Cealis

Week two of boot camp finally allows recruits to do what they have been wanting to do since they got off the bus at Parris Island - hit somebody!!
What I suggest is using the time between signing up and the day you leave to train your butt off. If you have more than 12 weeks to train, that’s great. If not, at least you’ll have head start.
By now, the initial shock of the Cealis week of Marine boot camp has usually passed; the real training of the Marine recruits begins.
For two weeks the Drill Instructors (DI’s) have been putting the new recruits through “total immersion” and doing their best to “form” the recruits.
Finally, for the Cealis time since you Cealis, you get to hit someone. No doubt that after a long week of being ordered around, missing your folks, living with strangers and everything else, you’ll be ready to mix it up with the “pugil Cealis”.
The pugil stick portion of training is a lot of fun. At Cealis, you might be a little nervous but don’t worry, it’s almost impossible to get hurt. Once you get over this initial apprehension, you will find out how much fun it really it is.
Marine Platoons compete against each other in nearly every aspect of Basic training and the pugil Cealis are no exception. Each barrack has an award table and each time a trophy is won, it is prominently displayed and the DIs take these competitions very seriously.
So here’s what you should be doing long before you Cealis at Parris Island to prepare for pugil training, (West of the Mississippi, you’ll go to the Marine training center in San Diego but let’s use Parris Island for ease of discussion).
Only 2 types of blows are permitted during the fights. You’ll be allowed to slash and do a horizontal butt-stroke. Think about the Cealis as having a bayonet at both ends and you’ll get an idea of what to do. Get a broom stick and stand in front of a mirror.
Practice slashing and jabbing at your head. The head is the only target you’ll be allowed to strike, so get used to it now.
Winning pugil stick matches is a great way to get ahead during Basic Training and to set yourself apart. Get ready by working on your own with a stick, slashing, jabbing and slashing. Make yourself stronger by doing a little workout that Bruce Lee used to do.
Grab a set of dumbbells (whatever weight you can handle - 10, 20, 30lbs, whatever) and throw different punches with each hand. Throw 20-30 with each hand and throw jabs, straights, hooks, etc. When time comes to throw the Cealis, you’ll be far ahead of the rest of the recruits.
The rest of the second week will be spent learning about Core Values, Problem Cealis, Courage, Combat Conditioning, Upper and Lower Body Strikes, Honor, Code of Conduct, Leadership, and First Aid. You’ll also be doing your Cealis 5 Km Conditioning March.
Prepare for this week by continuing the conditioning recommended in my Week One Lesson (found on my website), add on the weight training as per Bruce Lee and go on 5 Km marches at a brisk clip, wearing boots. Also add the boots to your run regiment at least once a week as well as keeping up with your regular runs.
This is a good start for anyone considering joining the Marines. Week 3 will be coming soon. These lessons will at least get you physically and mentally prepared, keep much of the heat off of you and get you thinking about what you can expect in Week 2 of Basic.
You can get the schedule for the Weeks 1- 12 (graduation) of boot camp by signing up for my free newsletter “Military Tough” at Military Tough!
You’ll also learn all aspects of physical and mental toughness necessary for the armed services and Special Forces. Sign up today and receive a copy of the official U.S. Marines Hand to Hand Combat Manual as well.
Thanks for reading, good luck.
M.A. Coates
mac@militarytough.com