thedrifter
08-11-07, 03:56 PM
Marines endure tough training
By TOM DAVIS
Friday, August 10, 2007 11:27 PM EDT
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The pride that each United States Marine displays is almost palpable upon meeting one. Their confidence, their physical stature, their belief in the Marine core values, which are “honor, courage and commitment,” are tremendously admirable.
Each Marine displays this pride due to the fact that each and every one of them, regardless of their occupation in the Corps, began by having to complete the toughest recruit training of any military branch in the United States.
“America doesn't need a Marine Corps. We are a tax burden on this country,” Staff Sergeant Duane Black said bluntly. “America wants a Marine Corps. Because since 1775, nobody has done it any better. We're the best.”
The recruits endure 13 weeks of training, longer than any other military branch, and they must accomplish a number of skills and examinations that other branches don't require.
“It costs $15,000 to train a recruit,” Captain Mike McDowell explained. “So we have a lot invested in these Marines.”
The boot camp period is broken into three four-week phases, following the initial week of processing paperwork, receiving the Marines at the USMC Recruit Depot and getting the recruits adjusted both mentally and physically to their new, albeit startling, surroundings.
“There is no magic, no mystery,” Colonel Mark Callahan explained of the making of Marines. “It's just a lot of hard work.”
Following the first week the first phase gets under way, which provides instruction on a variety of tasks, including physical fitness (1.5 mile runs are frequent), martial arts (the art of throwing the proper punch is taught), Marine history, as well as its customs and courtesies.
The second week will include more instruction on the history of the Corps, again, more hours are devoted by the Marines to this subject
matter than any other military branch. During this week recruits will also develop hand-to-hand combat skills utilizing pugil sticks, which are similar to the padded sticks that you and your brother used to knock the crap out of each other with as kids, as well as more martial arts instruction, with a focus on strikes and counter strikes. The week concludes with the testing of each Marine on a circuit course, which provides a number of physical strength and endurance challenges.
A similar course, but more difficult in some ways opens the third week, which is called the “Confidence Course.” Other tests this week will include log drills, the teaching of first aid, with special emphasis on medical applications during combat, training on sprinting, and more work in hand-to-hand combat. The units will also conduct their initial marching drill to conclude the week.
The final week of the first phase will open with swim training, which involves jumping off of a high platform - in full gear - and swimming lengthy distances while weighted down. It will also include another “confidence course,” which places the Marines at a high level and they must rappel across a wide gap, more martial arts training, this time working on a variety of choke holds, more work with the pugil sticks and finally, a series inspection to close the week. At this time, the recruits are loaded onto buses and their four weeks of training at Camp Pendleton await them.
Ellie
By TOM DAVIS
Friday, August 10, 2007 11:27 PM EDT
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The pride that each United States Marine displays is almost palpable upon meeting one. Their confidence, their physical stature, their belief in the Marine core values, which are “honor, courage and commitment,” are tremendously admirable.
Each Marine displays this pride due to the fact that each and every one of them, regardless of their occupation in the Corps, began by having to complete the toughest recruit training of any military branch in the United States.
“America doesn't need a Marine Corps. We are a tax burden on this country,” Staff Sergeant Duane Black said bluntly. “America wants a Marine Corps. Because since 1775, nobody has done it any better. We're the best.”
The recruits endure 13 weeks of training, longer than any other military branch, and they must accomplish a number of skills and examinations that other branches don't require.
“It costs $15,000 to train a recruit,” Captain Mike McDowell explained. “So we have a lot invested in these Marines.”
The boot camp period is broken into three four-week phases, following the initial week of processing paperwork, receiving the Marines at the USMC Recruit Depot and getting the recruits adjusted both mentally and physically to their new, albeit startling, surroundings.
“There is no magic, no mystery,” Colonel Mark Callahan explained of the making of Marines. “It's just a lot of hard work.”
Following the first week the first phase gets under way, which provides instruction on a variety of tasks, including physical fitness (1.5 mile runs are frequent), martial arts (the art of throwing the proper punch is taught), Marine history, as well as its customs and courtesies.
The second week will include more instruction on the history of the Corps, again, more hours are devoted by the Marines to this subject
matter than any other military branch. During this week recruits will also develop hand-to-hand combat skills utilizing pugil sticks, which are similar to the padded sticks that you and your brother used to knock the crap out of each other with as kids, as well as more martial arts instruction, with a focus on strikes and counter strikes. The week concludes with the testing of each Marine on a circuit course, which provides a number of physical strength and endurance challenges.
A similar course, but more difficult in some ways opens the third week, which is called the “Confidence Course.” Other tests this week will include log drills, the teaching of first aid, with special emphasis on medical applications during combat, training on sprinting, and more work in hand-to-hand combat. The units will also conduct their initial marching drill to conclude the week.
The final week of the first phase will open with swim training, which involves jumping off of a high platform - in full gear - and swimming lengthy distances while weighted down. It will also include another “confidence course,” which places the Marines at a high level and they must rappel across a wide gap, more martial arts training, this time working on a variety of choke holds, more work with the pugil sticks and finally, a series inspection to close the week. At this time, the recruits are loaded onto buses and their four weeks of training at Camp Pendleton await them.
Ellie