Recruits test Corps knowledge, practical application skills
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Aug. 18, 2006) -- Before the recruits of Company M were dismissed by their drill instructors from recruit training, they were challenged both in mind and body while making the three-month transformation into Marines.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/C2755C4427A49F3A852571CD005829C0?opendocument
Aug. 18, 2006; Submitted on: 08/17/2006 12:02:58 PM ; Story ID#: 200681712258
By Lance Cpl. Robert W. Beaver, MCRD San Diego
When they weren’t conducting some form of physical training or field exercise, recruits were learning in the classroom.
As early as one week after they began training, they learned about Marine Corps customs and courtesies, rules and regulations, uniforms and history. Further into training they learned basic first aid techniques such as how to clear the airway on someone who is choking and apply dressings to wounds.
“Everything they learn here will help them with their career as a Marine,” said Staff Sgt. Johnny Robinson, an academic instructor with Academic Instruction Platoon.
Near completion of recruit training, the recruits are tested on everything they learned. The test includes a 152 multiple choice question exam on the knowledge they learn and a practical application test where they perform life saving techniques.
“These recruits will be in Iraq soon,” said Staff Sgt. James Brooks, drill instructor with Company M. “The corpsman may not always be around during an emergency so they have to know how to save other Marines’ lives on their own.”
Currently, the first aid portion of the test is done indoors at eight different stations. Each station has a different technique recruits must pass. The Marine Corps plans to change this within the next few years by creating a more realistic environment.
By the year 2008, Robinson says the first aid portion of the practical examination will be taken in a simulated combat environment. With gunfire sound effects in the background, recruits will have to low-crawl from station to station to test their skills on dummies that have different injuries.
According to Robinson, a 32-year-old native of Savanna, Ga., the training is better now than it was when he was in recruit training and it will continue to advance in the future.
As the Marines of Company M leave the depot and continue their careers as Marines, the knowledge that was instilled in them during bootcamp will not only make them successful Marines, but better Americans
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