Ever wonder what it's like on day 1 of Marine Corps boot camp? This video covers the entire receiving phase of USMC boot camp, from arrival, the yellow footprints, up until recruits meet their new drill instructors for the first time.

Marine Corps Recruit Training on Parris Island covering the Receiving Phase and Yellow Footprints

Every enlisted member of the world’s finest fighting force begins their transformation on the same iconic yellow footprints. Not everyone standing here will earn the title of U.S. Marine. To do so they must pass through the most demanding recruit training in the world…not everyone is cut out for it.

Over the next 12 weeks they will be tested more than they could have ever imagined physically, mentally and emotionally. The training is intense and uncompromising, but they will find parts of themselves they never knew were there. They will be broken down and rebuilt from the ground up as a disciplined, motivated and dedicated warrior for their nation…they will be United States Marines.

Within minutes of their arrival on Parris Island the new recruits surrender the last physical reminders of their past identity as a civilian such as candy, snacks, cigarettes and for the men… their hair. Welcome to the receiving phase. The receiving phase is made as confusing and disorienting for the recruits as possible, to help distance the recruits from civilian habits and to prepare them for Marine Corps discipline.

The Marine Corps' success depends upon teamwork. Therefore, teamwork is an essential part of training on Parris Island. The words "I," "me" or "my" will no longer be a part of their vocabulary. They will use words such as "this recruit," "that recruit," "these recruits." It is to replace the thought of self with the thought of the team.
Marine Boot Camp Phone Calls - Initial Phone Call

This is their first phone call home. By now the reality of being away sinks in and 3 months may seem like a lifetime at this moment. The next 4 days will be a gauntlet of paperwork, medical and dental exams to ensure that they are fit to train. At the end of the receiving phase the recruits meet their first real challenge…the initial strength test or “IST”.

USMC Initial Strength Test

Before training can start, each male recruit must be able to do a minimum of 2 pull-ups and female recruits must be able to do a flexed arm hang for 12 seconds. Both are required to do 44 crunches in 2 minutes and run 1.5 miles in under 13 minutes and 30 seconds for the men and the females have 15 minutes to cross the finish line. Recruits are advised report to training with the ability to run much further distances at a faster pace, as the IST run is only half the distance of the 3-mile Physical Fitness Test required of all recruits. Failure here means you are sent to a physical conditioning platoon for an additional 7 to 14 days of training. The last thing these recruits want to think about is extending their time on Parris Island so they have to push themselves to make it.

Meeting their DI’s

After passing their initial strength test, Marine Corps recruit training begins with a moment these recruits will never forget. Its time to meet their drill instructors.

They are the backbone of the Marine Corps, demanding perfectionists who monopolize every waking hour of the recruit’s lives. Every second of every day will be spent with these drill instructors who will mould them into Marines. They will instill in them, through their own example, the utmost levels of professionalism, teamwork, discipline and confidence. They really do make Marines.

свернуть