San Diego -- Recruits learn different ways to gain confidence they lack in certain areas, early in recruit training. Sometimes that means gaining the confidence to go toe-to-toe with one another to battle fellow recruits.
Recruits of Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, battled each other using pugil sticks and newly learned bayonet techniques on training day 49 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Jan. 28.
The pugil stick event was the first iteration for the company, and it was a unique situation for most recruits because for many it was the first time they had been in a fight.
“Pugil sticks give recruits that physical confrontation that they may not be used to,” said Sgt. Stephen W. Suever, drill instructor. “We want recruits to make the mistakes here so they can learn early what to do and what not to do in a confrontation.”
Prior to the Pugil Sticks event, recruits learned their first set of bayonet techniques and later applied it during each of their bouts.
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 29-year-old Suever.
“The biggest challenges recruits face when it comes to the event is the their own personal fear,” said Suever, a native of Howe, Ind. “They know the techniques, but in the heat of the moment, they panic and just start swinging the stick.”
Recruits were paired 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 made me feel better both physically and mentally,” said Recruit Joseph M. Osornio. “I got to get a lot of my aggression out while practicing what we had just learned.”
Recruits of Hotel Company will endure Pugil Sticks three more times before they earn the title of Marine.
“The event reflects confidence, no matter what situation you’re in,” said Osornio. “I think that’s something that recruits and I will get better at during our Marine Corps careers.”