MCRD San Diego -- Their stoic appearance resembled statues as the recruits of Company B were being tested on bearing, Marine knowledge and confidence.
Recruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, were in formation and evaluated on how they responded to questions from their series commander aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 30.
When called upon recruits shouted their names and platoon number before Cpt. Lamberto E. Mathurin, series commander, Company B, quizzed them on questions like, who the Commandant of the Marine Corps was, their rifle serial number and the general orders.
One by one each recruit was questioned and evaluated. Some performed louder with more crisp thorough answers, but all accomplished the mission.
"The lesson to be learned here is the importance of bearing and confidence," said Mathurin. "Even if you don't know an answer, if you sound confident it goes a long way with the Marine in front of you."
Many of the recruits answered Mathurin questions with similar answers.
"Why did you join the Marine Corps?" was a question Mathurin asked to many different recruits and many times the answer was either, “to be the best” and or to “challenge myself."
However one recruit replied with a unique answer, "to make money." The answer appeared to shock Mathurin for a second before he replied, “That's the most honest answer I've heard.”
"The recruit gave a legitimate, honest answer," said Mathurin. "Not to say that answers like I want to be the best in the United States is not. But it sounds more believable when someone says they want to make money or wear dress blues. It takes some fortitude to say something like that and I like that. It shows they can speak their mind in a tactful manner without sugar coating it and it shows confidence, that’s a good thing.”
Recruits explained that being singled out was something that threw them off and were not used to.
“It's different than your routine with your platoon. You're singled out in an inspection. It’s one on one and we don't usually see officers,” said Recruit Taylor J. Green, Platoon 1021, Co B. "I'd give myself a six on my performance but I think I'm capable of a 10. I think by the next time we do this my confidence will be there and I'll be more comfortable. It's still kind of nerve wrecking at this point."
Some recruits felt more at ease than others. For Recruit Gino C. Garcia, squad leader, Plt. 1021, his experience with the event gave him the confidence to perform well.
"I felt my bearing has improved. I now know how to answer a question without stuttering or hesitating. I was scared before because I didn't know what to expect. But being a Marine is about becoming a man and fighting for your country."