Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Early in recruit training, recruits are taught to overcome and adapt to situations they may not be used to facing. Sometimes that means gaining the confidence to go toe-to-toe with one another to battle it out with fellow recruits.
Recruits of Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, battles each other using pugil sticks and newly learned bayonet techniques on training day 49 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Dec. 4
This pugil stick event was the company’s second iteration, and it was unique in many different aspects. Recruits faced two opponents while fighting on a bridge and if they were to fall off the bridge or get hit, they would have lost the fight.
“We like recruits to practice as many scenarios as they can,” said Sgt. Juan P. Cruzgarcia, drill instructor, Platoon 3243. “There are many recruits here who have probably never been in a fight, and while they are here, we want them to gain that confidence. We want them to take the mistakes so if it is ever for real, they’ll have a better idea of what to do.”
Prior to the Pugil Sticks event, recruits learned a second set of techniques they later were required to apply during each of their bouts.
“They were taught the armed manipulations portion of the bayonet techniques along with a demonstration of how it is supposed to be completed,” said Cruzgarcia, a native of Long Beach, Calif.
During the event, the recruits use pugil sticks, which are sticks with pads on each end that resemble a rifle with a bayonet attachment, according to 25-year-old Cruzgarcia.
Recruits were split up by weight in order to make each bout fair.
Before the battles began, recruits donned their protective gear because once in the arena, they used full force. Helmets, groin protector, flak jackets, gloves and mouthpieces were given to each recruit.
Once in the arena, the fighters were checked by the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor or a drill instructor to ensure their gear was properly worn before their bout began.
While pugil sticks is one of the more popular events in recruit training, it serves a purpose beyond the physical training.
“It definitely made me feel more confident, said Recruit Joné Harris, Platoon 3243. “Getting the time to get in they aren’t and practice the techniques definitely makes me feel better about them.”
Recruits of Lima Company will endure Pugil Sticks two more times before they earn the title of Marine.
“I am an older recruit,” said Harris. “I can tell this will be beneficial to these younger recruits somewhere down the line.”