MCRD San Diego -- Some recruits appeared calm but the majority looked nervous as they stood in formation waiting for their series commander inspection to commence aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 10.
Recruits of Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, were inspected on their camouflage utilities, bearing and Marine Corps knowledge by both their drill instructors and series commander.
One by one each recruit was asked a series of questions and inspected. If anything was wrong or out of place drill instructors were quick to let the recruits know with a series of shouts and orders.
Some recruits admitted that their nervousness contributed to a less than perfect performance.
“I knew the answer to a question I missed. But because I was nervous I couldn’t think clearly,” said Recruit Joshua M. Nelson, guide , Platoon 3262, Co. M.
Nelson explained it was his first time going through an inspection and didn’t know what to expect.
“I’m going to practice my Marine knowledge and try not to be as nervous next time,” said Nelson.
The intensity of the inspection was by no coincidence. Drill instructors purposely try to rattle the recruits to test their bearing under pressure.
“From this they see their strong or weak points and build on them,” said Sgt. Detren C. Tate, drill instructor, Plt. 3262.
Tate explained recruits are tested thoroughly and hard, but they start preparing for the inspection on day one of training by drill instructors showing them how to wear their uniforms and carry themselves as Marines.
“Their confidence has been prepped since day one,” said Tate. “We teach them how to wear the uniforms and show them what we expect every day.”
Another reason for the inspection is to prepare recruits for future interaction with officers and senior enlisted.
Tate said he expects recruits to come away from the experience gaining confidence in their ability to communicate to senior Marines.
Recruits understood that the inspection was another brick in the road toward learning how to carry themselves as Marines.
After finishing the series commander inspection, Recruit Taylor M. Crain, Plt. 3262, said that mistakes made in recruit training are to be learned from.
According to Crain you can avoid a lot of problems if you fix them early on.
Nelson, fellow platoon member and guide, agrees.
“This helps the recruits work better under pressure and make it a little easier to answer questions next time,” said Nelson.
How well recruits did in their series commander inspection varied from recruit to recruit. But what didn’t vary is the valuable experience and lesson they all received in bearing and effectively communicating.