MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Recruits from Company H, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, tested mind and body during the Circuit Course after interval sprints aboard the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 29.
The Circuit Course, a track laid out with exercise stations along the route, builds the recruits’ strength and stamina as they endure each exercise while pushing through exhaustion.
Before starting the event, recruits performed three quarter-mile sprints testing their maximum endurance. When they finished the sprints, they began ammunition can lifts as a pre-workout to the course. The exercise worked their bodies to the point of exhaustion even before they started the Circuit Course.
“This course gives recruits an all-around body workout, which builds their strength and conditioning by doing several workouts at a fast pace,” said Sgt. Jorge A. Castillanos, drill instructor, Platoon 2166.
“The course builds physical strength and mental toughness, and it’s important to have both,” explained Castillanos, a Houston native.
Before they started the course, the recruits were split into groups of approximately 15. With the assistance of a drill instructor they maneuvered through each exercise. Each station is designed to target a specific muscle group forcing recruits to push through fatigue.
“It wasn’t a specific exercise that was more tiring than the other, but doing all of the exercises back to back within a short period of time is what pushed us mentally, emotionally and gave a true test to our endurance and will to keep going,” said Recruit Julian M. Arrogo, Platoon 2163.
The workout consisted of a 60-second set of maximum effort for each exercise.
As if the physical fatigue wasn’t enough, the drill instructors were vigilant and ensured each recruit did the exercises until the sound of the whistle, indicating a rotation to the next station.
Each exercise, such as pushups, crunches, dips and over-head presses, challenged the recruits in a new way.
Drill instructors led each exercise, ensuring proper technique was used and each exercise was executed correctly.
Recruits attend three circuit courses during their training to continue building strength and endurance.
“Marines train year round to maintain their all-around physical fitness and combat conditioning,” said 19-year-old, Arrogo. “Marine Corps recruit training teaches us everything we need to know to be a stellar Marine. Physical fitness is one of the most important traits of being a Marine.”