Recruits get taste of combat fitness

Photo By Cpl. Elizabeth Gleason | A drill instructor with Company F, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, encourages the recruits to push through the pain during the combat conditioning exercise aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Jan. 30. The CCX is designed to create stress and muscle fatigue to help simulate combat.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

02.22.2013

Story by Cpl. Elizabeth Gleason 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego       

SAN DIEGO - The sun was glaring and drill instructors were blaring during the combat conditioning exercise aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Jan. 30.

Recruits of Company F, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, got their first taste of what it takes to remain combat ready. While most aspiring Marines have a general understanding of the importance of being a well-rounded warrior, not all understand the dedication and rigorous training they will have to endure to achieve that level of fitness.

Recruits pushed through the hour-long circuit course that included combat rolls, low crawling and strikes among other Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques they have learned.

“Before coming (to the depot) some recruits watch a lot of combat videos,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Spangler, drill instructor, Platoon 2126, Co. F, 2nd RTBn. “They have a way of making combat look (cool), but in reality it’s not. This type of training gives them a mind and gut check. It makes them realize that combat isn’t just cool video games, it’s real and you have to work hard to prepare. Just because you’re really good at video games doesn’t make you the warrior you need to be.”

The purpose of the CCX is to introduce the role combat conditioning plays in the Marine Corps as well as help recruits understand the importance of being well-rounded, according to Spangler.

“It’s designed to create stress and muscle fatigue, it teaches them the combat mindset and prepares them for future deployments,” said Spangler. “It makes you think of how much all the Marines that have fought before us had to push through.”

Participating in the CCX gave some recruits a better understanding of what their future in the Marine Corps holds, according to Recruit Folauhola Tupouata, Plt. 2127, Co. F, 2nd RTBn.

“Physically I felt worn out but I was strong enough mentally to push through,” said Tupouata. “If I can push myself here as hard as I can, when I get to an actual combat zone it won’t be something too new for me.”

After completing recruit training, the Oakland, Calif., native will continue his training at the School of Infantry with aspirations of becoming a machine gunner.

Tupouata, who lost 67 pounds to enlist, knows he’s still not the most physically fit recruit, however he uses his passion and drive to help motivate his fellow recruits.

“Maybe if they see me, someone who is just as big or bigger than them work so hard, maybe it will give them some motivation,” said Tupouata.

For the recruits of Co. F, who are still in the first phase of training, this event was just a taste of the many challenges they will face in the weeks to come.

“I’ve always liked the quote, ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war,’” said Spangler. “You have to gut-check yourself and just push through it. Remember you’re not just doing this for yourself, you’re doing it for the Corps and all those who fought before us.”

• Date Taken: 02.22.2013
• Date Posted: 02.22.2013 14:29
• Story ID: 102396
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US