Alpha Company recruits battle against each other

Photo By Sgt. Angelica Annastas | Recruits of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, compete against each other during Pugil Sticks III at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, March 29. The recruits were taught offensive and defensive techniques in their Marine Corps Martial Arts Program classes, and this included learning bayonet techniques with their rifles. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Alpha Company is scheduled to graduate April 22.  

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

03.29.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Angelica Annastas 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

Qualifying for a spot in training to become a United States Marine comes with a lot of opportunities. Recruits are exposed to many simulated situations while aboard the depot and they get the opportunity to experience what it is like to fight to overcome difficult situations.
Recruits of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, battled each other during Pugil Sticks III at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, March 29.
Before tackling the event, recruits ran through Bayonet Assault Course III, which was a course that required them to maneuver past different obstacles with bayonets attached to the end of their rifles. After completing the course with bayonets, they went straight to preparing to battle with pugil sticks.
Without a chance to catch their breath, the recruits sprinted over to the area designated for the event. Tables with protective gear were set up next to trails that led to an enclosed area that had only two exits for each recruit.
A handful of recruits were chosen to help the other recruits put on the protective gear, which included a helmet, groin protector, flak jacket, and a pugil stick that simulated a rifle.
Before each bout, the recruits were paired up by their weight to ensure an even match.
A drill instructor with Instructional Training Company, Recruit Training Regiment, refereed the fights. He blew a whistle to indicate the start and end of a match.
“You really had to find enough courage to go up against someone else in a situation like that,” said Recruit Beau J. Berg, Alpha Company. “It was a different experience, but I think it was very important for us to go through. This is what Marines have to deal with in combat, and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to undergo [Marine Corps Martial Arts Program] training.”
The recruits were taught offensive and defensive techniques in their MCMAP classes, which included learning bayonet techniques with their rifles.
Recruits were encouraged to us any technique necessary to overcome their opponent during their single match. A blow to the head or multiple strikes would result in a victory for a recruit.
“I think it was intimidating for some of the recruits because they didn’t want to get injured,” said Berg, native of Helena, Mont. “If we weren’t aggressive though, we would probably lose the match. It was important for us to try and understand what it would be like having to go up against the enemy.”
Later in training, during the Crucible, the recruits will get a chance to battle in a similar event called body sparring.

• Date Taken: 03.29.2016
• Date Posted: 03.31.2016 15:58
• Story ID: 194017
• Location: MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, CA, US