Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- The art of hand-to-hand combat is still relevant even in today’s advancement in modern warfare. To acquire the skills needed to defend one’s self, one must first start with the basics.
Recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, went through their first Marine Corps Martial Arts Program class aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 22.
"This is a chance for the recruits to develop a foundation of MCMAP, instill warrior ethos and build confidence,” said Sgt. Francisco Rodriguez Jr., drill instructor, Platoon 3230. “Some of the recruits here have never been in a fight before, so they’ll benefit from the hand-to-hand training to be able to fight back.”
The event began with basic warm-ups, followed by forming up what is referred to as the “classroom,” where recruits circle around the martial arts instructor so they could all see and hear the brief. Though recruit training is built around a fast paced environment, instructors slowed down the tempo during the class time to ensure recruits took in and learned the techniques properly.
“Instructors do a good job of breaking it down,” said Rodriguez Jr., an Aurora, Ill., native. “With the collaboration of the martial arts instructors and drill instructors, recruits will get a good base and grow confident in their abilities.”
After recruits received the classroom portion of what they were being taught, instructors had recruits “setup the dojo,” where recruits lined up double-arms-distance away from each other in rows so they could safely perform the techniques. It was the recruits’ first opportunity to execute the first of many techniques they will learn over the course of training. Some had been eagerly looking forward to that moment.
“I’m incredibly excited to be in the program,” said Recruit Jonathan D. Taylor, Plt. 3235. “I’ve lived my whole life with martial arts training, so this is now another chapter in that book.”
When recruits started to execute the techniques, they realized it would take time and repetition to perfect.
“Some recruits without previous martial arts training had a tougher time,” said Taylor, a Dallas native who was recruited out of Recruiting Substation Garland, Texas. “Then there were some, like myself, who had a tougher time due to my previous training in kung fu and taekwondo. I struggled with dropping my old habits and executing the techniques the specific way they wanted it done.”
During MCMAP training, recruits receive just as much emphasis on the mental training as they do with the physical training.
“MCMAP instills discipline,” said Rodriguez Jr., who is on his third training cycle. “They’re not going to go out and try to fight everyone. We instill warrior ethos to train them mentally so that we get a well-rounded Marine.”
A foundation has been set for the recruit to build upon. At the conclusion of recruit training, recruits will become a basically trained fighter with opportunities to continue and develop their training in MCMAP later on.
“This was one of the main things I wanted to do and will be continuing my MCMAP training in the Fleet Marine Force,” said Taylor. “But right now, I’m looking forward to throwing around some guys in my platoon.”