ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Aberdeen Proving Ground's Shore Park was overrun with Marines last Saturday. Instead of a messy battle, however, it was a neatly, organized event that left organizers with the satisfaction that prevails when a plan comes together.
The Marine Corps Recruiting Station Baltimore brought more than 400 personnel, including more than 300 Marine recruits from around the state to APG for an annual state-wide pool function normally held at the Annapolis Naval Academy.
Dozens of Marine Corps recruiters, staff and volunteers descended on the park to set up activity sites prior to the recruit's arrival. Mostly high school students or recent graduates who have already taken the oath and are on the delayed entry program, the recruits are obligated to attend weekly training with their recruiters to prepare them for Recruit Training.
The day consisted of exercises emphasizing team-building and Espirit de Corps, pitting Sub-station against Sub-station for the top awards at the end of the day, according to Baltimore District Sgt. Maj. Yoman English.
"We expect them to learn and use the leadership and mentorship provided to become the best they can in meeting very strict standards," English said.
Training started as soon as the buses arrived. Two Drill Instructors from the Annapolis Naval Academy barked orders as the recruits hopped off, ordering them into formations. Even when ordered to sit on the ground and told to keep their heads bowed, not one became defiant or questioned the orders.
They were ready for their transition, according to Baltimore District Commander Maj. Christopher Conner. Connor leads the recruiting district of 10 Sub-Stations that includes everything east of Washington, D.C., including Delaware and the local Harford County Sub-Station in Bel Air.
Connor said the primary task of the day was establishing the all-important transformation from teens into Marines.
"It's a mental and physical process," he said. "These kids will go to Parris Island and in 13 short weeks be transformed into Marines who will fight for their nation and each other," he said.
He credits his recruiters for their diligence in searching for "that diamond in the rough that has what it takes to become a Marine."
"For every kid sitting here today, qualified to have the chance to earn that title, that recruiter might have talked to 40 people first," he said. "They work hard to find the young men and women who meet that standard; who can withstand the transformation that will last a lifetime."
Connor thanked his recruiters as well as Drill Instructors Gunnery Sgt. Pierre Tedtaotao and Staff Sgt. Dale Barbitta for making the day happen.
After lunching on MREs the recruits turned to each other in a series of exercises that tested them physically and mentally. They competed in groups and individually performing leg raises, push-ups, rope climbing, pull ups, ammo can lift competition and a tug of war.
The young Marines pulled together as one and it didn't even feel like a strange thing to do, according to one from the Bel Air Sub-Station.
Jairr Jones, a 17-year-old Edgewood High School senior, heads to Recruit Training Nov. 18. With an older brother in the Marine Corps, Jones already is looking forward to his career in Infantry Assault.
"I think this is all great, it's actually preparing us," Jones said of the exercise. "This was everything I expected. "
He said his high expectations are high based on the stories he's heard from his brother and others who joined the Corps before him.
"I expect to become more disciplined and well rounded," he said. "I also expect to have some pretty good stories to tell."
Bel Air Recruiter Sgt. Randy Jenkins who liaises regularly with Edgewood High School said recruiters are responsible for preparing recruits for the event.
"I tell them this will test them mentally and physically," he said. "We watch how they respond to the drill instructors and recommend that they look at them as mentors."
With eight years in the Marine Corps, Jenkins said he believes anyone can be a Marine as long as they are up to the challenge. "We have all kinds of jobs and great opportunities. I definitely plan to retire a Marine if the Corps will have me."
Staff Sgt. Chad Amick leads the recruiters of the Bel Air Sub-Station. He said the average day for recruiters runs from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
He said the most important advice he offers recruits, besides taking care of themselves physically, is to not give up on themselves.
"I tell them to give 150 percent to your team and be committed to yourself. When you feel like you can't do any more, push harder. It will only make you more successful. "
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