MCRD San Diego -- Recruits of Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, attended a class to further their knowledge of Marine Corps history during recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Aug. 16.
The class provided insight to previous operations Marines took part in such as Operation Urgent Fury, Operation Just Cause, non-combat operations in Liberia, Operation Desert Storm/Shield, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Support Democracy and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The class even discussed current operations in Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom.
Recruits attended several other classes during the course of their training and have been educated on the overall history of the Marine Corps.
“It’s very important to know the history of operations that took place in Marine Corps history,” said Recruit Emmanuel Guzman, Platoon 1003, Co. A. “Especially, now that we’re a part of this organization.”
Stories of Marines and their efforts during peacetime and in war are often shared through the grapevine, but not everyone knows the true facts, according to Guzman, a Chicago native.
“My uncle was a Marine, and I never really knew some of things that he had experienced during Operation Iraqi Freedom, until this class,” said Guzman.
Although, knowing the facts and statistics from previous operations can be helpful, some recruits believe it’s important to know the strategies that took place, so Marines can learn from them, according to Recruit Robert Montgomery, Plt. 1003, Co. A.
“History tends to repeat itself and it’s important to know what took place as far as operations go,” said Montgomery, a Rockport, Texas native. “It gives us something to look forward to as well as prepare for. The more information we can get now, the more we can take from.”
Toward the end of recruit training, recruits will be tested on their knowledge of Marine Corps history they learned during the classes which will determine if they’re able to move forward with training.
“As I’m giving the class, I make sure to emphasize on the things they will be tested on,” said Staff Sgt. Valentin Monroy, the testing staff non-commissioned officer in charge, Academic Instructors Platoon, Support Battalion. “I make sure they highlight the important stuff in their knowledge books as they follow along.”
As the class came to an end, recruits left with a better understanding of the Marine Corps’ operational history.
“The class went more in depth of the operation and it showed them how we’ve been involved over history,” said Monroy. “The Marine Corps is all about tradition and it’s important they know where we stand as Marines.”