MAJMike
02-19-04, 08:43 PM
Two articles in the February 17, 2004 Issue of Marine Corps Times give the current scoop on Recon. As follows:
Big ol’ heart’ drives recon’s best
By C. Mark Brinkley
Times staff writer
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Going recon is an option for more Marines than ever these days, but that doesn’t mean getting in is any easier.
The reconnaissance world — and Force Recon in particular — most often conjures images of stealthy insertions behind enemy lines and snatch-and-grab missions.
But the essence of a recon Marine boils down to something far less sexy than the Hollywood image of special operations.
“I need someone with a big ol’ heart and strong character,” said Lt. Col. James E. Reilly, commander of 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company here. “You have to be physically fit and you have to be mentally sound. I’m just looking for someone who really wants this.”
Yet, rumors about recon training and requirements run rampant in the Corps, especially among junior Marines who often view the small communities with a healthy dose of awe.
Two myths can be debunked — you don’t need to score a 300 on your physical fitness test and you don’t have to survive a drowning attempt.
You should, however, be a decent swimmer before you audition.
“Most of our work is in the water,” said Gunnery Sgt. Deryck Dervin, staff noncommissioned officer in charge for 2nd Force’s training platoon. “If you can’t swim, we can’t use you.”
The swimming tests start out tough and only get tougher, as candidates endure a rigorous indoctrination test and subsequent training program before attending Basic Reconnaissance Course. What begins with swimming 500 meters and treading water for 30 minutes in a pool can turn into a 1,000-meter open sea swim by the end of the training-platoon cycle.
Just getting through the initial tests, which can include retrieving 10-pound bricks from the bottom of a 12-foot pool and swimming underwater for 25 yards, proves challenging even for experienced swimmers.
“I was a lifeguard for five years,” said Lance Cpl. John Swanson, 19, a Crawfordville, Fla., Marine who passed the initial battalion recon tests while still in training at the School of Infantry-East. “It still kicked my butt.”
Along with swimming skills, a first-class physical fitness test score is a must. So is a good recommendation from your commander.
In Force Recon units, the ideal Marine is someone who is mature, intelligent and can be trusted to work independently, Reilly said. They need GT scores of at least 105, good medical records and clean service record books, including no nonjudicial punishments during the previous year.
One more misconception clarified — it’s not a grunts-only world. Candidates come from all areas of the Marine Corps, including communications, admin, and even the MV-22 Osprey community. As an example, Reilly points to a Marine Air-Ground Task Force planner now going through training.
“I think that’s great,” Reilly said. “He’s a success story.”
Despite the extensive requirements, the audition process is about putting your character and abilities on the line. If a Marine is weak in one area but impressive overall, he might make the initial cut at indoc and go on to reconnaissance training platoon after all, where he can continue working to correct his shortcoming.
“We keep a mental note, ‘that Marine did 25 daggone pull-ups, he’s giving all he has,’” Dervin said. “We don’t want any shortchanging. We don’t shortchange in this community.”
They do train, however, and train and train and train. Patrolling, physical exercise, swimming drills — the demands get tougher and tougher as the Marine prepares for BRC and continue when he reaches a battalion or Force Recon unit. Those unwilling to put forth the time and effort necessary will not be successful, and need not apply.
“I think everyone has the potential,” Reilly said. “Not everyone has the heart.”
Big ol’ heart’ drives recon’s best
By C. Mark Brinkley
Times staff writer
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Going recon is an option for more Marines than ever these days, but that doesn’t mean getting in is any easier.
The reconnaissance world — and Force Recon in particular — most often conjures images of stealthy insertions behind enemy lines and snatch-and-grab missions.
But the essence of a recon Marine boils down to something far less sexy than the Hollywood image of special operations.
“I need someone with a big ol’ heart and strong character,” said Lt. Col. James E. Reilly, commander of 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company here. “You have to be physically fit and you have to be mentally sound. I’m just looking for someone who really wants this.”
Yet, rumors about recon training and requirements run rampant in the Corps, especially among junior Marines who often view the small communities with a healthy dose of awe.
Two myths can be debunked — you don’t need to score a 300 on your physical fitness test and you don’t have to survive a drowning attempt.
You should, however, be a decent swimmer before you audition.
“Most of our work is in the water,” said Gunnery Sgt. Deryck Dervin, staff noncommissioned officer in charge for 2nd Force’s training platoon. “If you can’t swim, we can’t use you.”
The swimming tests start out tough and only get tougher, as candidates endure a rigorous indoctrination test and subsequent training program before attending Basic Reconnaissance Course. What begins with swimming 500 meters and treading water for 30 minutes in a pool can turn into a 1,000-meter open sea swim by the end of the training-platoon cycle.
Just getting through the initial tests, which can include retrieving 10-pound bricks from the bottom of a 12-foot pool and swimming underwater for 25 yards, proves challenging even for experienced swimmers.
“I was a lifeguard for five years,” said Lance Cpl. John Swanson, 19, a Crawfordville, Fla., Marine who passed the initial battalion recon tests while still in training at the School of Infantry-East. “It still kicked my butt.”
Along with swimming skills, a first-class physical fitness test score is a must. So is a good recommendation from your commander.
In Force Recon units, the ideal Marine is someone who is mature, intelligent and can be trusted to work independently, Reilly said. They need GT scores of at least 105, good medical records and clean service record books, including no nonjudicial punishments during the previous year.
One more misconception clarified — it’s not a grunts-only world. Candidates come from all areas of the Marine Corps, including communications, admin, and even the MV-22 Osprey community. As an example, Reilly points to a Marine Air-Ground Task Force planner now going through training.
“I think that’s great,” Reilly said. “He’s a success story.”
Despite the extensive requirements, the audition process is about putting your character and abilities on the line. If a Marine is weak in one area but impressive overall, he might make the initial cut at indoc and go on to reconnaissance training platoon after all, where he can continue working to correct his shortcoming.
“We keep a mental note, ‘that Marine did 25 daggone pull-ups, he’s giving all he has,’” Dervin said. “We don’t want any shortchanging. We don’t shortchange in this community.”
They do train, however, and train and train and train. Patrolling, physical exercise, swimming drills — the demands get tougher and tougher as the Marine prepares for BRC and continue when he reaches a battalion or Force Recon unit. Those unwilling to put forth the time and effort necessary will not be successful, and need not apply.
“I think everyone has the potential,” Reilly said. “Not everyone has the heart.”