Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego -- Bearing is defined as the way one conducts and carries him or herself in a manner that reflects alertness, competence and control.
Recruits of Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, displayed their bearing tested during their Series Commander Inspection at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 17. Recruits were also tested on Marine Corps knowledge, uniforms and rifle manual.
The purpose of the series commander inspection is to test the recruits on what they’ve learned in recruit training, while having a confident conversation with an officer.
“The series commander inspection shows us how much they’ve improved since the senior drill instructor inspection and lets the series commander know his recruits’(level of) confidence and bearing,” said Sgt. Gabriel Cervantesdiaz, drill instructor, Platoon 2150. “It lets us drill instructors know what we have instilled in our recruits and what we need to work on with them before the battalion inspection.”
The inspecting officer faced each recruit and snapped his heels together coming to the position of attention, which signaled the recruit to report to the officer by sounding off with his name, hometown and military occupation specialty. After reporting, the inspector asked each recruit Marine Corps knowledge questions and then inspected his uniform.
At the same time, other drill instructors rushed the platoon creating disorder and confusion, which tested the recruits’ bearing, a Marine Corps leadership trait.
“It is a challenge to keep your confidence and hold your bearing while a drill instructor is screaming in your face and asking you several questions while you’re performing different drill movements with the rifle,” said Recruit Christian L. Martin, Platoon 2150. “Marines are known to be the best fighting force America has to offer, so Marines must be able to react under pressure or in the middle of chaos in a combat environment. Marines actions under stress could not only save his own life, but a fellow Marine to his left or right as well.”
It was crucial for the recruits to remain calm, keep their eyes forward while at the position of attention and answer the questions they were asked. It is a sign of confidence and bearing, which are two traits drill instructors look for in recruits.
“The biggest challenge the recruits will face is getting over the stress factor,” said Cervantesdiaz, a 27-year-old native of Corona, Calif. “When you have a bunch of drill instructors swarm the platoon and create chaos, it makes it uncomfortable for the recruits and makes it hard for them to keep their composure.”
Martin, a 21-year-old, Chino Hills, Calif., native explained, Marines find themselves in stressful environments, especially on deployments. When things go wrong in combat, Marines must be able to stay calm and react to the situation without freezing up or second guessing their decisions. Thus, upcoming Marines must be trained to adapt, whether it’s drill instructors yelling or in a combat situation while being fired upon.
Company G displayed military bearing and have shown that they are confident in what they have learned so far in recruit training. The series commander’s inspection is just a small step to prepare them for other inspections and the many tests they will face as they begin their Marine Corps careers.