LegiStorm

By Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. Woodle | Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego | May 30, 2013

Recruits of Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, navigate through an elevated log obstacle during the Crucible confidence course at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. May 21. The series of obstacles are designed to help recruits conquer their fears and develop teamwork. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. Woodle/Released) (Photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. Woodle)

Recruits of Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, work together to carry a large ammo can across a rope during the Crucible confidence course at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. May 21. Communication and teamwork are some of the key tools recruits must utilize for them to navigate the various obstacles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. Woodle/Released) (Photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. Woodle)

Recruits of Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, perform a low crawl with their M16-A4 service rifles during the Crucible confidence course at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. May 21. The Crucible is designed to simulate real life combat situations that recruits must go through with minimal food and sleep. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. Woodle/Released) (Photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. Woodle)

During Marine Corps recruit training, each training event recruits go through serves a purpose beyond what it may seem.  For example, the obstacle course is intended to challenge recruits with various difficulties they must navigate, but the additional effect is that it gives a recruit belief in their abilities to overcome challenges they may face in the future.  The Crucible confidence course is no different; it requires recruits to combine all their training into a series of events and challenges they must overcome to earn the title of Marine.

Recruits of Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, ran through the Crucible confidence course at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 21.

The Crucible confidence course has similar challenges found in the Marine Corps Recruit Depot confidence course, with some minor variations.  Recruits must go through the entire series of events wearing their full personal protective equipment and carry their M16-A4 service rifle as well.  This greatly increases the difficulty of navigating the events, but the main challenge lies elsewhere.

“The main challenge recruits run into is working through the exhaustion from the sleep deprivation and lack of food,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew S. Montreuil, senior drill instructor, Platoon 3262, Co. M, 3rd RTBn.  “They must have the mental strength to push forward and keep moving.”

The Crucible confidence course not only makes a recruit push through the physical and mental challenges, it also offers additional challenges that recruits may find will make their Crucible easier or much harder.

“These events are designed to make recruits work on teamwork, small unit leadership, and problem solving,” said Montreuil, a Banning, Calif. Native.  “Recruits learn that they can’t do it by themselves, can only move as fast as their weakest link, and realize how important it is to have good leadership.”

For some recruits, this proved to be difficult to overcome during the course.  Drill instructors assist and train the recruits to be disciplined, physically capable, and work in small groups, but during the Crucible it is up to them to take that knowledge and apply it.

“Our drill instructors gave us the tools to be prepared for the Crucible through physical fitness, discipline, and following commands through drill,” said Recruit Leroy Coleman, Plt. 3262, Co. M, 3rd RTBn.  “Unfortunately right now we’re really struggling with teamwork due to being tired and exhausted not just from the past couple of days, but from being worn down through the entire recruit training process.”

The end result of all of the training events during Marine Corps Recruit Training is to make the best Marine to send to the Fleet Marine Force and maybe one day to combat.  Each event helps recruits become better prepared to take on the challenges that they will face throughout their Marine Corps career.

“All of the training has helped us conquer our fears and learn to push forward through challenges,” said Coleman.  “Being better than we were at the beginning of recruit training will make us be better Marines.”

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