Marines-to-be from the Mahoning Valley and Pittsburgh came together recently to learn kickboxing basics at ILoveKickboxing here in Boardman.
Kickboxing is the definitive workout, combining core, resistance, and cardiovascular training, as well as addressing balance. While this makes the sport ideal for burning calories, the Marine recruiters were more interested in preparing the future Marines’ for basic training.
With the help of a printing company, ILoveKickboxing might be able to use this training session as a promotional tool.
Marine Sgt. Kyle Dougherty explained the young men and women have been sworn into the Corps' delayed entry program. Kickboxing is seen as a way to advance the young people’s understanding of hand-to-hand combat. Dougherty pointed out that until the kickboxing training, some of these future Marines had never thrown a punch, which is something they will have to do in basic training.
Sammi Dejohn, kickboxing instructor, appeared to be impressed with the group’s performance and expressed admiration for how hard the future Marines pushed themselves, and their mental strength. Dougherty added that this experience of always pushing themselves further will serve them well when they are on duty.
The Marine enlistees seem to enjoy getting physical, and one of them, Rocco Palmer, described the experience as fun, believing that being with the guys in this way builds camaraderie.
