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Physical Strength and Fitness

The United States Marine Corps requires each recruit to pass the Initial Strength Test (IST) upon arriving to the Marine Corps Recruiting Depots. The three tests consist of pull-ups/push-ups, crunches, and 1.5 mile run. The minimum requirements are as followed:

Initial Strength Test (IST) Minimum Requirements
Tests	Male	Female
Pull-ups/Push-ups	3 Pull-ups or 34 Push-ups	1 Pull-up or 15 Push-ups
Crunches	44 Crunches	44 Crunches
1.5 Miles	13 Minutes 30 Seconds	15 Minutes

Throughout recruit training, recruits will run the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) 2-3 times. The PFT requires higher standards on each of the three tests. Pull-ups/push-ups and crunches are the same as the IST, but there is now a 3 mile run. The requirements for each test varies depending on which group an individual fall under depending on age. Prior to 2017, women did flexed arm hangs instead of pull-ups. As a result of this changed the option of push-ups instead of pull-ups was included in the fitness tests. Any individual that chooses to do push-ups will only be able to score a maximum score of 70, compared to a maximum of 100 on all others tests. Another change to the PFT in 2020, is that Marines will be give the option of planks instead of crunches.

Training Schedule

Recruit Training is 13-weeks, this includes a week of receiving, followed by a 12 rigorous weeks of training. In February of 2018 the Marine Corps made added a 4th phase to the matrix that previously only have 3 phases. This 4th stage allowed for an additional week after the Crucible. This week allows new Marines to adjusts from being a recruit to actually being a Marine. Both MCRD Parris Island and San Diego follow the outline of a 4 phase matrix, however, individual weeks and days vary. The following schedule breakdown is of recruit training at MCRD San Diego

Phase 1

Receiving Week

The initial period of Marine Corps Boot Camp is called the Receiving Phase, which begins as the new recruits are on the bus en route to their recruit Depot. Recruits will always arrive to the Depot when it is dark out and they are "greeted" by a drill instructor, who acquaints them with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to which they are now subject. Disembarking from the bus, they line up on rows of yellow footprints painted on the concrete which is their first formation and learn how to stand at attention.

The recruits are given the opportunity to phone their next of kin and inform them of the recruit's safe arrival, then are searched for contraband. They are issued utility and physical training uniforms and toiletries. From here, the males receive their first military haircut, where they are left essentially bald. Females are instructed in the authorized hairstyling, which allows hair to be short enough to not touch the collar or in a bun (MCRD Parris Island).

The remainder of receiving involves completing paperwork, issuing an M16A4 service rifle,^[19] receiving vaccines and medical tests and storing civilian belongings under the eye of drill instructors set aside specifically for receiving. This takes approximately three days, usually without the opportunity to sleep, and ends with the Initial Strength Test (IST). ^[20]

From this point, recruits experience "Black Friday", where they meet their permanent Drill Instructors. They also meet their Company Commander, usually a captain, who orders their Drill Instructors to train them to become Marines and has them recite the Drill Instructor's Creed. At this point, recruit training truly begins. Recruits are familiarized with incentive training as one of the consequences of disobedience or failure to perform to a Drill Instructor's expectations. The Drill Instructors physically, psychologically and mentally harass the recruits, including yelling at maximum volume and intimidation, to simulate stress of the battlefield and elicit immediate compliance to instructions. The remainder of receiving is made as confusing and disorienting for the recruits as possible to help distance the recruits from civilian habits and to prepare them for Marine Corps discipline.

It is at this point that a recruit must come to terms with the decision he or she has made and develop the true determination needed to make it through the process of becoming a United States Marine. The final "moment of truth" is offered to those who have been dishonest about their eligibility, such as drug use, judicial convictions or other disqualifying conditions.

Week 1-3

Phase One lasts approximately four weeks. Discipline here will begin to be instilled in recruits by disorienting them and effectively cutting them off from civilian habits and mindsets, as well as reinforcing the mental and physical standards needed to perform under stressful situations that will be simulated in subsequent phases and experienced in combat situations. Recruits are required to learn and strictly use language and terminology typical to the Marine Corps, often derived from naval terminology.

