Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Expressions of nervousness and tension blanketed the faces of recruits as they were brought into the squad bay that will be their home for the next 12 weeks.
Recruits of Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, conducted pick up at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 18.
Pick up is the first official training day for recruits, and it is the first time they meet their platoon drill instructors.
Although the introduction started with a calm and relaxed tone, it was just the calm before the storm. Once the senior drill instructors were done with the formalities, the drill instructors took charge of the recruits and began barking out their first commands.
“Get on line! Get on line!” yelled the drill instructors.
Inside the squad bay are three rows of bunk beds and in front of each bed are two foot lockers for equipment. Drill instructors placed the recruits in front of their racks and began calling out each piece of issued gear. Recruits responded by raising each item to show they had it.
Drill instructors yelled for the recruits to move quickly, and the transition from the calm to the chaotic seemed to stress many of the recruits.
“Your heart starts racing and your adrenaline starts pumping when they’re yelling at you to move at lightning speed,” said Recruit Anthony J. Mesa, Platoon 2129.
Sgt. Anthony J. Juedes, drill instructor, Platoon 2129, explained he brings as much intensity as possible on pick up day because it leaves a lasting impression on the recruits.
“The drill instructors had a lot of intensity, their veins were coming out of their necks and they were all sweaty,” said Mesa, a Las Vegas native.
Juedes said the intense first impression is crucial in quickly establishing willingness and obedience to orders.
“If you don’t establish that shock and awe in the beginning, you’re just another guy talking,” said Juedes. “Having intensity sets the tone that if I say something, (they’re) going to listen.”
Once the chaotic mess of issued gear items ceased and the tempo was brought back down, it appeared the recruits were relieved they had weathered the storm.
“Coming in I was really nervous because of all the videos I’d seen on Marine recruit training and what I’ve heard from others who graduated,” said Mesa. “But afterwards I felt a sense of accomplishment knowing I’m on my way to becoming a Marine.”
With the introductions and gear inspection completed, new Company F recruits can focus on the bigger challenges that lie ahead in Marine Corps recruit training.