MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- The Marines of Company A have been through 12 rigorous weeks of recruit training to earn the title of Marine. During their final week at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, they began their transition into the Marine Corps.
“It is the final transition from recruit to Marine,” said Staff Sgt. Nathan J. Schoemer, drill instructor, Company A. “In this last week we teach the new Marines how to address enlisted Marines by rank instead of calling them ‘sir.’ Officers are still addressed in the same manner.”
The new Marines practiced for their graduation, received classes on the Fleet Marine Force, stood their battalion commander’s inspection, sat in the class Sharing the Legacy, participated in their motivational run yesterday and finally graduated today.
“The last week has a completely different flow, which helps us relax and relieve the stress that built up over training,” said Pfc. Robert A. Bass, Platoon 1014, Company A.
The battalion commander’s inspection is an examination of the Marines’ knowledge, appearance, bearing, and to make sure that the Marines have made the transition from recruit to Marine.
Sharing the Legacy is a class in which the new Marines get to hear the experiences and stories of Marines from past eras. Once hearing the stories of the older Marines, the new Marines prepare for the future by remembering what they have accomplished.
“It feels good to now have responsibility and being trusted to do things on our own,” said Pfc. Thomas H. Hilpisch, Platoon 1014, Company A. “We no longer dress by the numbers (a drill instructor counts down the time while the recruits dress).”
Yesterday, the new Marines conducted a four-mile run aboard the depot to motivate their visiting families.
“Over the last 12 weeks of recruit training, this week has made earning the title Marine worth it,” said Hilpisch. “I am looking forward to seeing my family on family day and showing them what I have learned in training.”
After the motivational run, the new Marines headed back to the barracks to get ready for a liberty formation before they were released for their five-hour family day liberty.
Once liberty was finished, the Marines headed back for one final night in the barracks.
“The reason we have Marine Week is to help them transition so when they arrive in the Fleet Marine Force they can conduct themselves as Marines instead of robots,” said Schoemer. “After three months, we have taught the recruits how to operate and hold themselves as Marines because they are now held to a higher standard.”