Interview with a Marine

In this post, we interview a Marine with a long professional career, who will explain everything, from how his beginnings in the military were, his time in Naval Police, EOS, what his day-to-day life is like, and much more.

We hope you like it. 

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"When people discover that water and cold are not as cool as in the movies and games, that's when they start to question whether they really want that kind of life."

Hello, before we start the interview, could you give us a summary of your military career?

Well, I joined on September 26, 2004, when I was 18 years and a few days old. I completed my training in February 2005 and was assigned to the TEAR, specifically to a rifle company of the BDE-I. There I spent the best years of my military life, specifically 10, until I had to move to Cartagena due to a promotion. There in Cartagena, I went through the EOS, the Naval Police, and the canine unit. I have had the honor of participating in several international missions, such as Haiti, Bosnia, Somalia, Lebanon, Active Endeavour, Sea Guardian, FOCUS... etc.

Why did you want to join the marine infantry?

Since I was very young, I liked the army, the police, and the Civil Guard. And by very young, I mean around 5 years old; from that age, I have always been interested in searching for, seeing, and reading military magazines, since at that time the internet was the town library, and access to military information was the magazine published by MINISDEF called “DEFENSA” that was brought to the library every month. And since then, I became very interested in the Marine Infantry Corps, which was further fueled by the fact that as I got older, I started reading about Spanish military history, in which the IM has been present since the 16th century, writing that history in letters of blood. And anyone who likes the army and history must, at the very least, like and respect the IM. Adding to that, several of my relatives served in the corps, and they always told me that the toughest units in Spain were the IM and the Legion.

What is the process of adapting to this new lifestyle and companions when you enter the EIMGAF both mentally and physically?

I can talk to you about mine, times change, and methods and ways do too, as a result of the professionalization of the armed forces (FAS), pedagogical and instructional methods have evolved and adapted to the new reality of a professional army. When I joined, there was still somewhat of a mindset of mandatory military service, and I don't remember there being a specific adaptation period to military life as there is today. The adaptation was given to you by the time and determination you had. I'm not saying it's better or worse than now, just that it was different.

What would you say is essential to be a good marine?

The same as for any Spanish soldier: first, be an exemplary citizen, and add to that a clear willingness to sacrifice your rights as a civilian and shoulder military duties.

What values has the Marine Infantry provided you?

The same that can be provided by any ELITE unit of our FAS, such as Sacrifice, humility, work, austerity, and for me the most important, turning material deficiencies into personal virtues, because technology reaches a point, the rest is provided by the minds that are responsible for making that technology work and having the determination to use it in critical moments when the mission requires it.

Many people ask us if it is a good place to study, what would you respond?

First, I would say that you come here to SERVE. To answer your question, as with everything in military life, the more operational a unit is, the more sacrifice studying requires, but it is not impossible. Furthermore, if you want to focus your studies on promotion, the experience both doctrinal and personal, as well as the military background that a frontline unit provides, you won't get that in the rest of the units or in two lifetimes. That said, each person must be honest with themselves and consider whether this mentality of looking for a loophole to study aligns with what is required in the military. I have achieved everything I set out to do without giving up having an "operational life," but at the cost of sacrifice and stealing time from leisure.

When you enter, you are assigned to a rifle battalion, if you want to change to another, what would you have to do?

Before, everyone or 95% went through the TEAR, no matter what, now there are direct positions available for the Tercios and Groups, which does not change the fact that the training is exactly the same, both for those going to the TEAR and for those going to a Tercio. Changing assignments is like in all units, first exhausting the minimum time of service, second that there are vacancies, and third having the necessary seniority or course for that position.

What is day to day like?

In the TEAR, day to day, it is basically AFM (Military Physical Training) and pure rifleman training. By rifleman training, I mean everything from “quiet” theory sessions and CQB exercises to days of rappelling, Fast rope and IMOC. To this, we should add the numerous field outings (Retín, Almería, Toledo, Chinchilla...), and the no less numerous international maneuvers.

In the EOS, there are basically two situations to distinguish: when we are embarked, 98% of the work consists of real Maritime Security Operations (MSO) or overseas missions; when we are at the barracks, we use the time for the training needed to be ready for the missions command may assign us. This includes CQB on both civilian and our own ships, many exercises from helicopters and boats, and security arrangements for important visits, etc.

In the Naval Police company, training is greatly reduced due to the number of services and shifts they are subjected to, but day to day, apart from their shifts, it is basically AFM in the morning, followed by theoretical and practical police training. They usually have about two maneuvers a year related to their specific duties as Military Police.

Do you think that someone who has been clear about this path since they were little, or knows that they will suffer and that it is part of the journey, has a psychological advantage compared to someone who enters just to try?

