Marine Recruit Training

Marines fight and win our nation's battles with honor, courage and commitment. Recruits learn through physical training and classroom instruction, that to be a Marine is to become both an elite warrior and an honorable one. Earning the title "Marine" requires a commitment to live by the values of the Marine Corps. Honor, Courage and Commitment form the bedrock of every Marine's character, and guide every decision they will make all around the world. Under demanding conditions, these are the values Marines count on, so that their nation can count on them. 

There is not room in our ranks for those who fall behind. Because of this, we repeatedly take recruits to the brink of exhaustion, where commitment is truly tested. These moments of truth not only separate the capable from the unable, they build exceptional strength, stamina and confidence in those who find a way within themselves to continue.

This is the physical fitness training that prepares recruits, physically and mentally, to meet the uncompromising fitness standards for which the United States Marine Corps is known. Marine fitness isn't achieved in a gym. Obstacle courses develop upper body strength and give recruits the ability to quickly maneuver over barriers. Martial Arts training builds core strength, providing the technique Marines rely on in close combat. Three- to nine-mile conditioning marches with fully loaded packs develop endurance to lead from the front. After 12 weeks of intense training, every recruit will develop the physical strength and mental endurance required to win our nation's battles.

Leadership is a hallmark of the Marine Corps. During their 12 weeks of training, recruits learn leadership skills and receive opportunities to practice them in simulated combat scenarios. By the time they become Marines, every recruit is prepared to lead with confidence.

Recruits must learn the 11 Leadership Principles and 14 Leadership Traits. As they develop their leadership skills, they are constantly applying the principles in recruit training by:

• Leading their teammates through challenges on the obstacle and confidence courses
• Accomplishing tasks with minimal direction as they progress in training
• Taking on leadership roles within the platoon

Driven by the philosophy of "One mind. Any weapon." the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) teaches Marines to act decisively in hand-to-hand combat situations with or without weapons.

More than just self-defense training, MCMAP fuses together mental toughness and character building with combat disciplines. To train the mind, recruits study martial arts culture and history. To build character, recruits are grounded in the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. To master physical discipline, recruits study hand-to-hand combat training and fighting techniques.

There are five colored belt levels in the Marine Corps. In order, they are: tan, grey, green, brown and black. To earn the title United States Marine, every recruit is required to qualify for his or her tan belt by demonstrating proficiency in the following fighting techniques:

• Bayonet techniques
• Upper and lower body strikes
• Basic chokes and throws
• Defensive counters
• Responsible use of force

Moving as a unit is essential in combat. To learn how to move as a platoon, recruits practice Close Order Drill, marching in formation, from the day they arrive through the day they graduate.

Platoons must execute the Drill Instructor's exact commands focusing on precision as they move throughout the base. They will be tested on this skill in weeks 5 and 11.

In battle, the discipline they learned through drill and ceremonies will keep their platoon working together as one team and focused on the mission.

A bayonet is a removable fighting knife that attaches to the muzzle of a rifle barrel. In close combat situations where a rifle cannot be fired, the bayonet is an indispensible, lethal weapon. Learning how to effectively use a bayonet is an important part of Marine Corps training.

On the bayonet assault course, recruits learn to attach and detach the bayonet from the rifle quickly and to engage targets aggressively.  They become masters of offensive and defensive fighting techniques.

Pugil stick training is the first time recruits face an opponent in close combat during recruit training. They learn to act despite fear. It is a crucial step in their transformation from civilian to warrior.

Pugil sticks are heavily padded poles used to simulate melee combat. These weapons are an effective and safe way for recruits to develop the intensity, confidence and combat techniques of a Marine. They will learn how to decisively engage and defeat their opponent.

There are three levels of pugil stick training:

• Level I: recruits learn the safety precautions and rules of fighting
• Level II: recruits fight on wooden bridges 2.5 feet above the ground
• Level III: bouts are conducted in simulated trenches and confined spaces

Recruit training is more than just a physical challenge. Recruits must learn to make the right decisions, quickly and confidently, in any situation. In combat, the lives of Marines and civilians depend on it. They will be tested on everything they learn, both on paper and in practical application.

Personal conduct:

• Standards of professionalism and personal conduct
• Traits and principals of good leadership
• Proper occasions to wear each Marine Corps uniform
• Upholding the values and ethics of the Marine Corps

Academic studies:

• Military history, innovations and terms
• Marine Corps culture and traditions

First Aid training:

• Basic skills to respond in any emergency
• Preventing and treating environment-related conditions like heat stroke

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, Marines gain the advantage through their superb training and discipline. They must keep their composure in order to solve complex problems and take ethical and decisive action on the battlefield. The element of chaos in recruit training is never more present than during Gas Mask Training. After learning how to protect themselves and breathe calmly wearing the M40 Field Protective Mask, recruits are exposed to a non-lethal CS gas (a standard riot control agent). This training teaches recruits how to protect themselves during a chemical or biological attack and prepares them to react calmly under pressure. 

