MCRD San Diego -- Recruits of Company F, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, gathered in an auditorium to receive their orders following graduation from recruit training. The orders came just one week prior to their Crucible and brought a pleasant surprise aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Nov. 6.
After receiving their orders to either Marine Combat Training or Infantry Training Battalion, Marine School of Infantry, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, recruits found they were also receiving 28 days of recruiter assistance in conjunction with their 10 days of boot leave. Typically recruits only receive 10 days of leave in between graduation and MCT or ITB.
Prior to the most physically demanding part of recruit training, the Crucible, many recruits couldn’t have been more motivated by the idea of extra time to spend with loved ones.
“We have the crucible next week and it may be the hardest thing in recruit training. But this is a lot of motivation for pushing through to see my family,” Recruit Robert M. Mendoza, Plt. 2130, Company F. “The thought of seeing my family makes me want to finish that much harder.”
For other recruits who were having a difficult time staying positive, it was a morale boost at an opportune time.
“My morale was kind of going down a little bit because I haven’t received a lot of letters lately, said Recruit David A. Grove, Platoon 2130, But I have been trying to keep my head high but this definitely helped more. I think something like this is important because it gives recruits a reason to keep pushing.”
While the extra time provides a good opportunity to spend some quality time with family, recruits acknowledged the extra time also offers a good opportunity to recruit two individuals for a promotion. Although recruits will stay home a little longer they get valuable time working with their recruiters.
“I’ll be catching up with family and friends and getting ready for Marine Combat Training. I’m also going to try and recruit two people for a promotion,” said Recruit Alek L. Maten, squad leader, Plt, 2130. “It’s a shock knowing that in one week I’m going to do the hardest thing in my life but it’s motivating knowing that less than one week after that we get to go home.”
Maten said he is confident he will represent the Marine Corps positively during his time at home and plans to keep himself in shape for MCT.
No matter what emotion their order and news of 28 days of recruiter assistance evoked from recruits, it appeared there were no one complaining or upset about having more time with their families before additional training.