Marine Corps Recruit Training

Marine Corps Recruit Training? Been there, done it. I was 17 and my folks had to sign a release so I could enlist. I arrived at MCRD, San Diego for Marine Corps Recruit Training in June of 1972, right after high school graduation. That was a time ago but I doubt things have changed a whole lot.

During my 12 - 13 weeks of Marine Corps Recuit Training I served as squad leader and qualified Expert with the M14. I missed qualifying as series rifle champion by ONE frickin' point. I caught hell for that because every DI in my platoon and several from other platoons were betting money, beer and what not that I would take series champ. I had been shooting high score all week but on qual day I obviously wasn't good enough or maybe my focus was off just a tad. I also ranked #2 within the 4 platoon series using pugil sticks. I enjoyed the fights, thought that was great fun. Again #2 - never frickin' #1 - it pissed me off.

Did I Mention They Gassed Us?

Our DI's rallied us into formation on the grinder and our SDI proceeded to tell us with great enthusiasm that he had a pretty great surprise for us and that we all would enjoy the experience. I personally had learned, as I am sure the others had also, that whenever our SDI bespoke of fun and excitment with such enthusiasm it was mainly because that in some demented way he was thoroughly going to enjoy watching all of us squirm, hurt, or have to withstand some form of torment.

We ran to our appointed destination. We were halted in formation beside a large barn-like quonset building and then our SDI began to explain that we were going to be subjected to gas in case we ever had to contend with it in a combat situation. We were then each issued a gas mask and told how to use it. We were also told how to properly care for it because it would be ours to keep throughout training.

Soon we were given orders to march into the barn-like structure and then told to put on the damn masks. Then canisters of gas materialized out of nowhere and smoke and gas filled the structure. It became so thick it was hard to see the guy next to or in front of me. Then I hear d our SDI tell us to take off our masks. Now let me ask you ...

Have you ever sang the whole Marine Corps hym? I never realized how long it can take to sing that dang hym! We had to sing all the verses while in the gas with our masks off. It truly was an experience. Do you have any idea what that is like? Let me tell you how it was ...

It was damn horrible and ...

You'll come out that qhut (gas chamber) with boogers the size of spuds hanging in strings from your snotlocker, saliva running from your mouth to your waist, some of my squad puked their guts up so be prepared, your eyes and skin burn like they are on fire and that's just one of the nice goodies one has to endure to earn the name Marine. Be prepared to get your dose of gas. I know I sure enjoyed mine. Oh and I have included the Marine Corps Hym lyrics on this page so that you can learn it and be able to sing during your turn in the gas chamber.

I Graduated.

Things have changed since I went through Marine Corps recruit training. I know you'll get gassed, run everywhere, be subjected to tremendous amounts of PT (physical training) and some fairly harsh mental abuse. I think both the physcial and mental abuse (from what I have heard and watched) is a lot less than it was in 1972 but in some respects the training has become more comprehensive. You'll learn some tatics in MCRT that I didn't learn until ITS (Infantry Training School).

I graduated with a meritorious promotion to Pfc (E-2) and since my GCT scores were fairly high I was offered the Platoon Leaders Course which was, at that time, a course for Officer Candidates who had not graduated from college. The Corps would have sent me to college and after my freshman or junior year I'd have attended OCS and if I graduated from OCS I would have then continued through college and once I had earned my degree would have been commissioned. However ...

Although the offer looked amazing on the surface it actually posed some drawbacks to a young 17 year old Marine, just out of boot camp, who wasn't sure at that point as to whether he wanted to become a "lifer" or not. So being young I passed on that tremendous opportunity electing to simply be the best enlisted Marine I could be.

IF you decide to take on the challenge of becoming a Marine I recommend you prepare yourself for Marine Corps recruit training because the time you take to prepare will definitely make your experience much easier. When you graduate you'll have the right to be proud. Proud for the rest of your life. You'll know what the words Honor, Courage, Commitment and Semper Fi really mean.

You bring absolutely NOTHING to Marine Corps recruit training except:

1) Driver's License
2) Social Security Card
3) Bank Information

Everything, and I mean E-V-E-R-Y thing else will be issued to you upon arrival. If the Corps wants you to have it they will issue it to you! Anything you bring other than the 3 items mentioned above is contraband and will be confiscated.

Marine Corps Recruit Training will most likely be the most gruelling 12 weeks of your entire life and if you want to survive you will need to start preparing so that your chances of graduating increase dramatically. So what steps can you take, starting right now to prepare for Marine Corps Recruit Training? Here are 5 Steps you can take right now ...

1) Get in shape physically. The physical training you'll be subjected to is very demanding. If you're overweight lose it. If your upper body strength is poor - get strong. If your endurance is lacking - improve it. You'll need to be able to:

* Accomplish at least 3 pull-ups from a dead hang
* 40 bent knee sit-ups in 2 minutes
* Run 3 miles in less than 28 minutes.

Those were MINIMUM requirements in 1972 when I went through Marine Corps Recruit Training at MCRD, San Diego. They have changed the requirements somewhat but IF you can meet those 3 PFT requirements now, you'll be that much farther ahead and find the physical training to be a lot easier to swallow. However ...

