San Diego -- Throughout recruit training, recruits face many challenges that break them down and build them up. They learn valuable lessons individually and as a team; one significant event is the Confidence Course.
After a safety brief given by Instructional Training Command, Support Battalion, staff and a demonstration of events by drill instructors, recruits of Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, split into teams and sprinted alongside their drill instructor to their first obstacle during the Confidence Course aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Feb. 26.
“The Confidence Course does what its name says; builds confidence,” said Recruit Ryan Reichilin, Platoon 2106, Co. E, 2nd RTBn. “It challenges you to do things that are hard and intimidating. You might struggle, but with the proper technique you can get through them and when you finish it helps build you up.”
The course consists of different obstacles designed to physically challenge recruits. Some of the main obstacles include the Stairway to Heaven, a 30-foot tall structure that resembles a ladder; the A-frame, a structure that starts with a 15- foot rope recruits have to climb to get to horizontal logs, then they must balance and walk across the logs to get the “A” shaped ladder that they climb to get to the 30-ft rope where they will slide down to finish; and slide for life, a 25-foot tower recruits climb onto a platform where they descend on a 90-foot cable to the ground above a 4-foot-deep pool of water.
Drill instructors stay with the recruits throughout the event ensuring they use proper safety and techniques, maintain their volume and intensity, and to help motivate them to push through the pain and fatigue, according to Reichlin.
When a challenge gets to be too much, Reichlin keeps an open mind and takes on the obstacle with a new perspective and a different technique.
Recruits were either running in place waiting for their turn, completing the obstacle, practicing Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques after overcoming the obstacle or sprinting to the next challenge.
Recruits participate in the Confidence Course on Training Day 18, near the end of Phase One, in order to reinforce the foundation of self-confidence, intensity, and teamwork. This is important as they prepare to enter Phase Two, where they will be faced with greater challenges, according to Staff Sgt. Steven Jackman, senior drill instructor, Plt. 2106, Co. E 2nd RTBn.
“It helps them overcome certain fears or insecurities they might have,” said Jackman. “They come to realize that through proper technique and teamwork they can make it thought anything.”
Although the recruits of Co. E are still young in training, with every day that passes and every event they conquer they strengthen the foundation that will help them on their journey to earning the title “United States Marine.” The foundation they build at recruit training will also stay with them throughout their Marine Corps careers.