MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, San Diego -- High school administrators, teachers and counselors from Recruiting Stations Portland, Ore., and Salt Lake City participated in a week-long synopsis of Marine Corps recruit training during the Educators Workshop Monday through today.
The educators started off their first day of the workshop aboard the depot by being greeted by the legendary Marine Corps drill instructors.
When the buses came to a stop in front of the famous yellow footprints, the drill instructors boarded the buses in a fury, making their presence known by yelling orders at the educators.
After giving the educators commands to get off the buses and lining them up on the yellow footprints, the drill instructors paced up and down the rows barking commands and ensuring the educators snapped to the proper position of attention.
Following several minutes of controlled chaos, the drill instructors stopped yelling and took the time to congratulate the educators for surviving the first few minutes of Marine Corps recruit training.
The educators were then taken on a tour of the rest of the receiving process by their drill instructor guides.
“Having the educators aboard the depot is a good thing,” said Sgt. Jaime Soto, drill instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion. “It helps expand their minds and lets them see recruit training. It shows them that we aren’t creating killing machines, but instead instilling morals and values into the young Marines.”
The educators also attended classroom briefs describing the entire enlistment process, including recruiting, joining the Marine Corps, boot camp graduation, the Fleet Marine Force, and Marines’ lifestyles.
They also visited various training sites around the depot. They watched demonstrations of water survival training at the depot Swim Tank, Marines tackle the confidence course, and received a class on the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Educators were also invited at the end of the first day to take part in the Bayonet Assault Course on the depot.
Through this course, the educators maneuvered through obstacles; crawled through tunnels; and navigated a rope bridge. The whole time they were suited in flak jackets and Kevlar helmets, while carrying rubber M16-A2 service rifles with rubber bayonets attached to engage training targets when they reached the end of the course.
“I’ve always had plenty of respect for those who are willing to sacrifice their time and sometimes lives for their country,” said Jodi Meyerson, English teacher, American Leadership Academy, South Spanish Fork, Utah. “Understanding what they go through only amplifies that respect. I see how much good this could do for some of my students.”
The educators also visited Weapons Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to witness firing and field training.
The Educators also toured Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., where they talked to a panel and viewed a static display of air crafts. Educators leaving the depot today said that they now have a better understanding of the Marine Corps and its young men and women.