Sample Daily Boot Camp Training Schedule

[sparkie]

Daily schedule

A typical day in Marine Corps boot camp generally follows this schedule (physical training is only done on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday):^[1]

Time	Activity	Description
5:00AM	Wake-up	Wake up and perform personal morning tasks. For males, shaving is mandatory every morning.
5:10AM	Fall-in	Line up in company area, perform morning physical training (calisthenics and running).
6:30AM	Morning chow
8:30AM	Training	Begin the day's scheduled training exercises.
12:00PM	Noon chow
1:00PM	Training	Continue the day's scheduled training exercises.
5:00PM	Evening chow
6:00PM	Drill instructor time	Time for drill instructors to talk to the recruits about any subject they may think requires attention. Mail call is also performed during this time.
8:30PM	Personal time	Time for recruits to engage in personal activities, such as writing letters, working out, doing laundry, or shaving. Recruits may also catch up on platoon duties during this time, such as barracks cleaning or boot shining.
9:30PM	Lights-out	Time for recruits to sleep.

Female internees practicing calisthenics in Manzanar. ... For other uses, see Running (disambiguation). ...
Organizational Structure

Boot camp is broken down structurally by regiment, battalion, company and platoon. One recruit training regiment, or RTR, is composed of three recruit training battalions (aboard MCRD Parris Island, there is an additional battalion to train female recruits. No females are trained at MCRD San Diego.). British regiment A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - commanded by a colonel. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols This article is about the military unit. ... Standard NATO code for a friendly infantry company. ... Platoon of the German Bundeswehr. ...


Drill Instructors

Central to the experience, training and development of Marine recruits is the Marine Drill Instructor. Each Boot Camp platoon is assigned at least three, perhaps more, Drill Instructors. There are several (usually two) Drill Instructors serving under a more experienced Senior Drill Instructor (SDI). Drill Instructors receive the Drill Instructor Ribbon for their billets of professionalism and excellence. This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A Drill Instructor Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces which is issued by the United States Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. ...

A platoon will either have three or four drill instructors. The head drill instructor is called the "Senior Drill Instructor" and must be addressed as such. The second in command is officially the EDI, or "Experienced Drill Instructor" but is unofficially referred to as the "heavy hat"or "j-hat" for junior DI. This hat is usually responsible for ensuring the platoon has the gear it needs and for teaching them drill. The third drill instructor in a three-hat team is the ADI, "Assistant Drill Instructor" commonly referred to as the "kill hat". This hat is the one who teaches the recruits knowledge and is usually the one who "corrects" recruits.


Diet & Fitness

Recruits receive their initial weigh-in during the forming phase.^[2] If the recruit is under or over the height and weight standards^[3][4][5], the recruit is placed on double rations (underweight) or in a "diet recruit" status (overweight).

Recruits on double rations, or "double rat recruits", are given twice the "chow" of their within-standards compatriots. Conversely, diet recruits are put on a strict diet composed of fewer calories and lower-fat foods such as baked fish and rice.

All recruits receive three meals a day. These are either served at the mess facility while in garrison or via Meals, Ready to Eat...or a "boxed chow" that has a sandwich, chips, cookies, hard boiled eggs, and assorted vegetables. For people named Garrison, see Garrison (disambiguation) Garrison House, built by William Damm in 1675 at Dover, New Hampshire Garrison (from the French garnison, itself from the verb garnir, to equip) is the collective term for the body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but... An MRE packet, containing a spaghetti with meat sauce main course. ...


