U.S. Marine Corps Bootcamp

"THE BOOTCAMP"

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Making Marines who are committed to Core Values in service to the country. Transforming civilians into basically trained Marines, who are imbued with our core values of honor, courage, and commitment,is the primary focus of recruit training.

MISSION

Marine Corps Recruit Depots (MCRDs) Parris Island and San Diegoconduct Recruit Training in order to transform civilians into basically trainedUnited States Marines who can succeed on the battlefield, in garrison, and insociety

VISION

Committed to upholding the legacy and operational relevance of the Corps by attracting qualified young men and women and transforming them mentally, physically and morally into U.S. Marines.

Parris Island History

Parris Island , South Carolina, consists of 8,095 acres, of which only 3,262 are habitable. The remaining acres are primarily salt marsh. Enlisted male training began here in November 1915. Enlisted female training began here in February 1949.

Concept of Operation

Recruit Training at both Parris Island and San Diego is predicated upon an intensive 12-week entry-level training programthat consists of processing, forming, and training periods.

Training

Recruit Training is comprised of 70 training days.Initial training focuses on building discipline, physical fitness, drill, watersurvival, and mastery of Marine Corps Common Skills. Three of those trainingdays are dedicated to the maintenance of facilities and grounds aboard the MCRDsand focus on the development of small unit leadership skills. Additionaltraining weeks include: Rifle Pre-Qualification Training and Rifle QualificationWeek; Field Firing and Field Training; and the Crucible Event. The Crucible is a54-hour field event that tests the mettle of every recruit, focusing on theimportance of teamwork and adaptive problem solving in overcoming adversity. TheCrucible Event is designed around Core Values Stations, Warrior Stations, theConfidence Course, Reaction Course, and Movement Course, as well as other various

Three Phases

Recruit training is divided into three phases:

Phase 1 is Basic Learning; physical and mental.
Phase 2 is Rifle Training
Phase 3 is Field Training.

The first part of week one is called "forming." The Drill Instructors "form" new recruits by a process known as "total immersion." Recruits arrive at boot camp. Gear is issued, and a battery of physical examinations is conducted to ensure safety. The Initial Strength Test (IST) is then administered. Later they will learn weapons handling from trained experts and complete the 11-obstacle Confidence Course. Without doubt, Marine boot camp is more challenging -- both physically and mentally -- than the basic training programs of any of the other military services. Not only are these requirements much higher, but recruits are required to learn and adhere to the core values ofHonor, Courage, and Commitment. It has been said time and time again by former Marines that Marine Corps recruit training was the most difficult thing they ever had to do in their entire lives. In order to train the world's most elite fighting force... It has to be that way.During this time the recruits can receive letters but nothing else. This is Recruit Training, so don't address letters with "Marine" or a rank, like "Private." This is a title they will earn after they successfully complete training.

Marine Corps Physical Training Preparation

The Marine Corps has very strict guidelines for the conduct of each event in both the Initial Strength Test and Physical Fitness Test. It is impressive to know these guidelines before you begin training so events may be practiced properly. If you begin practicing incorrectly, it will be harder to change habits to the correct procedures. The IST and PFT consist of three sections pull-ups (males) or the flexed arm hang (females), crunches and a 1 1/2 mile (IST) or a 3 mile run (PFT). Here are a few guidelines to begin practicing the correct procedures.

Pull-ups (Males)
Mount the bar with your hands facing toward you or away from you. Alternating grips are not permitted. Legs can be held straight or bent but may not be raised above the waist. A correct pull-up is brining your chin above the bar then fully extending your arms again. You may not kick to generate vertical movement. You must pause in the down position to prevent any whipping, kicking or kipping movement in the upward movement.
Flexed Arm Hang (Females)
You may be assisted by a support or another person to achieve the starting position. Your hands may face toward you or away from you and your chin must be level with or above the bar. You may not rest or touch your chin to the bar.
When the support or assistant is removed time begins and the score is kept by how many seconds and individual maintains some degree of flexion at the elbow.
Crunches
The correct starting position for crunches is to lie flat on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Arms are folded and will remain across the chest with no gap between the forearms and the chest when raising the upper body. An assistant my hold the feet or legs below the knees in whatever manner is most comfortable. Kneeling or sitting on the feet is permitted.
To perform a correct crunch raise the upper body so the forearms touch your thighs. Return to the starting position touching at least the shoulder blades before raising the upper body again. Your butt must remain on the ground at all times and bouncing or arching of the lower back is not permitted.
Crunches are scored by the number done in two minutes.
The Run
Run the prescribed course in as fast a time as possible.
Your recruiters will be able to help you improve your run time while you are in the Delayed Entry Program.
Along with preparing physically for recruit training you should prepare mentally.
Begin learning the Marine Corps General Orders and rank structure.
Recruit training is nothing more than mind over matter. If you really want to be a Marine, you are going to have to push yourself farther than you ever thought possible. In the end when your drill instructor places the Eagle, Globe and Anchor in your hand, it will all be worth it.

Drill Instructor's Creed

"These recruits are entrusted to my care. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of Corps and country. I will demand of them, and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and professional skill."
Drill instructors epitomize the word "Marine." It is their sole responsibility to take Americans who want to claim the title and transform them into basically trained Marines. Drill instructors are an example and a mentor to the recruits while they are in training.
In order to become a drill instructor, an enlisted Marine must go through Drill Instructor School, an intense 12-week course taught to prospective Marines aboard MCRD.
When a drill instructor begins to train recruits, he is usually accompanied by two to three other drill instructors all assigned to one platoon. A platoon will generally have approximately 60 to 80 recruits. These drill instructors wear green duty belts combined with a hat called a campaign cover, i.e. smokey bear cover.
Leading the platoon's drill instructors is the senior drill instructor. The senior drill instructor has already served several cycles, or 12-week periods it takes to train one platoon of recruits. He wears a black duty belt and the campaign cover. On pick-up day, the recruits are introduced to their drill instructors.
Drill instructors are the first Marines recruits see when they arrive at MCRD and are the Marines that take them the entire way through recruit training up until graduation day. Drill instructors are literally with recruits 24 hours a day.