San Diego -- Yelling, screaming, and chaos are all things a Marine may find in battle. In order for someone to be able to effectively fight in that type of environment, they must train in such environment. Marine Corps recruit training combines all of these elements to produce Marines who are ready for any battle at any time. Drill instructors constantly test recruits so they can grow accustomed to high intensity and high-stress situations.
Recruits of Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, experienced chaos through a senior drill instructor uniform inspection aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego April 5.
The purpose of this inspection is to provide instructors an opportunity to test recruits on multiple levels besides their uniforms.
“It’s to test the knowledge that they’ve received since they’ve started training and to test their bearing to prepare them for future inspections,” said Staff Sgt. John A. Delgado Jr., drill instructor, Platoon 1006, Co. A, 1st RTBn. “For example, we have the series commander inspection and then later on the battalion commander’s inspection which is a final inspection recruits get to make sure they’re capable of being a Marine.”
Bearing is one of the traits drill instructors look for while creating chaos through yelling and stressing the recruits. Being able to stay calm when everything is going wrong is a key element Marines use in combat.
“I think the high intensity training is directly geared toward keeping our bearing in a combat situation,” said Recruit Ryan S. Sullivan, Plt. 1006, Co. A, 1st RTBn. “Being able to stay calm under the pressure of having a drill instructor in your face helps develop the ability to maintain focus and perform your duties when things get crazy.”
Being able to develop a sense of calm during inspection will not only help Marines in a combat environment, but also with their daily duties once they reach the fleet. Interaction with higher ranks and billets is inevitable; therefore, preparing recruits now will help set them up for success.
“Recruits will learn not to be afraid of rank,” said Delgado. “Even though someone of higher rank or billet is screaming in their face, there is a reason for it and they shouldn’t freak out.”
Recruits may think that the uniform inspection is just what it is, a uniform inspection with a little knowledge testing on the side. Little do they know that they are receiving an even greater lesson that will accompany them throughout the rest of their Marine Corps career. It may even end up saving their life one day.
“At the end of the day, this is all to help them perform in stressful environments,” said Delgado. “If they can’t perform just from screaming then who knows what they’ll do under fire.”