Training Schedule

Boot camp is broken down into three numbered phases, with a receiving phase during the first week at the depot. Each phase includes intensive education and training on history, customs and courtesy, close order drill, as well as other topics deemed essential for United States Marines. This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Boot camp itself is a 12-week cycle of training, not including the first week of in-processing, called "forming".^[6]


Receiving Phase


The first activity of a new recruit is to stand in his or her first formation, marked by these yellow footprints


The initial period of Marine Corps Boot Camp is called the Receiving Phase. This period begins as the new recruits are on the bus, getting onto their recruit Depot. At this point they are civilians who desire to enlist, with little or no understanding of the requirements demanded of Marines in today's Fleet Marine Force. At this point they are acquainted with the famous "Yellow Footprints". These footprints are spread at 45 degrees, the proper foot placement for the position of attention "POA", at which they will spend most of boot camp. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

The recruits are then made aware of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice), which they are liable under. From here they are searched, and must give up any and all civilian conveniences, and they don their initial military issued uniforms. From here, the males receive their first military haircut, where they are left essentially bald. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is the foundation of military law in the United States. ...

After this, the recruits go through days worth of introduction to the Marine Corps and completing the paperwork necessary to accommodate them into the Marine Corps. This takes approximately three days, ending with the Initial Strength Test (IST). The IST consists of performance tests involving pull-ups, abdominal crunches, and running. To pass, a male recruit must complete at least 2 pull-ups, 44 crunches in two minutes, and run 1.5 miles in 13:30 minutes or less. The female recruits must hold a “flexed arm hang” (hanging on a bar with their arms bent) for at least 12 seconds. They must also complete 44 crunches in two minutes, and run 1.5 miles in 15:00 minutes or less.

From here, those recruits who pass are prepared for their actual platoons, while those who fail are dropped, for males, to PCP (Physical Conditioning Platoon), informally known as the "Pork Chop Platoon" or "Donut Brigade", and for females, to FRP (Female Rehabilitation Platoon), where recruits are subjected to even more intense physical training. Female recruits are also dropped to FRP to recover from injuries received during training and to recover from certain illnesses. From this point, recruits experience "Black Friday". This is the day where they meet their actual Drill Instructors. They also meet their Company Commander, a Captain, who orders their Drill Instructors to train them to become Marines. It is at this point that Boot Camp truly begins. Please see Captain (military) for other versions of this rank Captain is a rank in the United States armed forces that ranks between a First Lieutenant and Major (O-3 in the United States Army, U.S. Air Force, and United States Marines), or a rank between a Commander and...

At this point, recruits receive their "IT Brief", where the recruits learn of the consequences of disobedience, or even not performing to the Drill Instructor's expectations. The Drill Instructors physically, psychologically and mentally challenge the recruits, including yelling at maximum volume to induce stress, simulate stress of the battlefield, and elicit immediate compliance to instructions. As punishment for infractions, both major and minor, "incentive physical training" AKA "getting thrashed/bent" or "going to the pit" (usually as a Platoon) can be imposed on wayward recruits. In past years, this policy of "individual/incentive training" has become controversial in its alleged severity, however it is defended by the Marines who have gone through it as "essential" to the training necessary to becoming a Marine.

Each phase consists of a predetermined number of training days, these are counted in the training matrix as "T1", "T2", etc.^[7]


Phase One

Phase One lasts approximately four weeks. This phase is designed to break the recruits of civilian habits and to prepare them for Marine Corps discipline. This is done by disorienting them and instilling in them the mental and physical discipline needed to perform under stressful situations that will be simulated in subsequent phases, and experienced in combat situations. It is at this point that a recruit must come to terms with the decision he has made, and where he develops the true determination needed to make it through the process of becoming a United States Marine.

The purpose of the First Phase is to psychologically break down the Recruit. At this point, civilian thoughts and habits are considered detrimental to training, so they are squashed during this period by intense physical training, unchanging routines, strict discipline, and heavy instruction. The process is designed to enable recruits to learn to survive in combat situations, when captured by the enemy, and generally to adapt and overcome any encounters foreign to the recruit. One of the principle ideals learned during this period is that any and all Marines must be called "Sir", or "Ma'am", because they have completed the journey and become "Fleet Marines." Also, from this point onward recruits are not permitted to refer to themselves with first-person ("I") or second-person ("you") pronouns, because traditionally Marines think of themselves as the Corps, or their unit, first (rather than thinking of themselves as an individual recruit/Marine). Instead, recruits are required to use third-person referrals, such as referring to themselves as "This (or the) recruit" or "These (or the) recruits", etc. Failure to do so usually ends with extreme punishment, such as an IT.

