Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Only a few feet separated the three recruits from each other as they were given the order to attack. Armed with padded sticks, two of them attacked their single opponent.
Recruits of Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, conducted two -on-one pugil stick matches at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, June 12.
The matches ended when either the single fighter was knocked off the fighting platform, they received a blow to the head or if he knocked both opponents off the platform.
Although the recruits donned protected equipment such as a helmet, mouth piece and groin protector, there was nothing to protect them from the gut wrenching feeling before a fight.
Even though recruits were paired by weight, occasionally a smaller recruit was matched against much larger recruits.
As Recruit Horacio J. Sotelo, Platoon 1065, awaited his turn, he couldn’t help but notice his opponents were much taller than him.
“I have butterflies in my stomach because it worries me that they’re bigger. But it doesn’t bother me too much because I see it as just another challenge,” said Sotelo, a De Queen, Ark., native. “I might be able to catch them by surprise. They’re taller and will probably attack high, I’ll attack low.”
Every time a trio of recruits attacked each other the clash could be heard like helmets at a football game. Each match not only produced intensity and force, but it also developed a valuable confidence in each recruit.
Sgt. John D. Weltzin, drill instructor, Platoon 1065, explained he believes pugil sticks are a confidence builder for recruits because he remembers the event instilling confidence in himself as a recruit.
“When I did pugil sticks, I was a real timid person. But, I gained confidence from it, and the next time we did it I was ready,” said Weltzin. “I won my next fight.”
Weltzin explained one bout of pugil sticks doesn’t cure being timid or fix a lack of confidence, but in conjunction with the rest of recruit training, it helps build a stronger person.
“Some recruits are born fighters, they see an opponent and are ready,” said Weltzin. “Some recruits are timid, we (drill instructors) focus a little more on the timid ones and try and get them there, too.”
Sotelo agreed with Weltzin and said he’s glad recruits participate in pugil sticks matches.
“It takes away a little fear and instills a little confidence, but I wouldn’t recommend it for the elderly,” said Sotelo with a grin.