When a civilian decides that they want to join the Marine Corp, the first thing that they have to do after acceptance is going through boot camp. Without successfully accomplishing boot camp, a recruit can never be called a marine. The Marines Boot Camp consists of thirteen total weeks of grueling exercise and considerable discipline and training in the arts of combat and warfare. These thirteen weeks are further broken up into different phases.

Receiving Phase

The receiving phase of the Marine Corp training is where the recruits arrive at their training ground. If you’re from any place east of the Mississippi, you will be sent to Paris Island. Anywhere west of Mississippi is sent to San Diego. During this initial phase, the recruit lines up on the yellow feet, get their hair cut, get any necessary vaccines, receive their weapon and make their final phone call to the next of kin.

During these few days it takes to get acclimated, the drill instructor yells profusely at the recruits, consistently keeping them on edge. More importantly, they are allowed no sleep to further confuse the recruits and make it so that they are ready to be broken down in the next phase of training.

Phase One of Marine Boot Camp

Phase one of marine boot camp consists of four weeks of discipline training and muscle memory. The recruits march everywhere, going on marches that increase in length each week. The person loses their self identity and in return, they become part of the unit. Here, they no longer refer to themselves as I, but instead, they are referred to as “this recruit.” It is meant to show the recruit the importance of being a part of the unit. They are taught about how their weapon works, how to build a rack and other important aspects of military training. Finally, they undergo martial arts so they can attain a tan belt.

Phase Two of Marine Boot Camp

During this phase of training, the recruits undergo extensive marksmanship training. Here, they have to successfully hit targets at 200, 300 and 500 yard lines. Without being able to hit the 500 yard line, a recruit cannot go on into the next stage of training. During this stage, the recruits undergo swimming and water survival. The inability to successfully accomplish this gets the recruit sent back to a younger platoon to try again. During this period of time, any medical complications are dealt with such as a wisdom tooth needing to be pulled because it doesn’t influence training as much.

Phase Three of Marine Boot Camp

The third phase of marine boot camp is where the recruits refine their skills. Taking what they already know, they begin to learn what it means to be in actual combat. They undergo longer marches and overnights outside where they learn team work and performing different maneuvers to successfully beat an enemy. It is also during this stage that the recruits must undergo their exposure to CS gas. They have to successfully put the mask on while being gassed to move on to the final stage of training. Trying to escape or failing to get the mask on means the recruit gets demoted back.

Crucible

The final stage of training is known as the crucible. During this, the recruit goes on a 54 hour operation where they are forced to do long marches and different types of drills. The purpose is to make it as stressful as possible on the recruits to ensure that they can apply all of their skills to their duties. Upon completion, they go to sleep and the next morning, make a long march to their Warriors breakfast. Here, they get to eat whatever they want and then go on to become a Marine.