The bulk of first phase, other than the breakdown, consist of classes about the Marine Corps, First Aid, History, Rank, Protocol, Customs and Courtesies, and other relevant topics.

During this phase, recruits are also issued their M16A2 Service Rifle. This rifle is to be theirs through the entirety of Boot Camp. Recruits must learn their rifle's serial number, the four weapons safety rules, the four weapons conditions, and go through preparatory lessons in Marksmanship. In addition, recruits begin to learn close order drill, to instill discipline, and the immediate and willing obedience to orders. The weapon is always referred to as a 'weapon' and never a 'gun'. M16 (more formally United States Rifle, Caliber 5. ... The service rifle (also known as standard-issue rifle) of a given army or armed force is that which it issues as standard to its soldiers. ...

By the end of First Phase, Recruits can march, respond to orders, and can PT adequately. All recruits must also pass swimming qualifications at the end of Phase One. Recruits unable to pass their swimming qualifications will be dropped out of their original platoon and cycled into a different platoon so they have another chance to pass the qualifications.

At this point they are ready for Phase Two.


Phase Two

Phase Two of Marine Corps Boot Camp, is essentially the training that Marines require for the field. This includes two weeks of rifle training, 'field week', and the Crucible.

The First week of the second phase of boot camp is known as "Grass Week". This week is spent in class learning about the Marksmanship principles of the M16, and how to shoot efficiently. When not in class, recruits are "snapping in", or dry firing their rifles at painted targets similar to the targets they will fire at for qualification.

The second week is qualification week. This week recruits are awakened early in the morning to prepare the rifle range for firing. They spend all day running through the "KD" or Known Distance Course of fire, practicing their aim, firing, and recovery. On Thursday of that week is qualification day. There, recruits fire at the 200, 300, and 500 meter lines, in the sitting, kneeling, and standing positions, and must pass with one of three qualification levels: Marksman, sharpshooter, or expert. The Marines are the only branch of the US military that require the 500 meter line qualification.

After the Rifle range, recruits begin Field Week. During this week, recruits learn basic infantry tactics, designed to give every Marine the ability to function as a rifleman, should the need permit. During this week, recruits are trained in such topics as the use of gas masks, field movements (humping, the Marine term for hiking in full gear), night fire, bivouacking, field first aid, etc. At the end of this week, the recruits prepare for the Crucible. Belgian 1930s era L.702 model civilian mask. ...


The Crucible

The Crucible is the culmination of everything a basic rifleman Marine should know. It is three days of constant strenuous testing, humping, hardship, punishment, and starvation. The recruit is given four MREs, and this is meant to supply them for the next three days. Worthy of note is that while some recruits have food to spare at the end of this ordeal, others consume their rations quickly, and when they become hungry, other recruits aid their fellows, some even giving their last bit of food to another. This is one of the goals of the Crucible: to train Marines to look out for one another. This also distinguishes leaders among the recruits, something the Drill Instructors look for in their platoons. The Crucible consists of certain challenges for the recruits, broken into teams of 15, to accomplish as a whole, or fail as a whole. One single recruit completing an obstacle means almost nothing. If anyone fails, it means that those that completed it failed to aid their fellow recruit in the accomplishment of their given mission. This is perhaps the ultimate goal of the Crucible: to instill in potential Marines that completing the mission is paramount to anything else. Added to these tasks, the recruits only get 8 hours of sleep over the course of these three days, adding the very real element of fatigue to the situations. On the final day of the Crucible, recruits are awoken and begin their final march (On the West coast this begins the 'Reaper' March). The United States Marine Corps Crucible is the final test in phase two of Marine Corps recruit training. ...