If you plan on graduating Marine Corps Recruit Training in an outstanding and meritorious fashion with a promotion to E-2, even E-3 (looks good in your SRB) further enhancing your career promotion opportunities you need to max the PFT or come as close to doing so as possible. Again for me that meant at least 20 pull-ups, 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes and running 3 miles in 18 minutes. I never did run 3 miles in 18 minutes. My best time (final PFT before graduation) was 3 miles in just under 21 minutes. Yeah ok, so I was a bit slow ... bite me.

2) Learn to Swim. It was amazing to me how many recruits in my platoon did not know how to swim or swam poorly. If you don't know how to swim learn. If you swim poorly take lessons or find a friend who is a strong swimmer and have them help you. The Marine Corps is both a land and an amphibious assault force. You will be tested on your swimming capability in Marine recruit training. If one of your aspirations is to become a Recon Marine you will need to be a strong swimmer.

3) Get in shape mentally. For many recruits the mental abuse you will be subjected to during Marine Corps Recruit Training far outweighs the physical training demands in regards to difficulty. Keep in mind there are important reasons for the mental conditioning.

* To weed out those who can't take it
* To inspire unconditional discipline
* To mentally transform each recruit into a team member

Remember, once you graduate you will be a U.S. Marine. What that means is that you could very likely see combat which requires teamwork, quick thinking, nerves of steel and unconditional discipline to stay alive. Your life and the life of your fellow Marines may very well depend upon your mental stability and courage.

4) Learn Marine Corps history. Learn all you can about the Marine Corps such as:

* What the Corps stands for (core values)
* Who the Corps heros are and why
* Famous Marine Corps battles

5) Learn basic Marine Corps knowledge. By taking the initiative to learn these things in advance you'll find you are much more prepared than other recruits you'll meet during your 12 weeks of Marine Corps Recruit Training. Learn:

* A Marine's 11 General Orders.
* A Marine's Code of Conduct
* The USMC Rifle Creed
* USMC Quotes and Jargon
* USMC Leadership Traits
* Commandmants of the USMC
* The Marine Corps Prayer
* Nomenclature of the M16A2/A4 & M4 Carbine
* Marine Rank Insignias
* Marine jargon

And not necessarily in that order. See if you can determine which are the most important. I'll give you a hint. EVERY Marine, whether a cook or a Force Recon Officer, is considered and trained as a combat "rifleman" and each Marine is required to qualify every year.

By taking the initiative to prepare in advance for Marine Corps Recruit Training you'll not only begin to learn the qualities of leadership but you'll also find you are much farther ahead of the other recruits you'll meet during your Marine recruit training adventure.

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Once you begin Marine Corps Recruit Training you'll need to memorize your 11 general orders so you may as well take the initive and learn them now.

The 11 General Orders for U.S. Marines

General Order 1
To take charge of this post and all government property in view.

General Order 2
To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

General Order 3
To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

General Order 4
To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.

General Order 5
To quit my post only when properly relieved.

General Order 6
To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.

General Order 7
To talk to no one except in the line of duty.

General Order 8
To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

General Order 9
To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.

General Order 10
To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.

General Order 11
To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

Do you know how to prepare for Marine Corps Recruit Training? You need to know because Marine Corps Recruit Training will be the most grueling, mentally and physically demanding, 12 weeks of your life. Visit the link below to find out exactly how to prepare for Marine Corps Recruit Training so that you survive and become a Marine.

If you graduate Marine Corps Recruit Training and become a Marine you will live by The Marine Code of Conduct. This is that code:

ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.

ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.

ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I WILL...

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. WE WILL HIT...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each other. WE WILL...

Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. WE ARE THE SAVIORS OF MY LIFE.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!

If you have aspirations towards becoming a Recon Marine the rules have changed a bit (in your favor) since I was in the Corps. You can now enlist under what is called a UZ Contract which entitles you to a guaranteed shot at trying to complete the BRC (Basic Recon Course), as long as you graduate Marine Recruit Training with a First Class PFT, First Class Swim and Expert rifle qualifications.

Once you graduate Marine Corps Recruit Training with those qualifications you also must do extremely well in SOI. School of Infantry (was ITS - Infantry Training School when I went through) But ...

Think very seriously about this because the drop rate is extremely high. And ...

There are many evolutions you simply won't be able to prepare for in advance except to become as physically strong as possible with the ability to persevere through and endure any challenge. It is basically the same as becoming a SEAL.

One of the things you must be able to do is swim, swim for great distances (500 - 1400 yards) with 70-80lbs of pack and swim under ocean surf conditions. You will need superb upper and lower body strength because this course is extremely physical. So swimming and running with a 70lb pack until you drop will help you become more endurance qualified. I would suggest you never do a 500 - 1400 yard swim without someone with you to provide help in case you encounter trouble. If you do not know anyone who can swim with you make sure someone, with a boat and decent upper body strength that will allow them to pull your ass out of the water, is with you when you swim to become physically conditioned for BRC.

Of course if you train in this manner ahead of time you won't have much difficulty completeing the physical portion of Marine Corps Recruit Training. Just be advised they will try to flame you in BRC and you need to be an absolute PT beast with a huge desire to make it. Your mind, heart and soul have to be right.

If you negotiate with your recruiter you can get a 4 year contract instead of the 5 they try to push and a $10,000 bonus instead of $7500 upon successful completion of the BRC.

IF you complete BRC successfully you will then be qualified for other schools such as jump, combat dive, SERE, Scout Sniper and so forth. And upon successful completion of those schools you'll be the best of the best.