Visiting Marine Recon Training Company

May 22nd – Camp Pendelton – California

8:30 AM Note: See the photos section for lots of photos!

Today is starting out to be a pretty special day for me. I made into California yesterday and am staying with my second cousin Jake and his family in Temecula California. Jake is a master gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps. MGySgt Jake Franks is the top enlisted person at the Reconnaissance Training Company at Camp Pendelton. Jake took me on a tour of the Recon Training Company’s facilities and introduced me to many of the training staff NCO’s and officers. As a former Recon Marine, it was fascinating to see how far the training, equipment and tactics have come since I served (79-82).

We arrived early and Marines were already training prior to 7 am. Prior to attending the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC), Marines must pass the Recon Training and Assessment Program (RTAP). About ½ of the those selected for RTAP pass the physically challenging course. Another 25% will not make it through the Basic Reconnaissance Course, meaning only 35 to 40 of every 100 marines selected for recon training will become recon marines. The first thing I saw when I got there was lines of marines running with a weighted sand bag held on their backs behind their necks. Running from one end of the parking lot, turn around and repeat. Not far away another group was doing pull-ups with the weighed packs on their backs. Always with an instructor nearby.

We then went to look at the pool, the largest in the Marine Corps, 50 x 32 meters. I’ll get the chance to watch some of the STUDs (students) training in the pool later today.

Jake then took me through an impressive tour. History is celebrated in the Marine Corps, and it was on full display. Hand-made flags from each (east coast) graduating class going back to 1979. Back then the school was called Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS). Decorated paddles adorned the walls. A conference room filled with photos of recon marines killed in action in the global war on terror. And a board filled with badges with the name of each ARS honor graduate. It’s already been a memorable day and it’s only 9:30 am. Looking forward to seeing more.

Tomorrow, I have a 3-hour meeting/lab tour of the Jason Sicklick lab at the Moore Cancer Center, University of California, San Deigo. It’s an interesting week!

Jerry