Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Marine Corps recruit training introduces recruits to a variety of exercises. Each evolution of training serves a specific purpose and pushes recruits to the next level of their physical capabilities.
Recruits of Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, performed interval training exercises at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Jan. 15.
The Marine Corps uses interval training to help recruits gain physical endurance and to prepare them for upcoming challenges.
“This training helps build recruits’ strength and endurance,” said Staff Sgt. Sergio J. Ramirez, senior drill instructor, Platoon 1062. “This is the first step to building them up to the Marine Corps’ physical standards. If we don’t do this, how will they get stronger to do more pull-ups or have the endurance to run faster?”
During the event, recruits completed two half-mile sprints followed by a circuit course compiled of multiple stations such as inside and outside rotations, step-ups, dips, monkey bars, leg lifts, straight bar curls, crunches, upright rows and overhead presses. Recruits performed the exercises for a specific amount of time and then moved to the next station to perform the next exercise.
“Right now a lot of us don’t have a strong endurance to keep up for an event like this,” said Recruit Karl E. Gomez, Plt. 1063. “During the interval sprints, some recruits didn’t pace themselves and ended up getting tired early on, but then right after we had the stations, so it was tough.”
Although recruits arrive at the depot at different physical fitness levels, the training schedule is geared to help recruits reach the Corps’ physical standards and prepare them for future deployments.
“You can’t succeed if you don’t get strong enough to earn the title,” said Gomez, a Santa Rosa, Calif., native who was recruited out of Recruiting Station San Francisco. “During the event I thought to myself to push as hard as I could so I can get stronger and better endurance to face the challenges of combat.”
The Marine Corps prides itself on being the first to fight; ready to go at a moment’s notice. Physical and mental training becomes an essential part in order to sustain that level of readiness. Recruits are developed and prepared to uphold the long history and tradition of the Marine Corps.
“Over the course of recruit training we’ll build their mental and physical endurance,” said Ramirez. “I want to test and motivate them to push harder so that when they’re deployed, they can confidently react in any environment they are in.”