Recruits learn to lead at 12-Stall Crucible course
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Sept. 1, 2006) -- Throughout boot camp, recruits learn what it takes to become leaders.
Many hours are spent studying Marine Corps knowledge such as leadership traits and principles, but recruits also get the opportunity to act as leaders in the field.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4C6242013BA69D27852571DC005D381C?opendocument
Sept. 1, 2006; Submitted on: 09/01/2006 12:58:12 PM ; Story ID#: 200691125812
By Lance Cpl. Robert W. Beaver, MCRD San Diego
Covered in mud and physically and mentally fatigued, recruits are faced with challenges during the Crucible, a 54-hour field training evolution that tests recruits’ stamina, leadership and teamwork abilities.
“The purpose of this obstacle is to instill leadership and get the recruits to work together to accomplish a mission,” said Sgt. Rosell Floresmartinez, field instructor, Weapons Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
With several different obstacles spread throughout the Crucible training area on Camp Pendleton’s, mountainous terrain, the 12-Stall obstacles challenge recruits to another level. 12-Stall derives its name from a series of small obstacles, each in an area that looks similar to a horse stall.
Each obstacle may be different in design, but all have a similar task of transporting recruits and their equipment across an area with the aid of minimal props such as ropes, metal bars or wood planks.
Some areas of the obstacles are marked in red to simulate hazardous areas. If equipment touches the red area it becomes out of play. However, if a recruit touches red, he becomes a casualty and is eliminated from the obstacle. As a result, he must drag a dummy a short distance to simulate a casualty evacuation before he is able to continue the 12-Stall.
Drill instructors hand pick individuals to be leaders throughout boot camp. However, the recruits who aren’t usually leaders are placed in charge during the 12-Stall. The new squad leaders are given 20 minutes to devise a plan and a course of action for each obstacle and to accomplish the mission.
“This gives recruits who aren’t normally the guide or squad leaders a chance to lead,” said Sgt. Kabirum Labaran, drill instructor, Platoon 1009, Company A. “This also gives them the chance to feel the pressure that comes when being in a leadership position. In turn, it will make them better followers.”
Recruit Eric D. Currie, Platoon 1009, Co. A, got the opportunity to lead other recruits on a 12-Stall obstacle when his company went through the Crucible Aug. 3, marking his first time in a leadership position during boot camp.
His mission was to get a barrel and all the members of his squad across a simulated body of water using only two metal poles and a horizontal plank of wood that was positioned five feet above the ground and went across the water.
“It took a lot of thinking to do this. I got a lot of help from the other recruits,” said Currie, an 18-year-old native of Saginaw, Mich. “But I got a deeper sense of confidence in myself when we accomplished the mission.”
The 12-Stall is only the beginning of the leadership challenges Currie and his fellow recruits will face throughout their Marine Corps careers. When they find themselves in leadership positions, they will be expected to finish assigned tasks and missions quickly and with good results, which is why the 12-Stall obstacle is designed to help them think on their feet in tough conditions.