SAN DIEGO - The eagle, globe and anchor is an emblem worn on a Marine’s uniform, but the recruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, know it represents the blood, sweat and tears shed over the past 13 weeks of Marine Corps recruit training.
During the early morning of Jan. 13, more than 400 recruits received their eagle, globe and anchor emblems at the Edson Range parade deck at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. The ceremony was held as part of the culminating event of Marine Corps recruit training.
“To get to the eagle, globe and anchor ceremony, the new Marines had to endure 13 weeks of hell,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Chromy, drill instructor, Platoon 1033, Company B, 1st RTB. “After 12 weeks of intense training, they were put to the test by having to display their new skills during the Crucible.”
The Crucible is a 54-hour training exercise held at Edson Range, which requires Marine recruits to overcome mentally and physically-demanding obstacles as a team. They undergo simulated combat stress consisting of food and sleep deprivation before claiming the title, Marine.
The last test of the Crucible is the 10-mile Reaper hike, mostly uphill. Tired, dirty and cold, the recruits descended the Reaper and approached the Edson Range parade deck. Once the parade deck was in sight, the recruits knew the hike would soon be over.
“Fortunately, everyone who started the Crucible finished,” said 1st Sgt. Sean P. Farrow, Company B first sergeant. “They executed their mission, and failure was not an option for these new Marines.”
Emotions ran high as the platoons marched across the parade deck and over the painted words of honor, courage and commitment. Tears welled in the recruits eyes as drill instructors made their way down the ranks handing out each emblem.
“It’s the biggest accomplishment I’ve completed,” said Pvt. Christopher McDonald, Platoon 1033, Company B, 1st RTB, an Aurora, Colo., native.
As a drill instructor stopped in front of each recruit, he took an eagle, globe and anchor from a box and firmly shook the recruit’s hand and called him a Marine for the first time. As the drill instructor gave the recruits their emblems, he said a few words of encouragement and expressed his pride in their accomplishments.
Once the emblems were passed out, the company commander delivered an inspiring message to the new Marines expressing his elation with their accomplishments and encouraging them to stay motivated. Then he dismissed them to shower before eating a well-deserved Warrior’s Breakfast, which included bagels, cereal, steak, eggs and more.
“They haven’t eaten [much] in the last three days, so the Warrior’s Breakfast builds the camaraderie and morale,” said Chromy.
The mess hall was stocked with treats that were appetizing to the new Marines, especially after having been tested with food deprivation. They also got the opportunity to eat with their drill instructors and ask them questions.
“Before they didn’t even get to see their drill instructors drink or eat. Now they’re sitting down with them,” said Farrow.
The new Marines endured much to get to where they are now. They can be more than proud now that they get to wear the emblem they’ve worked so hard for, said Chromy.
“They just became a part of the toughest organization in the world, said Farrow “If that’s not the most significant moment in their life, we failed them.”