Photo Information

Platoon 1027 recruits, Company B, provide security for their squad mates during one of the 11 obstacles of the 12-stall event of the Crucible at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 28. Recruits learn that every member of a squad is needed in one way or another; whether it is leading, following directions to complete the objective or protecting the rest of the squad by providing security, the mission will most likely fail unless every Marine does his part.

Photo by Cpl. Matthew Brown

Crucible helps recruits become part of well-oiled war machine

8 Oct 2010 | Cpl. Matthew Brown Marine Corps Training and Education Command

There are many reasons well-rounded Marines make the Corps what it is today. However, all the traits that make effective warriors are useless unless they can be tied together to transform a bunch of well trained “guys with guns” into a nearly unstoppable force.

For the Marines of Company B, these traits are first instilled during recruit training and then tested and hardened at the 12-stall event of the Crucible, Sept 28.

The Crucible is a 54-hour training event conducted during Marine Corps Recruit Training at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. The Crucible requires Marine recruits to overcome mentally and physically-demanding obstacles as a team.

 “We aren’t super men,” said Staff Sgt. Leo Librando, drill instructor, Platoon 1028, Company B. “We have to work as a team to accomplish what we do.”

They undergo simulated combat stress scenarios which consist of food and sleep deprivation in addition to the rigors of the many obstacles they are required to overcome.

“Communication and teamwork are everything,” said Librando. “If they can’t use teamwork and communicate while on the Crucible, how are they going to be able to use it when in combat?”

The course consists of 12 different stations, 11 of which require recruits take turns as the squad leader and attempt to lead their team to accomplish different types of missions.

“The whole mission of 12-stall is to introduce leadership traits so if you haven’t been in a leadership position, now is your time to shine.” said Cpl. Miguel Bautista, field instructor, Field Co., Weapons and Field Training Battalion. “Most of these recruits are straight out of high school and don’t have any real leadership experience so we have to build from scratch.”

On the variety of obstacles, there are areas painted red that, if touched by a recruit, means death. As a result, they must carry ammunition cans up and down the nearby road before they continue to participate with their squad.

“If the squad leader dies, then another recruit has to be able to take his position and know what’s going on and what the plan was,” said Bautista. “In actual combat, if something happens to a fire team leader or any leader, the next Marine needs to be able to take the position and each Marine under him as well.”

Bautista added that communication becomes less necessary during exercises if the team has communicated and planned properly before the event.

“If everybody understands what’s going on, you really don’t need to talk, you just do your part and see what others are doing and do what you know needs to get done,” Bautista said. “If the first plan doesn’t work though, communication and cooperation become key if the mission is to get accomplished.”

According to Librando, the communication recruits had learned thus far turned out to be effective because mission failure was rare. These skills are only the beginning of what recruits will learn during their time in the Corps.

“It’s a foundation that they will bring with them and build off of during additional training and eventually, when they join the fleet,” said Librando. “It’s the first step to them becoming well-rounded Marines.”

Librando added that if new Marines keep developing their communication, following, leading and teamwork skills, then the Marine Corps will continue accomplishing missions around the world and remain the world’s finest fighting force.


Marine Corps Training and Education Command