Delta Company recruits tackle the MCMAP test

Photo By Sgt. Angelica Annastas | Recruits of Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, conduct forward break-falls during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Test at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, March 9. To initiate the technique, recruits started on their knees before properly falling forward to the ground. The recruits also conducted hand-to-hand combat techniques and learned various movements with knives and rifles. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Delta Company is scheduled to graduate April 1.  

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES

03.09.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Angelica Annastas 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego         

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO - A pivotal piece in the transformation from recruit to Marine is knowing how to conduct Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques.

The martial arts training is just one piece of the puzzle the recruits must master while aboard the depot. During week nine of training, recruits of Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, underwent a MCMAP test March 9, to demonstrate what they learned so far.

Since their first week of training, recruits have participated in MCMAP classes taught by MCMAP instructors. They learned basic offensive and defensive techniques while quickly developing their own warrior mindset.

The recruits conducted hand-to-hand combat techniques and learned various movements with knives as well as rifles.

“We had to retain a lot of information from all of the MCMAP classes,” said Recruit Parker W. Winn, Delta Company. “It wasn’t just learning the different techniques. I think our instructors wanted us to understand more about the warfighting mindset that they’ve been trying to instill in us.”

For the event, each MCMAP instructor took their place in the MCMAP pit designated for the test. Twenty recruits at a time took the test as the instructors evaluated.

If a recruit received more than five marks during the test, whether it be conducting the wrong technique or not knowing what to do, he failed the test. Recruits who didn’t pass the first time will remediate and have another chance to pass the test.

“Our drill instructors [trained] us to become basically qualified Marines,” said 18-year-old Winn. “We’ve had so many MCMAP classes, and I think [we were] all ready to finally earn our very own tan belt.”

The tan belt is the first belt a Marine earns as a recruit, and they can eventually level up to earn the gray, green, brown and black belt later in their careers.

“They wanted us to be prepared for the things to come, even if it was just by learning the basics,” said Winn, native of Tucson, Ariz. “I think we know enough now to at least take action when the time calls for it. It felt pretty good being able to have the opportunity to experience all of that.”

• Date Taken: 03.09.2016
• Date Posted: 03.11.2016 11:47
• Story ID: 192047
• Location: MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, US