said Sgt. Joshua T. Ryle, drill instructor. “The recruits know what to expect so it is up to them to push themselves harder.”
Ryle explained he tries to inform the recruits that if they don’t push themselves during the physical training, the Crucible and Fleet Marine Force will be much harder.
During the training, Ryle and his fellow drill instructors repeatedly shouted encouragement to motivate recruits through the exercises.
“You look at the exercise sign, and you know you have to get as many repetitions as you can,” said Recruit Richard C. Wolters, Platoon 3274. “People who wonder why they are not getting better are the ones not giving 100 percent.”
Wolters, a Battle Mountain, Nev. native, was one among many recruits who have goals of improving their fitness.
During their first strength and endurance course, Recruit Alexander J. Wright, Plt. 3273, admitted that he paced himself because he didn’t know how long it would be. However, this time around Wright stated that he pushed himself so that he could get closer to his goal of doing 15 pull-ups.
“I know the Marine Corps isn’t just about being fit, and I didn’t join for the physical part, but I do think they should do this training more than twice,” said Wright, a Medford, Ore. native.
As drill instructors brought the recruits to the end of the training, the intensity did not diminish. The drill instructors were still shouting, the sweat was still pouring, and many faces still winced with pain during the last few repetitions of each exercise. If the recruits were attempting to squeak by, they were doing it with shirts filled with sweat.
“We’re pushing now so it’s less hard for the Crucible,” said Wolters.