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Recruits of India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, perform a counter to the rear choke during the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program test at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 18. Recruits were required to show confidence and no hesitation in the execution of a technique or the instructor would make them try again individually. If unsuccessful, he would receive an “X” on his score card, indicating he failed the technique.

Photo by Sgt. Benjamin E. Woodle

India Company takes down MCMAP test

13 Mar 2015 | Sgt. Benjamin E. Woodle Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego

Modern combat still requires the use of hand-to-hand techniques.  When the ammunition runs out, one needs to be prepared to fight an enemy combatant with any means necessary.  The basic level of training takes place at recruit training, where recruits take the first step of expanding their warrior knowledge.

Recruits of India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, earned their tan belt during the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program test at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 18.

 “This is the culminating event of their MCMAP training,” said Sgt. Andreau M. Winslow, martial arts instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion.  “It tests their ability to recall and perform the techniques correctly that they’ve been taught during recruit training.”

During the event, recruits were broken down into groups of 20 and assigned a martial arts instructor who conducted the test.  The MAI called out techniques recruits needed to execute in order to advance.

“Some recruits were really nervous, which affected their ability to remember how to perform some of the techniques properly,” said Winslow, a Wichita, Kan., native.  “They struggled with their confidence during the test.  They’d perform the technique right, we’d ask them to do it again and they would think they did it wrong and try something else.”

The MCMAP test rewards recruits with their first belt in the colored belt level system, the tan belt.  Once they reach the Fleet Marine Force, Marines can continue their training to earn the higher levels of gray, green, brown, and various degrees of the black belt.  For India Company though, it was about teaching the basics.

“It’s important for Marines to be able to defend themselves,” said Recruit Bryant C. Reeder, Platoon 3201.  “After passing the test, it gave everyone a confidence boost now that we have basic combat knowledge and are gaining more tools to become a Marine warrior.”

Reeder, a Kingsburg, Calif., native who was recruited out of Recruiting Station Sacramento, Calif., explained that while taking the test he treated it as if it were really happening in a combat situation to ensure he had a proper combat mindset.

“This event will help train us for the real thing,” said 18-year-old Reeder.  “It could one day save our life, so it needs to be taken seriously.”

Through the physical conditioning and warrior ethos mental training, MCMAP offers recruits a multitude of opportunities to learn and grow to become the Marine warriors they’re striving to be.

“Marines are first to fight,” said Winslow.  “Hand-to-hand combat is still applicable today, so it’s an important skill to develop their basic knowledge in and then expand throughout their career.”