San Diego -- It doesn’t matter how good of shape recruits are in when they arrive to the depot. There is always room to improve.
Recruits of Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, realized that when they began their series of interval sprints during a physical training session at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 15.
“When recruits get here, half of them are in shape and half of them aren’t,” said Sgt. Cesar D. Martinez, senior drill instructor, Platoon 1041. “We have to begin to condition their bodies for the rigors of what they may face in the Marine Corps.”
This event was only the second time the recruits of Charlie Company have physically trained since they arrived at the depot, last week. One day before, their opportunity was a one-and-a-half-mile warm-up run followed by an introduction to the circuit course.
“We slowly get their bodies used to the constant running and working out,” said 24-year-old Martinez. “That’s the only way to build their endurance and stamina.”
Recruits began the event by conducting the dynamic warm-up, which includes Marine Corps push-ups, sit-ups, mountain climbers and jumping jacks.
“We do dynamic warm-ups with recruits to get their bodies loose and ready to run or do any type of physical activity,” said Martinez, a native of Miami.
Once the recruits were warmed up, they were split into ability groups based on times ran on their initial strength test taken when they first arrived on the depot.
The event began with four, one-quarter mile sprints.
“When I was running, I kept thinking of mind over matter,” said Recruit Tyler D. Sherlock. “I am trying to learn the discipline of knowing not to quit and pushing myself. It’s going to take some time, but I know I can do it.”
Sherlock explains how running is a mental break for the recruits and a way to relieve stress and focus on training.
“Running is our time,” said 22-year-old Sherlock. “It is the small break in all of action and time for our bodies to relieve the stress we have building up.”
Toward the end of the event, recruits were gasping for air and sweat was pouring down their faces, but it did not stop them.
“I was trying to beat my drill instructor,” said Sherlock, a native of Alliance, Neb. “It was my motivation, and at times I forgot I was running.”
While they have only been in recruit training for less than two weeks, recruits still have a lot more to endure when it comes to physical training.
“These recruits will run and workout their bodies throughout recruit training and even after recruit training,” said Martinez. “We, as Marines, are all prepared for combat. It doesn’t matter what your job is. When it comes to being combat ready, physical fitness is key.”