Marine Corps boot camp begins as soon as recruits off the bus and onto the infamous yellow footprints. This is where the journey begins, where civilians will earn the title of United States Marine. So that you are fully prepared for the battles that lie ahead, this post will go over all you need to know about Marine Corps boot camp.
Marine Corps boot camp is thirteen weeks of training, that consists of four different phases. Each phase will consist of different challenges and obstacles that recruits must pass in order to continue on with training and become a Marine.
There are two different training locations for Marine Corps boot camp. Recruits who are west of the Mississippi will go to the West Coast training location, and recruits east of the Missippi will go to the East Coast training location.
MCRD Parris Island is the Marine Corps east coast training location located just outside of Beaufort, South Carolina.
Any recruits that live east of the Mississippi will go to Parris Island for training. All female recruits, regardless of geographic location, will also go to MCRD Parris Island for Marine Corps boot camp.
MCRD San Diego is the Marine Corps west coast training location located in San Diego, California.
Recruits that live west of the Mississippi River will go to MCRD San Diego for Marine Corps boot camp.
Being physically prepared for Marine Corps boot camp is just as important as mental preparation. Upon arriving at Marine boot camp recruits will be required to take the Initial Strength Test (IST). Before recruits are allowed to continue with training they must pass the IST, otherwise be sent home.
Make sure you’re physically prepared for Marine boot camp with our training workout.
Though day to day schedules will vary slightly at MCRD San Diego and MCRD Parris Island, both follow the same four-phase training schedule. Below is a break down of each Phase of Training.
The first few days are called Receiving week during which recruits will go through in-processing.
In-processing includes receiving the first haircut, going through medical, and filling out a lot of paperwork.
The first Friday at the Recruit Depot, also known as Black Friday, will be the first day recruits meet their Drill Instructors (DI). Here’s a glimpse of what Black Friday is like at Marine Corps boot camp.
Phase one of training will begin the first Monday after receiving week. This is where the battle begins. Recruits will be taken out of their comfort zone’s and into a world of chaos, stress, and intensity.
Marine Corps boot camp is not designed to be comfortable and will break recruits to a point of exhaustion, doubt, and fear.
The first three weeks will be filled with a lot of physical activity, time in the classroom learning the history of the Marine Corps, customs and courtesies, leadership and more. Recruits will learn discipline by spending hours on close-order drill and be trained in Marine Corps Martial Arts.
By phase two recruits will begin to learn the fundamentals of Marine Corps marksmanship. Marines set themselves apart from other branches by training every Marine to be a rifleman.
Recruits will learn the basic of marksmanship so that if called upon, will be combat ready. Most of phase two training is spent in the field. This will allow recruits to become more comfortable with their rifle. They will begin to gain more confidence in themselves.
During phase three recruits will learn survival combat skills through Basic Warrior Training, Learning how to maneuver under fire, navigate through the outdoors, and handle their rifles properly.
Recruits will be tested on everything they have learned during Marine Corps boot camp in order to prepare them for the last few battles they will face before they can claim the title of United States Marine.
Weeks 8-10 will be the hardest part of training as recruits will have to give everything they have and more to keep pushing forward. At the end of phase three recruits will go through The Crucible, the final event of training that will test them on everything.
The crucible is a 54-hour field event where recruits will have to complete a series of mini events. Each event will test their knowledge, perseverance, leadership, honor, courage, and commitment. This is their defining moment.
Upon successfully completing The Crucible, recruits will march their last hike as recruits as they head to the Eagle Globe and Anchor Ceremony where they are given the title of a United States Marine and take their oath.
Recently added to the Marine Corps boot camp training schedule, phase four, was developed to give new Marines mentorship and to help them have a successful career.
Upon successfully completing all thirteen weeks of Marine boot camp Marines will have a graduation ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments with friends and family who attend graduation.
Marine Corps Training Depot San Diego and Marine Corps Training Depot Parris Island each have their own events for Family day and graduation day.
After graduation Marines will be given ten days of leave until they have to report to the School of Infantry (SOI), where they will continue their training before they are sent to the fleet.
