MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- When the season changes from fall to winter and frosty temperatures creep up onto the Depot, Standard Operating Procedures for Recruit Training mean more than simply rolling down sleeves come Dec. 1.
Cold SOP, which went into effect Oct. 24, means recruits will be issued more gear to include beanies, gloves, cold weather sleeping bags and poly-propylene tops and bottoms to ward off those winter chills that may hinder recruit training.
Although several factors go into account when dealing with the dropping temperatures, Gunnery Sgt. William S. Slade, Recruit Training Regiment operations chief, ensured that the dropping temperatures will not mean a drop in recruit training.
"Nothing really is affected ... It's all situational," he said. "You'll see recruits on that [physical training] table doing P.T. whether it's Dec. 31 or July 31."
The only way the cold weather would stop recruit training is if it was 32 degrees or below, depending on the amount of precipitation, said Slade.
"If it's just cold, we'll still be training," he said. "But if it's cold and wet, we'll look at modified training."
Also, when it gets especially cold, recruits will be provided "hot wets," which is basically a hot soup used to help keep the chills at bay.
"They'll get hot wets if they're sitting to warm the core, and they'll have [additional] gear to warm the outside of the body," said Slade.
Slade said the only one who may modify or cancel any training is the unit commander, but the drill instructors will continue to take the necessary precautions to ensure safety is upheld at all times.
"Drill instructors are going to use common sense," he said. "They're still going to do training, but they're not going to have recruits snapping in on a puddle of water. If they see it's cold outside, they'll have the recruits wear beanies and gloves."
To protect themselves against the frigid winds, recruits and permanent personnel will wear their Service Bravo uniforms at graduation, or the Service Alpha uniform, if need be. However, if the weather becomes too inclement, recruits will move inside for the ceremonies.
Basic Warrior Training and the Crucible will also run its course, said Slade. But, instead of setting up shelter halves at the bivouac site, the recruits will be moved into the sea huts for added cover.
However, no matter how arctic the weather may get, Slade said the drill instructors will continue to "stay hard" and "suck it up" in front of the recruits.
It would take more than a couple of snowflakes to stop training, he added.
"I've been out there practicing drills in flurries on the parade deck - I've been there executing the Crucible during winter when it's cold," he said.
There is one upside to winter weather.
"Well, we don't have to worry about lighting within five ..." he said.
Nevertheless, there will be times when Mother Nature causes recruit training to cease temporarily.
"There have been times when we didn't run the Confidence Course because it was frozen," said Slade.
According to Slade, if temperatures rise above 75 degrees, the appropriate Hot SOP procedures will also come into effect and the corresponding weather flag will be posted.
With Cold SOP in place, RTR is ready to endure the weather conditions head on and will continue to train recruits into Marines-in any clime or place.