The purpose of the first phase is to psychologically break down the recruit. At this point, civilian thoughts and habits are considered detrimental to training, so they are squashed during this period by intense physical training, unchanging routines, strict discipline and heavy instruction. The process is designed to enable recruits to learn to survive in combat situations and generally to adapt and overcome any unexpected situation. One of the principal ideals learned during this period is that recruits are not to think of themselves as individuals—they are not permitted to use first person or second person pronouns. Instead, recruits are required to use third-person referrals, such as referring to themselves as "This recruit" and accomplish all tasks with teamwork. Any actions that put the benefit of an individual over the benefit of the other recruits are not permitted and recruits are expected to conform to a standard that does not tolerate personal deviance or eccentricities. Speed, intensity and volume when speaking are valued as well.

The bulk of first-phase education consists of classes about the Marine Corps and its history and culture, first aid, rank structure and insignia,^[21] protocol, customs and courtesies, the 11 General Orders,^[22] aspects of the five paragraph order, prepare equipment for use (such as how to properly make a rack), regulations regarding uniforms and other topics. Recruits learn through the use of rote memorization and mnemonics—recruits are expected to be able to recite a passage or quote in unison, without error and on demand.

Close order drill is an important factor in recruit training, and begins from their first formation on the yellow footprints. In the first phase, they learn all of the basic commands and movements, memorizing the timing through the use of "ditties", or mnemonics, that help synchronize a recruit's movements with the rest of his or her platoon. Constant repetition and practice are used to facilitate muscle memory, so that any given movement can be rendered immediately and accurately upon order without hesitation. To aid in this development, drill movements are worked into other parts of daily life to help increase the platoon's synchronization and muscle memory—this same technique is used with other non-drill activities as well. For example, a recruit is instructed to hold his/her food tray in a similar fashion to holding the butt of a rifle during "shoulder arms".

During this phase, recruits are familiarized with their rifle. This weapon, never referred to as a "gun", stays with the recruit through the entirety of recruit training, being locked in an armory in the recruit's squadbay at night or when not in use. Platoons will stack their rifles and post a guard on them during situations where retaining them is impractical, such as during indoor classes or chow. Recruits must memorize the rifle's serial number, the four weapons safety rules, the four weapons conditions and go through preparatory lessons in marksmanship. In addition, recruits use the rifles in close order drill and will spend considerable time cleaning their weapons.

Recruits begin work toward earning their tan belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). Physical training gradually becomes more and more intense as recruits begin to get stronger and their bodies accustomed to the strain. Recruits undergo the first of their conditioning marches, which will grow in length (from 1.5 miles with a light pack to a 10-mile hike with full loadout at the end of the Crucible). Periodic fitness tests assess which recruits need more attention, and those who consistently fail to meet the minimum are in danger of being sent to the PCP. Recruits will conduct two pugil stick bouts and are introduced to the obstacle course various courses, including, obstacle, combat and circuit. There also will be training on combat care, to address how to care for individuals who become injured.

In the third week of the first phase, recruits are taught swimming and water survival. This is the first event where failure to pass will result in a recruit being dropped to a different company to restart training and attempt to qualify again. If a recruit fails twice, he or she will be evaluated to see if a third chance is warranted, or if the recruit will be deemed unable to qualify and administratively separated from service. Certain MOS's require a more advanced swim qualification in bootcamp. Recruits who fail to achieve this qualification may be reclassified into a different MOS.

The final week of first phase includes rappelling, the final MCMAP test and the gas chamber, where recruits must enter an enclosed building filled with CS gas and perform various movements with their gas mask, including calisthenics and removing the gas mask. Recruits who attempt to flee the gas chamber are ordered back in—a failure to comply results in the recruit being dropped. an inspection from the Senior Drill Instructor and the initial drill competition against other platoons.

By the end of the first phase, recruits can march, respond to orders, pass the first written test and keep up in physical fitness.

