Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Many professional athletes need both strength and endurance for peak performance and do not solely focus on one muscle. Instead they work multiple muscle groups to improve these attributes.
Recruit training is no different. Through 13 weeks of training, recruits receive various types of physical challenges designed to improve cardiovascular and muscular strength.
Recruits of India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, worked through the Strength and Endurance Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., Oct. 8.
The course includes a two-and-a-half-mile run with various workout stations along the running route with exercises such as planks, pull-ups and dips.
To begin their challenge, recruits warmed up with stretches and pushups. They then were broken down and separated into speed groups.
The groups were led by drill instructors and the tempo was fast. Upon arrival to an exercise station the drill instructors wasted no time in immediately leading their recruits through the exercise. ‘One, two, three! One, two, three!’ yelled the drill instructors to keep track of the number of repetitions.
“They kept picking up the speed the entire time,” said Recruit Justin D. Boetger, Platoon 3215. “I believe they were pushing us faster than an 18 minute three-mile pace. I’m pretty tired, but I would do it again right now because I know this training is to make me stronger.”
Boetger explained he believes the training not only improves a recruit’s physical ability, but his mental toughness as well.
“The mental toughness comes from having to push through fatigue when your body wants to quit,” said Boetger, a Bakersfield, Calif., native.
As physically and mentally demanding as the training was, many recruits seemed in good spirits when it was over.
Recruit Hunter J. Burnan, Platoon 3213, explained he believed the exercise benefited the recruits because physical training is healthy for the mind.
“I feel great,” said Burnan. “I could tell the pace was really fast, but I actually enjoyed the exercise. When I was running I felt really light on my feet, and I just kept a positive mindset. The harder you push yourself, the more gains you’ll receive and the better you’ll feel about yourself.”
There were groans of struggle and exhaustion throughout the Strength and Endurance Course. But when the dust settled and the exercise was completed there were no complaints to be heard. Company I recruits were sweaty and fatigued, but they are now better prepared for harder obstacles soon to come in recruit training.