thedrifter
08-17-07, 08:06 AM
Recruits learn how to kill from a distance
By TOM DAVIS, Peru Tribune
Thursday, August 16, 2007 11:32 AM EDT
TO THE READER: Tribune Managing Editor Tom Davis spent a week at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego observing training of new Marines.
€ Third in a series
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The United States Marine Corps traces its roots to 1775 when the Corps served as an infantry unit for the United States Navy. Sharing in importance along the unit's core values of “Honor, Courage and Commitment” is the ability of each Marine to be a marksman with his weapon.
The saying “Every Marine is a rifleman,” is repeated often among the Corps, and the group puts its time and money where its mouth is. Each recruit based at the U.S.M.C. Recruit Depot in San Diego (recruits from the western half of the United States and Midwest are stationed there, while the female and eastern United States recruits go to Parris Island, S.C.), ships up to Camp Pendleton, near Los Angeles, for the second phase (four weeks) of recruit training.
At Camp Pendleton, the focus of each recruit is teamwork and rifle work. Recruits spend the initial five days developing shooting skills with an M-16, practicing from distances of 200, 300 and 500 yards away, which is the furthest distance utilized in training in any branch of the military.
One senior Marine official commented during a recent graduation ceremony that “Every recruit that stands before you can hit the black of a bullseye from 500 yards away. That is something no other branch can claim.”
The first week of Phase II, which is the sixth week of boot camp, finishes with a five-mile hike, as well as more development through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, before embarking on even more marksmanship training throughout the second week.
The amount of hand-to-hand combat is extensive and critical. And no one is a better reminder of this than Sgt. Brad Kasel, who was among the recruits throughout the week.
Sgt. Kasel was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest honor aside from the Medal of Honor, for fighting off an attacker in Fallujah, Iraq, prior to his being shot seven times.
In full Marine fashion, Sgt. Kasel was not left behind. He was rescued by fellow Marines and dragged to safety, where he worked through arduous rehabilitation and is back at duty.
His story is captured in the book, “My Men Are My Heroes.”
During that second week, each Marine is tested on the Friday on his shooting, which is referred to as “Qualification Day.” To celebrate his/her accomplishment, the recruits then get to venture out for an eight-mile hike.
The third week at Camp Pendleton is referred to as “Field Week.” The examinations this week will include developing of skills in individual movement while in combat, a night-fire shooting range test, shooting at moving targets, more work in hand-to-hand combat and the dreaded “gas chamber test.” In the gas chamber, each recruit goes into the chamber with his/her mask on prior to being ordered to take it off while the room is full of tear gas.
“This gives the recruit confidence as he learns that his mask will indeed work,” a Marine drill instructor explained.
The final week involves ‘The Crucible,' a grueling three-day test of each recruit's physical, emotional and mental limits.
Next: “The Crucible,” and beyond.
Ellie
By TOM DAVIS, Peru Tribune
Thursday, August 16, 2007 11:32 AM EDT
TO THE READER: Tribune Managing Editor Tom Davis spent a week at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego observing training of new Marines.
€ Third in a series
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The United States Marine Corps traces its roots to 1775 when the Corps served as an infantry unit for the United States Navy. Sharing in importance along the unit's core values of “Honor, Courage and Commitment” is the ability of each Marine to be a marksman with his weapon.
The saying “Every Marine is a rifleman,” is repeated often among the Corps, and the group puts its time and money where its mouth is. Each recruit based at the U.S.M.C. Recruit Depot in San Diego (recruits from the western half of the United States and Midwest are stationed there, while the female and eastern United States recruits go to Parris Island, S.C.), ships up to Camp Pendleton, near Los Angeles, for the second phase (four weeks) of recruit training.
At Camp Pendleton, the focus of each recruit is teamwork and rifle work. Recruits spend the initial five days developing shooting skills with an M-16, practicing from distances of 200, 300 and 500 yards away, which is the furthest distance utilized in training in any branch of the military.
One senior Marine official commented during a recent graduation ceremony that “Every recruit that stands before you can hit the black of a bullseye from 500 yards away. That is something no other branch can claim.”
The first week of Phase II, which is the sixth week of boot camp, finishes with a five-mile hike, as well as more development through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, before embarking on even more marksmanship training throughout the second week.
The amount of hand-to-hand combat is extensive and critical. And no one is a better reminder of this than Sgt. Brad Kasel, who was among the recruits throughout the week.
Sgt. Kasel was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest honor aside from the Medal of Honor, for fighting off an attacker in Fallujah, Iraq, prior to his being shot seven times.
In full Marine fashion, Sgt. Kasel was not left behind. He was rescued by fellow Marines and dragged to safety, where he worked through arduous rehabilitation and is back at duty.
His story is captured in the book, “My Men Are My Heroes.”
During that second week, each Marine is tested on the Friday on his shooting, which is referred to as “Qualification Day.” To celebrate his/her accomplishment, the recruits then get to venture out for an eight-mile hike.
The third week at Camp Pendleton is referred to as “Field Week.” The examinations this week will include developing of skills in individual movement while in combat, a night-fire shooting range test, shooting at moving targets, more work in hand-to-hand combat and the dreaded “gas chamber test.” In the gas chamber, each recruit goes into the chamber with his/her mask on prior to being ordered to take it off while the room is full of tear gas.
“This gives the recruit confidence as he learns that his mask will indeed work,” a Marine drill instructor explained.
The final week involves ‘The Crucible,' a grueling three-day test of each recruit's physical, emotional and mental limits.
Next: “The Crucible,” and beyond.
Ellie