MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, San Diego -- Instilling warrior ethos and preparing Marines for close-combat environments is what Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training is all about. Company I recruits received a small dose of warrior training April 6 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
As the recruits of Co. I approach the final test to earn their MCMAP tan belts, they learned lower body strikes early found in the curriculum. During phase three recruits test-out for their tan belts. This is one of the requirements to graduate recruit training.
“This is the foundation of what we are as warriors,” said Gunnery Sgt. Eric Ramirez, senior drill instructor, Platoon 3210, Co. I, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. “These basic skills can be applied in combat.”
To simulate a combat environment, the recruits are put through multiple warm up exercises to get their heart rates up. After learning kicks, knee strikes and stomps, recruits practiced lower body strikes on each another and with kicking bags.
“It’s repetitive, so it tires us out,” said Recruit Alexander Keith, Plt. 3209, Co. I, 3rd RTBn. “This training is just a small taste of what we could be doing in combat.”
During first phase, recruits learn all of the basics of MCMAP, from the proper fighting stance to armed manipulation. Basic chokes, weapons of opportunity and knife techniques are other MCMAP skills Co. I has learned.
“I feel the stance was the most important thing I’ve learned because the instructors have taught us, if you can connect with your target you use less energy,” said Keith. “But if you don’t have a proper stance you’re more likely to miss.”
Staff Sgt. Jason Lasdon, martial arts instructor, Martial Arts Satellite School, Recruit Training Battalion, said now that the recruits know how to use their upper bodies as a weapon they need to learn lower body techniques. The upper body techniques consisted of the eye gauge, hammer fist, elbow strikes and more.
As the recruits demonstrate the techniques on each other, their drill instructors run around correcting improper form and techniques. This makes sure they’re practicing the moves correctly and keeps the recruits’ on edge as if they were in combat.
“Having this martial arts training will help make the recruits more efficient fighters,” said Lasdon. “In the event they lose their weapon or can’t reload their ammo, recruits will know how to defend themselves.”
Once they become Marines, they will have opportunities throughout their careers to learn advanced MCMAP techniques and build on the foundation they have started at recruit training.