Phase 2

Week 4 -Swim Week

Swim week consists of about 4 days of water survival qualification exercises followed MCMAP and Pugil Sticks, the first Physical Fitness Test and an additional obstacle course. In the third week of the first phase, recruits are taught swimming and water survival. This is the first event where failure to pass will result in a recruit being dropped to a different company to restart training and attempt to qualify again. If a recruit fails twice, he or she will be evaluated to see if a third chance is warranted, or if the recruit will be deemed unable to qualify and administratively separated from service. Certain MOS's require a more advanced swim qualification in boot camp. Recruits who fail to achieve this qualification may be reclassified into a different MOS. Completion of Combat Water Survival training is necessary for each recruit to graduation from recruit training in the later weeks. The following excercises are completed in order to meet the Combat Water Survival qualifications:

• 25-metter swim
• 10-foot jump followed by 25 meter swim
  • Recruits must follow proper technique while jumping in order to perform the skill safely
• Tread water
  • Time Requirement: 4 Minutes
• Shed gear
  • Recruits must take off their rifle, helmet, and vest
  • Time Requirement: less than 10 seconds
• Swim with pack 25-meters
  

Week 5-Team Week/Interior Guard

Recruits will continue building physically throughout this week, by performing log drills and strength and endurance courses. This week they will be given the opportunity to have there first uniform fittings and receive haircuts. The week will end with their first Combat Fitness Test and a 5K hike. Team week give recruits the opportunity to complete other jobs unsupervised by drill instructor and instead with other Marines. These tasks help to build a team atmosphere that not only will benefit later in recruit training, but also late in each recruits career. Team week is accompanied by lessons in interior guard. These classes teach recruits the importance of guard duties. An example of this would be firewatch. These lessons include fundamentals and tasks to be accomplished while on guard, along with consequences that can occur if duties are not completed accordingly.

Week 6

This is the final week of Phase 2, leading to the end of the week when recruits are bused to Camp Pendleton until after completion of the Crucible during the 10th week of training. The week begins with the second of three Physical Fitness Tests. Recruits will learn to master the use of a bayonet, as well as, complete the final Pugil Stick training. An inspection will be completed by a commander and recruits will be given their first written exam on material they have learn thus far during recruit training. Recruits will learn to master the guide and brake in order to safely lower themselves down the 60 foot Rappel Tower. Finally recruits will be issued uniforms, this is the first time that the uniforms they wear will say U.S Marine Corps. Recruits will then be moved North to Camp Pendleton.

Phase 3

Week 7-Grass Week

Because MCRD San Diego is located in the center of a dense urban area and directly behind San Diego International Airport, it is impractical to conduct rifle qualification and field training there. Instead, recruits are sent to the Edson Range at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.This week is partly spent in a class setting to learn about marksmanship principles of the M16 and how to shoot efficiently. When not in class, recruits are snapping in, or practicing their firing positions. Recruits are taught how to shoot by a Marksmanship Instructor. There are four different positions that recruits will have to learn:

• Sitting
• Prone
• Kneeling
• Standing

Recruits will spend nearly the entire week mastering there positions, learning to use the scope that they had been issued and being able to adjust to additional challenges like the weather. At the end of the week, recruits will complete an 8K hike.

Week 8-Table I

Table I is to teach recruits to shoot from a distance. The distances are from 200, 300, and 500 yards. Half of the platoons will fire the standing, sitting, kneeling and prone positions—the other half will mark targets in the pits. Friday of that week is qualification day, where recruits must qualify with a minimum score in order to earn a marksmanship badge and continue training. Each shot will be given a score of 5, 4, 3, 2, Miss (0). After 50 shots, recruits will have the opportunity to receive a perfect score of 250 for Table I.The week will end with a 13K hike and a review on MCMAP material learned during Phase 1.

Week 9- Field Week/Table II

Week 9 begins with field week, where recruits will have to learn to navigate the land with only a map and compass. Table II is to follow field week, recruits will practice shooting at a much closer range of only 25 yards. They will have 50 rounds and will be scored 2,1, miss (0). They will be able to score a maximum of 100 points.

The recruits qualify for different levels of Rifle qualifications, the score from Table I & Table II qualifications are added to meet the following levels:

Rifle Qualification Levels
Marksman	250-279
Sharpshooter	280-304
Expert	305-350

Phase 4

Drill Instructors prior to handing out the Eagle, Globe, and Anchors after completing the crucible.

Week 10-Crucible

The days leading up to the crucible recruits, will complete their second written exam, make travel arrangements to get home after graduation, and endure the Confidence Chamber. Recruits must enter an enclosed building filled with CS gas and perform various movements with their gas mask, including calisthenics and removing the gas mask. Recruits who attempt to flee the gas chamber are ordered back in—a failure to comply results in the recruit being dropped.

