SAN DIEGO - Physical development is important throughout recruit training. Recruits are tested during each phase to see where they stand through training events, which are designed to measure one’s physical strength, agility, endurance and improvement.
The recruits of Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, were seen sprinting back and forth between yard lines as they participated in ability groups for the second time Oct. 11 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
The purpose of having recruits run in ability groups is to see how they’ve developed physically since they ran their initial strength test when they arrived at the depot three weeks prior, explained 1st Sgt. Kevin Hutson, company first sergeant, Co. E, 2nd RTBn.
“The first phase of training is to build up strength and prepare recruits for future physical events, basically setting a foundation for them,” said Hutson. “Ability groups are just one way of building up that strength.”
Depending on the recruit’s performance during these training events, drill instructors will be able to identify the weakness of a recruit’s physical performance and will give that recruit proper remediation.
Each dynamic exercise specifically focuses on improving strength and endurance for running, so that recruits can get a higher score when they run their physical fitness test, explained Hutson.
The PFT is an annual event that every Marine must run. It consists of pull-ups, timed sit-ups, and a timed three-mile run.
Recruits are split into eight groups, each lead by a drill instructor. Every station has exercises that vary from sprints, crunches, planks, push-ups, cut-drills, and ammunition can lifts that are intended to help improve cardio, endurance, strength, balance and agility.
They are required to be at each station for a minute. Once the minute is up, they go to the next station until the next whistle blast.
Once the stations are over, they are then split up into ability groups based on their initial strength test run time. Then, they go for a two-mile run set at a drill instructor’s pace.
“I feel that these drills and exercises really do help us improve,” said Recruit Ted Rahmlow, Co. E, Platoon 2115. “It shows you where you stand physically and what you should be doing to develop yourself.”
Rahmlow, a 19-year-old Manitowoc, Wis. native, explained how he struggled during the two-mile run during the first ability groups.
“Running is definitely one of my weak points,” said Rahmlow. “I was able to keep a steady running pace this time, so I’ve been improving.”
Company E is scheduled to run their initial PFT Oct. 19. Based on their performance during ability groups, the recruits now have an idea of what they need to do in order to be successful.
“Most recruits don’t know their limits when they get here, they don’t know how to push through that threshold of pain,” said Hutson. “Events like these push them out of their comfort zone and make them perform.”