Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- After enduring 12 weeks of training, recruits of Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., were given the opportunity to take all of their knowledge and apply it in a small team, with minimal supervision from drill instructors, to overcome the challenges of the Crucible Confidence Course at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 30.
The event is part of the Crucible, which is a 54-hour test of endurance in which recruits must conquer more than 30 different obstacles while experiencing food and sleep deprivation.
The Crucible Confidence Course has similar challenges found in the depot’s course, with some minor variations. Recruits went through the entire series of events wearing full personal protective equipment and carrying their M16-A4 Service Rifles. This greatly increased the difficulty of navigating the events, however the main challenge lied elsewhere.
“This is the first time recruits are able to talk to each other and work as a team,” said Sgt. Brandon M. Whelan, senior drill instructor, Platoon 2129. “Their exhaustion and frustration with navigating the obstacles will strain their ability to work effectively in a small unit leadership environment.”
The event proved to be more difficult this time around than some may have anticipated.
“We’re tired already and we only just started,” said Recruit Daniel J. Taylor, Plt. 2129. “The sleep and food deprivation makes it harder this time to focus and pay attention to the details.”
Recruits were penalized for not paying attention to the details. If recruits did not stay together as a fire-team and execute the obstacles exactly as instructed they had to redo the entire obstacle from the beginning, and possibly, buddy drag or carry one of their team members as a simulated casualty, even if it meant having to drag one’s self through the dirt for 40 yards again.
Recruits who failed to pay attention to details or did not stay together as a fire-team were penalized by having to redo the entire event but with one of their team members as a simulated casualty.
Recruits were expected to endure hardship and difficulties while going through the obstacles. It helps teach and stress the important item that has made the Marine Corps so successful, the strength of the bond between each Marine.
“Struggling through the event together helped us develop teamwork and sense of brotherhood,” said Taylor, who was recruited out of Recruiting Sub-Station Freemont, Calif. “We also thought about all of those who did these events before us and the legacy we’re continuing.”
With obstacles completed, Co. F stepped off for their next Crucible event. Though already exhausted, they had a plan to finish strong and earn the title.
“The only way we’re going to make it is to motivate each other,” said Taylor. “We’re always going to be hungry or tired over the next couple of days, but if we push through it, soon enough we’ll be United States Marines.”