U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Training - The Crucible : USA International News

The Crucible is a rigorous 54-hour final test in U.S. Marine Corps recruit training, and represents the culmination of all of the skills and knowledge a Marine should possess. It simulates typical combat situations with strenuous testing, hardship, and the deprivation of food and sleep. Recruits are broken into squad-sized teams and placed under the charge of one drill instructor. West Coast recruits are returned to Edson Range for the Crucible. Parris Island recruits will conduct the Crucible in the derelict Page Airfield on the south end of the depot.

Some of the challenges encountered during the Crucible are various team and individual obstacle courses, day and night assault courses, land navigation courses, individual rushes up steep hills, large-scale martial arts challenges, and countless patrols to and from each of these. Often, these challenges are made even more difficult by the additions of limitations or handicaps, such as the requirement to carry several ammunition drums, not touching portions of an obstacle painted red to indicate simulated booby traps, and evacuating team members with simulated wounds.

On the final day of the Crucible, recruits are awoken and begin their final march . . . and to an awaiting "Warrior's Breakfast" upon its completion.

Video "courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps / Dept. of Defense and from the November 2009 episode of the Pentagon Channel's Recon program.

Marine Corps sites: http://www.marines.com | http://www.marines.mil

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