Aspiring Marines Should Expect In Recruit Training

Marines are known to be forces that could react quickly to different situations. Hard obstacles could seem easy for them to handle, for they are specifically trained for those areas. They are trained to respond quickly to different crises, even from far areas.  Furthermore, they’re said to be combat-ready, being tasked to protect naval bases, provide quick-strike forces, and are trained to adapt to every environment they’re in. Aspiring Marines are looking forward to every challenge that they can partake in; aside from the resume samples and such after being recruited, what are the other challenges and obstacles you could probably face in the recruit training?

Recruit Receiving

During the first few days in recruit training, you won’t automatically do stuff you are not used to, and they would first introduce you to different rigid structures and their culture. You would undergo various examinations, specifically health-related, if you have the ability to do certain stuff and hardcore work. Marines would also undergo their crew cut, “high and tight,” and be issued with their own clothes and gear. Various tests such as strength, physical, and more shall be given to them to assess their capabilities before they’re introduced to their drill instructors.

Weeks 1-3

Everything needs to start with the first weeks of training. They begin to learn well about Marine Corps history, courtesies, customs, and assigned uniforms. During their Martial Art Program, they begin to learn close-order drills and even hand-to-hand combat from their drill instructor. They must keep in mind the list of core values pursued by the marines, together with basic first aid. Marines also get to learn the different sets of commands used before, during, and after recruit training, along with their marching formations.

Week 4

The week wherein they get to learn how to survive in water, the Swim Week.  They’re provided with a pool which will serve as their training area for swimming, wherein they would focus on acquiring knowledge in terms of the basics in water, such as; treading water and even leaping into deep water. After that, they would eventually move on to another method which is the technique of surviving, staying afloat even with all the issued equipment and heavy gears on. During this week, Marines are focused on passing the Swim Qualifications before going on to the next part of the training.  Slow learners are given time, rather halted from progressing unto another training level, until they’ve mastered the basics in deep water. 

Week 5

A break from all the intense training and whatsoever and the recruits are divided into multiple groups and are tasked to assist in day-to-day operations.  They are assigned to various tasks, helping around the island, cleaning buildings, doing laundry, organizing boxes, helping in supplying warehouses, and even landscaping. During this week, recruits are less supervised compared to the past weeks for them to uphold and live within the core values they swear to follow.

Week 6

Grass week. This is when the recruits begin to learn fundamental marksmanship. Although no shooting is still done, they’re first taught about the proper hand placements, firing positions, proper sighting, and the basics of firearms. After that, recruits are given time to sit, stand or lay as they sight on their practice targets.

Week 7

The thrill and exciting part is the Firing Week. They get to apply their learnings during the grass week, particularly in firing.  Using their rifles and firing from a distance in different positions, such as kneeling, sitting, standing, and prone. As they prepare for the upcoming rifle qualifications, they could be given one of the marksmanship badges: sharpshooter, expert, or marksman. In the same way with the deep water training in the pool, their progress could be halted if they failed to pass this qualification.