Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Not many careers require knowledge of combat care, however, being a Marine is not just any career. As a military branch nicknamed America’s “911 Force,” the Marine Corps starts combat readiness groundwork early in recruit training.
Recruits of Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, received a three-hour course on combat care aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Jan. 30.
The recruits viewed vivid pictures of various injuries, followed by demonstrations of treatment and concluded their class with practical application.
Many recruits sighed in disgust at the gory images, but quickly collected themselves as the lesson progressed into visual demonstrations with dummies.
The treatment of the sucking chest wound, closed and open fractures and flesh wounds, were all injuries demonstrated in the class.
During the examples, a Marine instructor showed recruits how to use various first aid supplies such as gauze and compression wraps. These are just some of the materials found in a Marine’s individual first aid kit. Other materials include water purification tablets, iodine and antibiotic ointment.
After the examples recruits were given the opportunity to ask questions and practice the techniques on their own.
“No matter who you are, you need to know this. You don’t need to be part of the infantry to be sent to Afghanistan,” said Recruit Daniel G. Covey, Plt. 3242, Co. L, 3rd RTBn. “It’s also important in day- to-day life. One of your family members or children could be hurt.”
Drill instructors watched over their recruits with the look of a stern teacher who knows all too well the importance of the material. Though the amount of material covered is large, drill instructors are not worried about the knowledge being too much for recruits to handle.
“I think their motivation is to live up to the example set by drill instructors,” said Sgt. Brandon J. Cobb, drill instructor, Plt. 3243, Co. L, 3rd RTBn. “With what they learned I believe they could effectively treat an individual’s wounds.”
Questions continued to pour in and it appeared the recruits were thoroughly interested. From the answered questions and time given to practice, recruits seemed to have an increased confidence in their first aid abilities.
“Knowing that these kinds of injuries can happen in everyday situations makes me feel like I need to know this and study in my free time,” said Recruit Cody A. Harma, Plt. 3243, Co. L, 3rd RTBn.
Although these recruits are not yet Marines, they are already training with a Marine mentality. Should an incident arise, recruits have confidence in their first aid training.