Recruits learn rappelling, a controlled slide down a rope, to prepare them for deployment from helicopters, navigating difficult terrain and gaining access to buildings during raids. Recruits rappel from the top of the tower, focusing on the proper way to brake, regulate their speed and land safely. During rappelling training, recruits learn several, different techniques from fast roping to wall rappelling. 

The Confidence Course not only builds self-confidence, it builds physical strength. During the two rounds of the Confidence Course, recruits will face 11 unique challenges, each one more demanding than the last. Recruits first complete the obstacle course individually and then in 4-man fireteams, using teamwork to conquer more difficult obstacles.

Confidence Course I
A test of strength and balance, including low obstacles like:

• Arm Stretcher
• Parallel Bars
• Over and Under

Confidence Course II
A greater test of determination, including high obstacles like:

• Skyscraper
• A-frame
• Slide for Life

There are few reputations more deserved than that of Marine Corps Recruit Training. This reputation is earned through 12 weeks of intense training and culminates at the Crucible: the final phase of training that tests every skill learned and every value instilled. To complete this final test, recruits must have the heart—and the intestinal fortitude, the body—and the mind, the desire—and the ability. The recruits must pull together or fall apart. Win as one or all will fail. Succeed, and you will carry a sense of accomplishment that will last forever.

These are just some of the training elements recruits will face during The Marine Corps Crucible:

• Obstacles that must be negotiated with teamwork
• Day and nighttime marches
• Night infiltration movement
• Combat resupply and casualty evacuation scenarios
• Combat field firing as a team
• A few MREs and minimal sleep, simulating combat
• Leadership tests
• Core values training

Whether they arrive knowing how to swim or not, combat water survival training will help recruits develop confidence in the water. Combat Water Survival Instructors teach recruits how to swim with gear and supplies, rescue and aid a casualty and personal survival techniques.

There are three levels of water survival qualification: basic, intermediate and advanced. At the basic level, recruits train wearing a utility suit and combat boots. They must also complete a full gear shed, entering the shallow end of the pool wearing their rifle, helmet and flak vest with heavy ballistic inserts and removing the gear in 10 seconds. At the intermediate level, recruits must shed their gear while treading in deep water. At the advanced level, recruits train in full combat gear and must assist a casualty who is also wearing a full combat load.

No matter what their Military Occupational Specialty is, every recruit must qualify with an M16 rifle after two weeks of dedicated marksmanship training.

Week 1: Grass Week:
During Grass Week, recruits learn the basics of safety and Marine Corps marksmanship. They practice marksmanship principles without firing ammunition while sitting, kneeling, standing and lying down. Marksmanship instructors teach recruits that the principle difference between pulling a trigger and being a rifleman is having complete control over their rifle and their body.

Week 2: Firing Week:
During Firing Week, recruits conduct live fire exercises, learning to fire from any position and at ranges of 200, 300 and 500 yards. Recruits build accuracy by beginning with 50 rounds of slow fire, one shot at a time, and progressing to rapid fire with 10 shots in a row. Instructors make sure that recruits are concentrating on every shot.

On qualification day, recruits strive for their highest score out of 250 points on the Field Fire portion and the Known Distance course. They will earn the Rifle Marksman badge, the Rifle Sharpshooter badge or the coveted "Crossed Rifles" badge of an Expert Rifleman. Marines requalify with their rifles each year.

Basic Warrior Training (BWT) teaches recruits how to operate in a combat environment. They will demonstrate these skills in Day and Night Movement exercises during The Crucible.

Field and infiltration skills

• Preparing equipment for battle
• Negotiating obstacles such as barbed wire
• Camouflage, cover and concealment
• Hand and arm signals
• Mine and Improvised Explosive Device identification

Land Navigation training

• Determining one's position on a map using landmarks
• Using a compass and military topographic map

At the end of The Crucible, recruits march to the Emblem Ceremony where Drill Instructors present their platoons with the Marine Corps Emblem—the Eagle, Globe and Anchor—and address recruits as "Marine" for the first time.

Receiving the emblem signifies that the recruits have earned a place in the Marine Corps, and what's earned is theirs forever. They will now stand side by side with their instructors at graduation as part of the Few.