Napoleon said that the mind is to the body as 3 is to 4; evidently, bringing that awareness and predisposition from home helps to overcome adversities, but in the end, what will make you continue is your determination, your tolerance for physical pain, and above all, being willing to push those limits to achieve your goal. When people discover that water and cold are not as cool as in the movies and games, that is when they start to question whether they really want that kind of life.

We know that there are two types of assignments, the TEAR and the FUPRO (Terlev, Tersur, Agrumad, etc...) for example the difference between the Tercio Sur and the Tercio de Armada, both in Cádiz, what is the difference between them?

Within the IM, there are three pillars that support this sacred institution, one is FGNE, another is the TEAR, and the last and not least is the FUPRO.

The essence and reason for the IM is the projection of naval power onto a hostile or potentially hostile coast. And that is precisely the mission of the TEAR, which is the offensive fist of the Navy in a wide spectrum of possibilities. The TEAR and its battalions are the best example of a unit ready and prepared to carry out this type of operation in the shortest possible time, as was seen in Lebanon, where it was able to deploy a reinforced Battalion force in just a week and a half from the time the order and initial directive were received.

And the other main pillar of this Corps is the FUPRO, whose main mission is to provide security to facilities and personnel of the Navy in the performance of their duties, apart from training and preparing the EOS teams, which increase the level of operability and response of the Navy ships in their deployments and assigned missions.

When going out for maneuvers, what do you do during the maneuvers?

In the TEAR, maneuvers are something everyday as I mentioned before, the norm is to take part in one or two maneuvers a month, if it's to Retin they usually last 5 days, (although I've experienced everything), if it's to other maneuver fields (Chincilla, San Gregorio, Alijares...), they can last between 8 and 15 days, and the international ones embarked on FD ships usually last between one month and a month and a half.

Due to the high number of deployments and periods embarked on MSO, the EOS do not usually conduct maneuvers as such. We do go out to train with various weapons that cannot be used on ships, including throwing hand grenades and firing the AG36. Those "maneuvers" usually last no more than three days on average, or five days at most.

And as I said before, the PN usually has about two maneuvers a year, and they usually last between 15 and 18 days.

What is the feeling of boarding a frigate?

Well, the feeling of being packed in a can of preserves, little space and very little privacy, to which must be added that the weather conditions affect much more than when we embark on the large Amphibious Assault ships. Even so, it is a platform where we integrate perfectly as one more of the crew, it provides us and we provide it with unique capabilities, both for training and for the execution of real maritime intervention operations.

What would you highlight the most about the Marine Corps?

Once you are in, the fact that it is a single specialty does not prevent you from taking the path you want. As a Marine, you can be a tank driver, gunner or sapper. In other branches of the armed forces, however, once you choose a particular arm of service, your opportunities to switch to another type of role are limited. Here in the IM, your seniority and suitability for that assignment or specialty set the limit.

Another point I particularly highlight compared with the other branches of the armed forces is the promotion system for enlisted personnel. To be promoted, as well as passing a competitive examination and a merit-based selection process, you have to pass a qualification course, both for the rank of Cabo and for Cabo 1.

Since the role of these intermediate-level leaders in the execution of amphibious tactics is fundamental for the IM, their technical and physical preparation is essential, as the temporary loss of control during the initial moments of the landing requires the "amphibious soldier" to have a great capacity for aggressiveness and initiative.

Is there any way to mentally prepare for the arduous path of the Marine Infantry?

Cultivate self-discipline and a capacity for sacrifice, and arrive with prior physical preparation. Remember that you will be joining an elite unit within the Navy.

For those of us who want to join the glorious Marine Corps, what advice/words would you dedicate to us?

I would offer plenty of encouragement and advise them to be clear, absolutely clear, about what they are getting into. During training, say little about your objectives and show plenty of willingness. Take great care of your feet: they are fundamental to every Marine. You also need to know how to protect yourself from cold and water. Enduring the most cold does not make you a better Marine; knowing how to protect and look after yourself does, so that you can complete the mission as effectively and efficiently as possible. I did not understand this clearly when I joined, and I developed pneumonia that nearly ruined both my health and my soldier training course.

If you had to define the Marine Corps in terms of the "intangible" aspects of this branch, how would you define it?

For me, the IM is like a virus, a virus that infected me and still has me infected, it is a delicious virus that runs through my body, that expands and dilates my heart every morning when I put on my uniform, and I believe it will accompany me until the end of my days. The IM is a unique unit, with a unique mission within the armed forces (FAS), and we carry on our shoulders the work and sacrifice of all those who preceded us during our nearly 500 years of history, the IM is as closely tied to the history of Spain as flesh is to bone. And in these uncertain times of multiple threats, it is a top-level instrument for the state's foreign policy, having a Corps like the Marine Infantry, with Spain being one of the few nations in the world capable of projecting such power in its area of influence.

If you have more questions, watch this video: Charlando con empecinados.

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