Phase Three

Third Phase is essentially the 'polishing' of the recruits, where their drilling, knowledge, and basic skills are honed and tested. Also, they are fitted for their full issue of service uniforms. After this, the recruits are tested out in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, and the knowledge test. After this, there is what is known as "team week", where recruits help out in the chow hall, pool, and other areas where labor is needed. The point of this week is to instill upon the almost Marines that they will be called upon for more than their given job, to help others in the accomplishment of their mission. MCMAP logo The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) is a combat system developed by the United States Marine Corps to combine existing and new hand-to-hand and close combat techniques with morale and team-building functions and instruction in what the Marine Corps calls the Warrior Ethos.[1...

After Team Week, the recruits have Final Drill. This is a test not only of the recruits, but also how well the Drill Instructors have trained them. This is graded, as is the Battalion Commander's inspection, which happens after. At this point, the recruits, dressed in a Marine's service Alpha uniform, minus the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (which they have not yet been awarded), are inspected by a Lt. Col. They have their Service Rifle inspected, as well as their Rifle Manual, and their general knowledge and bearing. They are asked questions that they were not previously made aware of, such as, "What was the most important thing you learned in Boot Camp?" After this, the recruits turn in their rifles, and prepare for graduation, practicing for the ceremony. Also, these recruits are afforded more privileges than the first phase recruits they are around, such as getting first priority at the chow hall, as well as getting to occasionally eat at the Marine chow hall. At the beginning of the last week, the recruits receive their military ID, as well as their personal items (any items with them upon arrival). Eagle, Globe, and Anchor The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) is the official emblem of the United States Marine Corps. ...


Graduation

The last day is called Family Day. This is the day the recruits have been waiting for. It is the "Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Ceremony". This is the moment where they cease to be recruits, and become Marines forever, and are awarded their trademark Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) insignia. This is followed by liberty with their families. But first, they have their "moto" run, where they run as a company, yelling Marine Corps Cadences. That night, their last at their Depots, the tradition is to have a gong show. A gong show is where the newly minted Marines get together and mock the Drill Instructors (in a respectable and appreciative manner of course), whom they now refer to as their rank. The new Marines refer to themselves in the first person, as well as addressing themselves as Private, or Private First Class, as merited. It has also been known to occur that the Drill Instructors use their last night to IT their platoon one last time. The next morning, the new Marines stack their sea bags in a Pyramid, form for the graduation ceremony, and are dismissed from the Recruit Depot, to their Boot leave (10 days), pending either MCT (Marine Combat Training), or SOI (School of Infantry), depending on their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). From here, Marine Corps Boot camp is finished, the new Marines begin their enlistments. A drill sergeant drills privates in the U.S. Army. ... The School of Infantry (SOI) — SOI East, located at United States Marine Corps Base Camp Geiger, a satellite facility of Camp Lejeune, and the SOI West at Camp Pendleton — host the second stage of initial military training for enlisted Marines after recruit training. ... The School of Infantry (SOI) — SOI East, located at United States Marine Corps Base Camp Geiger, a satellite facility of Camp Lejeune, and the SOI West at Camp Pendleton — host the second stage of initial military training for enlisted Marines after recruit training. ... A Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is a job classification in use in the United States Army and Marine Corps. ...

[0231Marine]

Daily schedule

A typical day in Marine Corps boot camp generally follows this schedule (physical training is only done on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday):^[1]

Time	Activity	Description
5:00AM	Wake-up	Wake up and perform personal morning tasks. For males, shaving is mandatory every morning.
5:10AM	Fall-in	Line up in company area, perform morning physical training (calisthenics and running).
6:30AM	Morning chow
8:30AM	Training	Begin the day's scheduled training exercises.
12:00PM	Noon chow
1:00PM	Training	Continue the day's scheduled training exercises.
5:00PM	Evening chow
6:00PM	Drill instructor time	Time for drill instructors to talk to the recruits about any subject they may think requires attention. Mail call is also performed during this time.
8:30PM	Personal time	Time for recruits to engage in personal activities, such as writing letters, working out, doing laundry, or shaving. Recruits may also catch up on platoon duties during this time, such as barracks cleaning or boot shining.
9:30PM	Lights-out	Time for recruits to sleep.

