thedrifter
01-18-07, 10:10 PM
A bit of boot camp leaves mark on DoD civilians
Jan. 19, 2007
By Lance Cpl. Charlie Chavez, MCRD San Diego
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Jan. 19, 2007) -- Breaking away from the daily grind, 48 Department of Defense world-wide employees found themselves on the yellow foot prints of the depot in a small taste of Marine Corps recruit training Jan. 9-12.
The Executive Leadership Development Program is a DoD sponsored program designed to broaden leadership capabilities and provide a general understanding of the current military. Several of its members stopped at the depot and Edson Range, Weapons Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif., to witness the making of Marines.
The group battered the depot’s bayonet assault course, hiked three miles, practiced Marine Corps martial arts and underwent simulated weapons training at Edson Range.
“I expected it to be difficult, and it was,” said Love Rutledge, deputy branch head programs and resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C. “This was a great experience for us to get first-hand knowledge about the common war fighter so we can learn how to help them better.”
Visiting various military installations in the country, the group welcomed the chance to understand the difference between the services and their mission focuses.
“The entire focus of Marine Corps training seems very productive to the (centeral theme of) every Marine a rifleman,” said Air Force Maj. Joe M. Dingman, pilot, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
The transition recruits undergo between the moment they arrive for training and the day they graduate exemplifies the evolution from being an individual to working together as a team, said Dingman.
Air Force Major Steve M. Boatright, pilot, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. said he was glad he was in the Air Force, because he was beginning to understand the extreme physical fatigue and mentally exhausting tasks Marines endure.
“I have all the respect in the world for Marines and what they do,” said Boatright.
During the third day of their visit, the group attended the depot’s Morning Colors Ceremony and witnessed the graduation of the Marines of Company F.
“The small taste of Marine Corps boot camp will always be a significant experience to everyone who took part in the ELDP,” said Dingman. “The Marines represent the tip of the spear for the military; they do their mission well and lead the way for other services to follow.”
Jan. 19, 2007
By Lance Cpl. Charlie Chavez, MCRD San Diego
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Jan. 19, 2007) -- Breaking away from the daily grind, 48 Department of Defense world-wide employees found themselves on the yellow foot prints of the depot in a small taste of Marine Corps recruit training Jan. 9-12.
The Executive Leadership Development Program is a DoD sponsored program designed to broaden leadership capabilities and provide a general understanding of the current military. Several of its members stopped at the depot and Edson Range, Weapons Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif., to witness the making of Marines.
The group battered the depot’s bayonet assault course, hiked three miles, practiced Marine Corps martial arts and underwent simulated weapons training at Edson Range.
“I expected it to be difficult, and it was,” said Love Rutledge, deputy branch head programs and resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C. “This was a great experience for us to get first-hand knowledge about the common war fighter so we can learn how to help them better.”
Visiting various military installations in the country, the group welcomed the chance to understand the difference between the services and their mission focuses.
“The entire focus of Marine Corps training seems very productive to the (centeral theme of) every Marine a rifleman,” said Air Force Maj. Joe M. Dingman, pilot, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
The transition recruits undergo between the moment they arrive for training and the day they graduate exemplifies the evolution from being an individual to working together as a team, said Dingman.
Air Force Major Steve M. Boatright, pilot, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. said he was glad he was in the Air Force, because he was beginning to understand the extreme physical fatigue and mentally exhausting tasks Marines endure.
“I have all the respect in the world for Marines and what they do,” said Boatright.
During the third day of their visit, the group attended the depot’s Morning Colors Ceremony and witnessed the graduation of the Marines of Company F.
“The small taste of Marine Corps boot camp will always be a significant experience to everyone who took part in the ELDP,” said Dingman. “The Marines represent the tip of the spear for the military; they do their mission well and lead the way for other services to follow.”