San Diego -- “Halt, who goes there?” recruits yell at the approaching stranger. Late at night a group of recruits climb out of their racks and hurry to get dressed so they can take their post around base.
The recruits of Platoon 3251, Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, patrol commonly-frequented parts of the base Dec. 16, such as the recruit Exchange, to make sure they are secure as part of interior guard training week. Interior guard is an important week during recruit training.
Every night, a different platoon is tasked with making sure that the base is well-protected. The recruits must learn to push through sleep deprivation in order to complete their assignment. The recruits have spent significant time ensuring they were prepared for this new mission.
With nightly fire watch, they learn how to keep their own squad bay secure and report their post to anyone who enters. The recruits receive classes by the drill instructors on how to take what they have already learned and apply it to real-life scenarios.
This training helps bolster their confidence, having to stand up to anyone that may approach, even the drill instructors, said Recruit Gerald Holman, Platoon 3251. The recruits are taught challenge and pass procedures that must be used for anyone trying to gain access to secured areas. The recruits must then verify the identity of anyone that approaches their post to make sure that they have access to the area.
“This teaches them the practical application of the general orders they repeat over and over,” said Sgt. Sean A. Legaard, drill instructor, Platoon 3251. “They go out and see how it works, see what it means.”
There are 11 general orders that every recruit must learn that are the guidelines that must be followed when standing post. Armed with M-16A2 service rifles, the recruits walk their posts for an hour each night, waiting for the drill instructor to bring their relief.
When the new guards arrive relief comes, the recruits show that the rifles have no rounds and pass them to the next recruits to go on post. Although the recruits are not given any ammunition for this event, they must show that they understand the importance of clearing a weapon before passing it on, and be able to demonstrate the proper procedures.
“We learn how to do it for when it actually counts,” said Recruit Jacob Bell, Platoon 3251. “When we are in combat, we have to defend our fellow Marines so they can sleep soundly and they can know they are protected throughout the night.”