San Diego -- After spending four sleep deprived days in receiving, recruits of Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, sat crisscross, quietly waiting to meet their drill instructors for the first time aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego July 12.
“Receiving was the hardest week, it felt like it was the longest, however, I feel accomplished after making it through those first days” said Recruit Jevon Hudson, Platoon 1034.
During Receiving, recruits are stripped of their belongings, issued gear and given haircuts. On the fourth day they face their first challenge in recruit training—the Initial Strength Test.
During the IST, recruits must complete a max set of pull-ups, max set of crunches and a timed 1.5 mile run. The purpose of the IST is to gauge the new recruit’s physical fitness levels. Recruits must pass the test in order to commence the rigorous three month training regimen required to become a Marine, according to Staff Sgt. Ricky Broadway, senior drill instructor.
The recruits that pass their IST are divided into platoon’s and continue on to the next momentous event in recruit training, meeting the men that will be by their side during their entire stay aboard the Depot—their drill instructors.
“To know that the drill instructors are here for me and the other recruits fills me with pride,” said Hudson. “Although I know it will be challenging, I’m ready to take it on. I think these next weeks will be the best weeks of our lives.”
The formal introduction of the drill instructors to the recruits allows the senior drill instructor to lay out what is expected of the recruits throughout recruit training. It also gives the drill instructors the opportunity to set the house rules and tone for the upcoming months, according to Broadway.
“Right now I expect them to show their desire to want to be here. They need to move fast, be loud and use proper customs and courtesies,” said Broadway. “They should show their willingness to be here through their actions. I want them to show they’re striving to be better when they leave than when they arrived.”
As part of the introduction, the series commander administers the oath of the Drill Instructors Creed. The senior and his drill instructors raise their right hand and recite the words they will uphold;
“These recruits are entrusted to my care. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically-trained Marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of Corps and Country. I will demand of them, and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and professional skill.”
To Broadway, knowing the importance of his role in transforming recruits into Marines and the potential impact he can have on the recruits, who are the future of the Marine Corps, is indescribable.
Although the recruits are still at the very beginning of their journey, Broadway’s goal is for every single one of them to graduate and become basically trained Marines.