The Crucible is the final test in recruit training, and represents the culmination of all of the skills and knowledge a Marine should possess. Designed in 1996^[23] to emphasize the importance of teamwork in overcoming adversity, the Crucible is a rigorous 54-hour field training^[24] exercise demanding the application of everything a recruit has learned until that point in recruit training and includes a total of 48 miles of marching.^[25] It simulates typical combat situations with strenuous testing, hardship and the deprivation of food and sleep. Recruits Two recruits are given three MREs (a self-contained, individual field ration) as a meals. each usually taking one, then splitting the third up how ever is agreeable between the two. The recruits are only allowed six hours of sleep through the entire 54-hour event.^[25] Recruits are broken into squad-sized teams (possibly smaller) and placed under the charge of one drill instructor. West Coast recruits are returned to Edson Range for the Crucible. Parris Island recruits will conduct the Crucible in the derelict Page Airfield on the south end of the depot.

Throughout the Crucible, recruits are faced with physical and mental challenges that must be accomplished before advancing further.^[26][27] Teamwork is stressed, as the majority of tasks are impossible without it—each group must succeed or fail as a whole. The others will fail unless every recruit passes through together, requiring the team to aid their fellow recruit(s) who struggle in the accomplishment of the given mission. Also stressed are the Corps' core values of "Honor, Courage, and Commitment"—events sometimes present a moral challenge.^[23] Many challenge events are named after Marine Medal of Honor recipients or otherwise notable Marines and drill instructors will often take the time to read the citation of the award and hold a guided discussion with the recruits to evaluate their moral development. Drill instructors are also vigilant for those recruits who succeed and fail in leadership positions.

Some of the challenges encountered during the Crucible are team and individual obstacle courses, day and night assault courses, land navigation courses, individual rushes up steep hills, large-scale martial arts challenges and countless patrols to and from each of these. These challenges are often made even more difficult by the additions of limitations or handicaps, such as the requirement to carry several ammunition drums, not touching portions of an obstacle painted red to indicate simulated booby traps and evacuating team members with simulated wounds.

On the final day of the Crucible, recruits are awoken and begin their final march (including "The Reaper" a forced march up a steeply inclined hill to the top of Edson's Ridge on the west coast) when they arrive the drill instructors will offer the recruits the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) emblem which give them the title Marine. Immediately after this, Marines hike back down The Reaper and are then offered the "Warrior's Breakfast", where they are permitted to eat as much as they like, even of previously forbidden foods, such as ice cream. During this meal, the new Marines have the opportunity to eat and talk with their Drill Instructors informally for the first time.

The following days Marines, hand back in their gear and return back to MCRD San Diego.

Week 11

Also known as Marine Week, the new Marines will be given addition time with the drill instructor, but are provided with the opportunity to now ask the questions they could not before. These new Marines will be responsible for themselves and be able to use what they have learned the over the past 10 weeks. During this week, Marines are instructed in some of the recruit behaviors that are no longer appropriate as Marines, such as referring to self in the third person. They will have their final uniform fitting, along with a blood drive, and a visit to the Marine Corps Museum on base at MCRD San Diego. Marines will have their final Physical Fitness Test and have a review on MCMAP before being tested for their tan belt. Lastly they will have an inspection by the Company Commander.

Week 12-Family Day/Graduation

Marines marching during MCRD San Diego graduation ceremony.

Week 12 begins with graduation practice, liberty, and a final commander inspection. The last full day before graduation is called Family Day. The public day begins early with a "Motivational Run", when the new Marines run (by company, then by platoon) yelling Marine Corps Cadences, past their families; circling the base; and ending at the parade deck. After a brief ceremony explaining to the families what type of training they have gone through, the newest Marines are dismissed to on-base liberty with their families from late morning until early evening. During this time, they are free to roam about the base and show their families around, although they are not permitted in certain areas, nor are they permitted to leave the base. During the last night, some platoons allow the new Marines to host a gong show, where they perform skits regarding humorous moments during training, especially of their drill instructors.

The next morning, the new Marines form for their graduation ceremony, march across the parade deck, have their guidons retired and are dismissed from recruit training by their senior drill instructors.

Additional citations need to be found for information already in article

Drill Instructors

• information about the different instructors
  • seniors
  • juniors/drill hat

Rivalry

• information about humps are Parris Island

External Links

• Parris Island Training Weeks