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SALT LAKE CITY — Several Utahns are training at the Marine Corps Recruit Deport in San Diego and they gave an inside look into their experiences at boot camp.
U.S. Marines have earned a reputation for toughness, and much of that image starts with the grueling physical tests in boot camp. The trainers typically instruct their Marine recruits to shout a "war cry" throughout their exercises as part of their
"Once they become a marine, they're going to be a marine for the rest of their life," said U.S Marine drill instructor Sgt. Paul Espindola.
Ogden Marine recruit, Dalton Peterson, said that the group works together and push each other until they succeed in their tasks. He said that they work hard to improve their performance throughout the three months of boot camp.
"There's been days when it's been really tough," Peterson said. "I'm ready to show the fleet I've got what it takes."
Every Marine is a rifleman and part of their training is spent working on marksmanship. The Marine Corps also believes that fitness is critical to combat readiness and everyday performance. Physical fitness is contributed as a key to leadership.
A bayonet course is used to simulate combat challenges, and recruits with M-16s are required to charge through the course as a four-man team. The recruits have to wait at several stations until each Marine rejoins their team.
"Turning into an adult, this is the training I would like," said recruit Ethan Pfister about his experiences at boot camp.
The Marines are also required to pass a semi-annual physical fitness test after boot camp. The standards are challenging to ensure that the Marines stay in top shape.