I wish our days were like that...lol. We never even heard of personal time! Also, there is no longer any boot shining and we only recieved 2 MRE's for the Cruicible. Maybe we were just lucky like that!

Anyway, great post! 99% if that info is by the book. Especially the IT! We even did a Gong Show the last night there too. One of the funniest nights of my life.

[CplKJSpevak]

Good Stuff Sgt. Sparkie, After a couple of weeks our plt. would be dressed online when the lights came on (DI's loved that) so they could get us to chow real quick,,,,I think we had morning cleanup after morning chow....

[Quinbo]

We had a no green revellie rule strictly enforced. Series commander would be on deck at revellie and every swinging dick better get out of the rack wearing boxers and a t-shirt nothing more. Chow at 5:10 we were told the night before get your **** together as right face will be 5 minutes after revellie and you will be fully dressed by the time we hit the chowhall. Jump in your cammies and haul ass. You have 60 seconds to un**** your selves or we're skipping this meal. Left right left hopping along trying to button crap and tie boots. You figured it out or you went in the front door and out the back door without a bite of chow.

[sparkie]

I red it afore I posted,,, didn't agree with it all, but thought it was a good cover. Free time one hour,,,, BS.

[CJ Haynes]

Lol, lights at 5 AM? I wish! We woke up at 3:30 or 4 almost all the time! Also, in my platoon, if you were unlucky enough to have firewatch on Sgt. Jackson's duty nights....just stand by.

[sparkie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rine_Corps_MOS

[sparkie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps

[KearneyJustinD]

since I havn't seen this done before, Here's a link to the MCRD training matrix
http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/training/matrix/index.asp
really good insight there. has all 3 phases.

[ameriken]

hell i dont even remember my schedule being anything like that. it was alot different. yea we got free time, but most of the time our di's would play stupid games with us. or make mail call take forever.

Yeah, stupid games is right. I remember the schedule starting a little more like this:

0500: Lights on and big metal sh-tcan goes flying down the squadbay deck as DI yells "Outta the rack!"
0500:30...."No No No you bunch of lard-a*s women, you're too slow! Get back in the rack! NOW!"
0501: Lights on and big metal sh-tcan goes flying down the squadbay deck as DI yells "Outta the rack!"

And that would go on a few times till everyone was out of the rack and on line in about 2 seconds. Usually the last one on line got a dose of bends and thrusts. In other words, training began precisely at 0500.

[NoRemorse]

Yeah, stupid games is right. I remember the schedule starting a little more like this:

0500: Lights on and big metal sh-tcan goes flying down the squadbay deck as DI yells "Outta the rack!"
0500:30...."No No No you bunch of lard-a*s women, you're too slow! Get back in the rack! NOW!"
0501: Lights on and big metal sh-tcan goes flying down the squadbay deck as DI yells "Outta the rack!"

And that would go on a few times till everyone was out of the rack and on line in about 2 seconds. Usually the last one on line got a dose of bends and thrusts. In other words, training began precisely at 0500.

0500? Must have been a Sunday.

[0231Marine]

I have a question, do u have time to stretch in the morning or whatever? Because I always stretch my lower back before running so I don't feel any pain in my lower back beforehand. Or do you have a couple minutes in the morning to stretch? Just wondering. Thanks.

Are you talking about right when you wake up? If so, then the answer is no. If you're talking about during actual pt, then yes, your drill instructor will run you through stretches as well as warm up exercises before pt.

[rodriguez35]

Best damn information on Recruit Training I have yet to see.

[Wight89]

waking up at 0500??? try 0330 haha

Just graduated march 5th!