thedrifter
02-19-03, 11:02 PM
by Cpl. Amanda Harris
Marine Corps News
February 14, 2003
MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- "I just can't do it - I can't get over," shouts a recruit from the top of a cargo net.
"Yes you can," responds the drill instructor. "You made it over the Stairway to Heaven and the A-Frame - you can do this."
Another recruit climbs to the top to aid the stuck recruit, and, after a few minutes, the recruit is finally able to get over the top of the net. As he touches ground, the recruit breathes a sigh of relief, thankful he made it. But, as he goes to man the perimeter and wait for his teammates to finish, his stomach sinks as he realizes - this is only obstacle number one.
The recruit was one of the first to run Weapons and Field Training Battalion's new Combat Endurance Course. The 2.1-mile course includes 16 obstacles and will be run as part of physical training during Basic Warrior Training and then again as a station of the Crucible.
Construction on the new course began Oct. 2001 to provide recruits different exercises that require combat related teamwork and training. The first groups of recruits were able to negotiate to the course Jan. 29.
"We wanted more combat-related physical training to introduce the recruits to moving and working while wearing combat gear and boots and utes," said Maj. Craig W. Hungerford, RTR operations officer. "This course allows us to do just that."
The course is built alongside the five-mile night hike trail at Page Field, and along the way recruits stop to complete different obstacles. The obstacles range in everything from a rope bridge to barbed wire obstacles to walls that require scaling.
The response from the drill instructors has been positive so far, said Hungerford.
"It's nice to see that things are constantly being improved and changes are being made to try to make the Crucible and recruit training better for the recruits," said Drill Instructor Sgt. Marc Pace. "The course seems like it will be challenging for the recruits and will allow them to work without the aid of a DI always telling them what to do, to make sure they are confident doing things on their own."
Officials at WFTBn. say the course is also open to active-duty personnel to use for physical training.
"We wanted more combat-related physical training to introduce the recruits to moving and working while wearing combat gear and boots and utes," said Maj. Craig W. Hungerford, RTR operations officer. "This course allows us to do just that."
The course is built alongside the five-mile night hike trail at Page Field, and along the way recruits stop to complete different obstacles. The obstacles range in everything from a rope bridge to barbed wire obstacles to walls that require scaling.
The response from the drill instructors has been positive so far, said Hungerford.
"It's nice to see that things are constantly being improved and changes are being made to try to make the Crucible and recruit training better for the recruits," said Drill Instructor Sgt. Marc Pace. "The course seems like it will be challenging for the recruits and will allow them to work without the aid of a DI always telling them what to do, to make sure they are confident doing things on their own."
Officials at WFTBn. say the course is also open to active-duty personnel to use for physical training.
A recruit from Platoon 1014, Delta Co., 1st RTBn., negotiates on of the 16 obstacles on the new Combat Endurance Course at WFTBn. Construction of the course began Oct. 2001 and the first recruits negotiated the course Jan. 29. Photo by: Cpl. Amanda Harris
Sempers,
Roger
Marine Corps News
February 14, 2003
MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- "I just can't do it - I can't get over," shouts a recruit from the top of a cargo net.
"Yes you can," responds the drill instructor. "You made it over the Stairway to Heaven and the A-Frame - you can do this."
Another recruit climbs to the top to aid the stuck recruit, and, after a few minutes, the recruit is finally able to get over the top of the net. As he touches ground, the recruit breathes a sigh of relief, thankful he made it. But, as he goes to man the perimeter and wait for his teammates to finish, his stomach sinks as he realizes - this is only obstacle number one.
The recruit was one of the first to run Weapons and Field Training Battalion's new Combat Endurance Course. The 2.1-mile course includes 16 obstacles and will be run as part of physical training during Basic Warrior Training and then again as a station of the Crucible.
Construction on the new course began Oct. 2001 to provide recruits different exercises that require combat related teamwork and training. The first groups of recruits were able to negotiate to the course Jan. 29.
"We wanted more combat-related physical training to introduce the recruits to moving and working while wearing combat gear and boots and utes," said Maj. Craig W. Hungerford, RTR operations officer. "This course allows us to do just that."
The course is built alongside the five-mile night hike trail at Page Field, and along the way recruits stop to complete different obstacles. The obstacles range in everything from a rope bridge to barbed wire obstacles to walls that require scaling.
The response from the drill instructors has been positive so far, said Hungerford.
"It's nice to see that things are constantly being improved and changes are being made to try to make the Crucible and recruit training better for the recruits," said Drill Instructor Sgt. Marc Pace. "The course seems like it will be challenging for the recruits and will allow them to work without the aid of a DI always telling them what to do, to make sure they are confident doing things on their own."
Officials at WFTBn. say the course is also open to active-duty personnel to use for physical training.
"We wanted more combat-related physical training to introduce the recruits to moving and working while wearing combat gear and boots and utes," said Maj. Craig W. Hungerford, RTR operations officer. "This course allows us to do just that."
The course is built alongside the five-mile night hike trail at Page Field, and along the way recruits stop to complete different obstacles. The obstacles range in everything from a rope bridge to barbed wire obstacles to walls that require scaling.
The response from the drill instructors has been positive so far, said Hungerford.
"It's nice to see that things are constantly being improved and changes are being made to try to make the Crucible and recruit training better for the recruits," said Drill Instructor Sgt. Marc Pace. "The course seems like it will be challenging for the recruits and will allow them to work without the aid of a DI always telling them what to do, to make sure they are confident doing things on their own."
Officials at WFTBn. say the course is also open to active-duty personnel to use for physical training.
A recruit from Platoon 1014, Delta Co., 1st RTBn., negotiates on of the 16 obstacles on the new Combat Endurance Course at WFTBn. Construction of the course began Oct. 2001 and the first recruits negotiated the course Jan. 29. Photo by: Cpl. Amanda Harris
Sempers,
Roger