Photo By Lance Cpl. Francisco Abundes | Two Alpha Company recruits simulate fighting with bayonets during the Crucible Nov. 21.... read more read more
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PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Recruits from Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, battled within the confines of the Octagon during the Crucible, Nov. 21.
The Octagon is an arena where recruits face each other in body sparring and pugil stick bouts. The gladiator-like event challenged their endurance, control and combat frame of mind.
“The purpose of the event and pugil sticks in general is to provide an initial inoculation into interpersonal violence for the recruits,” said Sgt. Freddie Groen, chief instructor at Leatherneck Square. “The Crucible is the culminating event, but here, it’s their last chance to engage in a fight and develop the proper mindset.”
The wooden arena’s high walls prevent the recruits waiting outside from catching a glimpse of the bouts within. The only way into the eight-sided ring is through one of four hallways jutting out of the arena. The only way to enter the hallways is by donning their gear, ready to fight.
“[Recruits] have to understand that it’s not a game when we go out there,” Groen said. “It’s not sports fighting – they’re going in there defending their lives.”
Either the enemy dies, the fighter dies or they both do, Groen continued. The recruits need to keep an offensive mindset and use the techniques they were taught in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program to destroy their opponent.
“I don’t have much of an opportunity to fight at home,” said Pfc. Ethan Doute, Platoon 2102, Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. “But that’s why we’re here, to become warriors – and this is the true test of that.”
Doute said the event helped him learn control.
“It gave me a chance to find out how to control an adrenaline rush, because there is a very large one right before you get into the fight,” he said. “You have to learn how to control that so you don’t burn yourself out.”
Doute said the scariest part was not knowing who he would fight.
“[Recruits] don’t know if they’re going to be defending themselves from someone swinging wildly or if they’re going to have someone go in there and execute perfect technique and plant a pugil stick right in their face guards; it’s fear of the unknown,” Groen said.
Once in the arena, it is up to the recruit to come out on top. If he chooses to execute everything he has learned and control himself, he will leave successfully, Groen said. But if the recruit chooses to not follow the rules or not attack, they have to pay.
“We want to see controlled aggression,” Groen said. “If they’re violating the rules we’ll kick them out and let the drill instructors deal with them in the penalty box.”
Groen said the penalty box reinforces what is being taught. Recruits must perform exercises that the drill instructors order quickly and correctly while under intense pressure.
“They have to move faster in order to gain the tactical advantage,” Groen. “So it gives them the opportunity to realize how important initial contact is.”
Once the recruits fought in both the body sparring matches and pugil sticks, they tended to the rest of their gear needed for the Crucible. They had finished one day time event, five were left.
| Date Taken: | 12.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.01.2011 09:45 |
| Story ID: | 80771 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 219 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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