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Day 4 of the USMC Educator’s Workshop started at 0515 as our weary-eyed group boarded the bus for Camp Pendleton. For those of you who are not familiar with military time, that translates to 5:15 am. We had about an hour’s drive to the base.

We were offered a continental breakfast while Lieutenant Colonel Looney, who was the commanding officer for  Camp Pendleton, gave us an overview of the field training that takes place there. He also showed a presentation, which detailed the specific activities that are part of the Crucible. The Crucible is the Marine Corp’s idea of a “final exam” for recruits.

Our next experience was the most emotional of our week at the workshop. We went to a staging area where we watched a battalion of recruits marching off the Crucible. This is the final stage of their training and upon completion they earn the title of Marine. These young men had survived about 29 miles of hiking, the 12-stall course, and the final hike called the Reaper, which is a 10-mile hike up a hill. This is done over a 3-day period in which the recruits receive approximately 4 hours of sleep and 3 pre-packaged meals total. It is a huge test of endurance and training for the recruits. It also tests their leadership and teamwork skills in the 12-stalls.

These young men we observed coming down off the Reaper were dirty, tired, and many of them looked to be not so steady on their feet. However, the pride in their faces was obvious. After dropping off their 80 pound packs, the recruits got into formation to receive their Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, medals which are the Marine Corp’s practice of confirming the recruits’ attainment of completing all requirements to become a Marine. It was a heartwarming and emotional ceremony for all in attendance.

As observers, we had seen examples of the hardships the young recruits had been through in the past 11 weeks and as Americans, we were proud to have the privilege of watching the recruits get their reward of becoming an official member of our armed forces.

We were later allowed to speak with some of these young men in the mess hall, as they were finishing up their much-deserved special breakfast of steak and eggs. The three young men I spoke with were happy and openly proud of their accomplishments and were looking forward to starting their careers in the Corps. They agreed that it was not easy, but they enjoyed the challenges.

From here we went to the rifle field range. In order to pass the marksmanship part of their training, recruits must qualify with an M-16 rifle from 200, 300, and 500 meters. We were able to witness the rifle range today. Also we were able to participate in the practice range with M-16s and 9 mm handguns. The practice area is a video game format. We were taught how to hold the rifle in four different positions and fire at targets on the screen. These rifles are replicas but are the same dimensions and weight as a real M-16. They even have recoil after firing. It was clear to me that it is very difficult to become an expert marksman as were many of the Marines I met this week. I did OK, but would need a lot more practice than the 45 minutes we spent on the range. The moderators at the practice range were good teachers because after they worked with me on proper form and aim I did much better.

The last activity at Camp Pendleton was the 12 Stalls. Here we got to experience first hand what the recruits go through at the beginning of the Crucible. We were placed into teams and sent to a stall where we were given a mission. We had to complete the mission in a specific amount of time. Each mission required planning and teamwork and each person had to participate in order to be successful. We were also dressed in flak jackets and helmets which were both very heavy. And it was hot and humid just like all the other days. My team completed our first mission successfully. Our second mission was not as successful.

When a team member is “killed” by stepping on the danger areas, that team member becomes a casualty and has to run to an area where you pick up two 20 pound ammunition boxes and run 100 yards across the dirt with them while still wearing the gear. This was a difficult task and the drill instructor is encouraging you all the way by yelling at you. I did it, and was hot and exhausted when I finished. I still enjoyed it though because it gave me a hands-on feeling of what the recruits have to go through. I wished we had the time to try all 12 of the missions, but we were out of time and had to move on.

The last part of our day was spent with the amphibious vehicles. We were given overviews and tours of the four different types of vehicles and were able to see a demonstration of one of them in action. I have included some pictures of the vehicles both on land and in water. They were pretty amazing. After the demonstration, we went into the classroom for a question and answer session with the people involved in maintaining and operating the vehicles as well as the instructors who teach Marines how to operate them.

It was a full day and the group was tired, but all of the things we experienced today will stay with us for a lifetime.