A drill instructor with Company H holds the rope for a recruit to ensure his safety as he slides down the depot’s rappel tower.
As a young recruit peeks over the rappel tower’s edge, his forehead begins to perspire and his limbs begin to shake. The recruit knows he must face his fear of heights as he knows the only way off this obstacle is straight down.
He gets into position with his toes on the edge and his heels facing away from the tower. In a matter of seconds, he rappels safely to the ground.
With a little more than a week left until graduation, recruits are challenged with the depot’s 60-foot-tall rappel tower. Recruits get the opportunity to become familiar with rappelling through a basic course.
“During this training evolution, the recruits learn the basics of rappelling,” said Staff Sgt. Rafael Trevino, an instructor with instructional training company. “This also helps some of them overcome their fear of heights, and it allows them to gain trust in their equipment. This obstacle is definitely a confidence builder.”
Recruits learn the proper techniques for rappelling as well as how to create the safety harness that will hold them safely when rappelling.
The harness is made using a six-foot rope that is wrapped around the legs and hips. Then it is secured by a series of square knots.
On the modern battlefield, wars are fought in urban areas. The best way to secure a building is from the top to the bottom as it throws the enemy off, according to Sgt. Juan Lopez, an instructor with Instructional Training Company.
Recruits get the opportunity to learn several different rappelling techniques. Fast roping, wall rappelling and descending a simulated helicopter hell hole are the three different training scenarios featured on the tower.
Fast roping, a method used for quick insertion on an objective from a helicopter, is the first technique recruits learn during this training phase. Sliding down 15 feet of rope to the ground, the fast technique is similar to the way a fire fighter slides down a pole during an emergency.
The recruits must do their part when sliding down the rope to quickly clear the landing zone to prevent being landed on by the following recruit.
Each recruit has the opportunity to experience fast roping during boot camp; however, they may not have the chance to do both of the other methods due to the short amount of time for the training evolution, according to Trevino.
Like the fast rope technique, the hell hole is used for fast insertion from a helicopter. The term hell hole refers to the hole in a helicopter’s fuselage. But unlike fast roping, hell hole insertion is used with safety equipment and is done at a higher altitude. This version of rappelling is a vertical drop from the top of the tower.
The other technique recruits may learn is the wall rappel. This method is also used with safety equipment, and simulates rappelling down the side of a building.
Recruits are issued the respective safety gear prior to the training evolution. With the assistance of a tactical helmet, gloves, ropes, carabiner and a spotter, recruits make their descent safely to the ground.
Although this training only gives recruits the basics, it will benefit them later when they continue this training while they are in the Fleet Marine Force, according Trevino.
During the one-day course, recruits learn three different techniques of rappelling. Although some recruits will not be in combat units, there’s always a chance they may be called to fulfill the duty of every Marine and be a rifleman.
Overcoming the rappel tower at MCRD
For three months the recruits of Company C have overcome obstacles, swim qualification, the confidence course and countless other challenges. August 5 they overcame their biggest challenge to date.
Instructional Training Company drill instructors inspect recruits’ harnesses before allowing them to descend the rappel tower aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Aug. 5. Safety is the most important factor when recruits face the 60-foot rappel tower
The depot’s rappel tower shoots 60 feet into the San Diego skyline terrifying those afraid of heights and giving recruits exciting Marine Corps training.
“It’s just like the pool, some are afraid of water (and) others are afraid of heights,” said Sgt. Christopher Blas, drill instructor, Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. “The tower teaches them that they need to trust their equipment and their leaders. It allows them to overcome their fears, and with that confidence, they can increase what they do through a better mindset.”
Company C recruits watch as Sgt. James Barnhill an Instructional Training Company drill instructor shows them how to make their harness out of a length of rope Aug. 5. They were to follow the directions meticulously to make sure their harness was tight enough to hold them.
Company C recruits watch as Sgt. James Barnhill an Instructional Training Company drill instructor shows them how to make their harness out of a length of rope Aug. 5. They were to follow the directions meticulously to make sure their harness was tight enough to hold them.
The recruits of Company C got used to the tower by fast roping before their rappelling classes. Fast roping is a method for quick insertion on an objective from a helicopter. The recruits slide down a 15-foot rope, grabbing it with both hands and using the inner portion of their boot to control their descent. After hitting the ground, they run to collect a length of rope, a carabineer and gloves.
A recruit from Company C begins his descent down a 60-foot rappel tower Aug. 5 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Drill instructors watch the recruits from above and below to ensure their safety
A recruit from Company C begins his descent down a 60-foot rappel tower Aug. 5 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Drill instructors watch the recruits from above and below to ensure their safety
With equipment in hand, the recruits gathered on bleachers to learn how to make a rappel harness and the art of rappelling safely.
Drill instructor demonstrators showed the recruits how to go down the wall and the proper way to use their guide and brake hands. The recruits hold the rope with their left hand at about chest level and use their right hand to hold the rope at the small of their back to slow their descent. The recruits only needed to apply about 20 pounds of pressure with their brake hand to stop themselves.
To show the recruits how safe they are, demonstrators purposely fell and hung upside down on the tower while the drill instructors on the ground stopped them from falling by pulling the rope tight.
Recruits from Company C line up at the bottom of a ladder to wait to go down the rappel tower aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Aug. 5. Some recruits shook in anticipation and fear as they waited.
“Chances are they’ll have a death grip on the rope when they go down the wall anyway,” said Sgt. Garrett Griebenow, static rope suspension trainer, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion.
Before they can descend the tower they are thoroughly inspected by ITC drill instructors to make sure their harnesses are tightly secured.
“I don’t like heights, but I’m not scared, just nervous,” said Recruit Justin Lyman, Co. C, 1st RTBN. “I trust my drill instructors to save me if I fall.”
Once checked the recruits lined up at the ladder to go up the tower. At the top were ITC drill instructors ready to strap the recruits to their respective ropes. Recruits went down the wall or through a hole that was meant to simulate the “hell-hole” of a helicopter.
Recruits hit the ground running after fast roping Aug. 5. They learned how to fast rope before they received their classes on how to rappel and make their harness. Fast roping is a method of quick insertion on an objective from a helicopte
“The recruits will be going to different MOSs (military occupational specialty),” said Sgt. Derek Durazo, drill instructor, ITC, Support Battalion. “They still need to know how to do things like this.”
Upon finishing their descent, the recruits do one side-straddle hop, announce “recruit off rappel,” and then return their gear to respective areas.
“I’ve done stuff like this before,” said Recruit Robert Pena, Co. C, 1st RTBN. “I enjoyed it, it was fun.”