New Marine shatters Depot pull-up record

22 Nov 2002 | Cpl. Ethan E. Rocke Marine Corps Recruiting Command

A Marine who graduates from recruit training today did 76 pull-ups Nov. 15 during his final physical fitness test, shattering the Depot's old record of 65, set in 1999.

Lance Cpl. Seth F. Redford, platoon guide, Platoon 2117, and company honorman, Company E, is 30 years old and holds two bachelor's degrees from Brigham Young University in Utah, one in political science and one in law.

Redford, who said he has always enjoyed keeping himself physically fit, did 60 pull-ups during his initial strength test. He said he was able to break the record with his will power and a lot of motivation from his drill instructors.

"I could not have done this without my drill instructors, especially my senior drill instructor," Redford said. "It was theirs' and God's help that enabled me to do this."

Redford's drill instructors were very persistent about improving their recruits' physical fitness.

"Every time a recruit went to the head he was encouraged (by the drill instructors) to do a maximum set of pull-ups going in and a maximum set coming out," said Redford.  Becauses of this training  Platoon 2117 claimed the record for average Physical Fitness Test Score.

While Redford spoke highly of his drill instructors, they had some good things to say about him as well.

"When I first saw him during the IST, I said to myself 'he's going to be the company honorman,'" said Staff Sgt. James R. Smith, series gunnery sergeant, Series 2117, Co. E. 

Redford said he aspires to one day become an officer in the force reconnaissance job field, but he enlisted in the Marines to learn leadership from the bottom up.

Redford said. "I would never order someone to do something I wouldn't do myself, and I think my enlisted experience will help prepare me for that kind of leadership responsibility."

Redford's outstanding accomplishments and experiences in recruit training have set him up for success in the future.

"It is hard to put into words what the boot camp experience is truly like," he said. "Only through experience is one able to comprehend the incredible transformation a young motivated civilian goes through to earn the title U.S. Marine."
Marine Corps Recruiting Command