Marine Corps showcasing training simulation around Alabama

By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter Nick Balenger

Marines are the few and the proud, but they can be fairly intimidating. That’s why they’ve implemented a new marketing tactic: virtual reality.

A training simulation requires participants to complete as many pull-ups and over head presses as possible before getting into a VR headset to experience a pugil stick fight.

Staff Sgt. Justin Lundy said it’s really helping make the corps seem more personable.

“Give a little bit of more of an interactive experience, with anyone that comes to see us, ask any questions, and has any inquiries about the Marine Corps,” Lundy said. “It gives us a little bit more of a low pressure environment to allow us to communicate more with those individuals.”

The simulation puts you through three rounds of progressively more difficult challenges. The hardest part is that you’re already tired from the previous exercises, but that helps to simulate real combat.