Question 3

Question 3:
What type of training activities do Marines go through?

Sources:

"Recruit Training ." US Marine Corps. U.S Marine Corps. Web. 20 May 2013. http://www.marines.com/home.

("Recruit Training ")

Week 1- As the recruitee begins his journey to become a Marine, they must stand before a Drill Instructor who will explain the Uniform Code of Military Justice. They are then issued the necessary gear needed. Later, they will go through medical evaluations and the Initial Strength Test.

Week 2- Recruits are then led into the barracks where they will learn discipline as well as teamwork. Here the Drill Instructors focus on teaching certain simple regulations that should be followed.

Week 3- Future Marines will now be introduced to the Bayonet Assault Course. This course teaches the recruits how to properly use a bayonet to kill an opponent. When this course is over a recruitee will have mastered the technique of using a bayonet.

Week 4- Recruits will now be entering more close combat training. As a part of this training they are given Pugil Sticks. Pugil sticks are a padded pole used to mock rifle combat. Recruits will have to learn to face their fears and overpower their opponent.

Week 5- This week is used to learn the martial arts side of the Marine Corps. Marines will have to learn how to fight unarmed. As well as self-defense training, the recruits will also undergo mind and character building.

Week 6-  Recruits will now face more fear by completing the rapelling course. Rappelling is a controlled slide down a rope that helps prepare recruits for deployment from helicopters, navigating difficult areas and gaining access to buildings during raids.

Week 7- This is what is known as the "Grass Week". During Grass Week, they will learn the needed safety and principles while they practice firing their M16 without ammunition. They learn how to shoot from multiple firing position: sitting, kneeling, standing and in the prone.

Week 8- Recruits will learn to fire live rounds. Drill Instructors watch closely to see if their recruits are concentrating and taking well-aimed shots. Recruits will begin working on accuracy with 50 rounds of slow fire, one shot at a time, and move up to rapid fire, 10 shots in a row. At the end of the week, they see if they meet qualification on the Field Fire portion and the Known Distance course. They will then earn the Rifle Marksman badge, the Rifle Sharpshooter badge or the coveted Rifle Expert badge.

Week 9- Recruits will overcome obstacles on the Confidence Course. They must focus while there is choas around them. They will go through eleven unique challenges. First, they complete these individually and then in groups of four on a taller course.

Week 10- During this week, recruits learn to communicate with their fellow recruits. While many weapons fire at once, they will use hand signals to climb over walls and under barbed wire. Also, they learn to work together to respond to evolving situations on the battlefeild.

Week 11- This week is the hardest week for the recruits. Everything they were taught in weeks 1 through 10 will be tested in what is called "The Crucible". With little food and sleep, they will be challenged for 54 hours straight. In order to get through it, you have to have the heart, ability, mind, and desire to be a Marine.

Week 12- At the end of The Crucible, each platoon is presented with the Marine Corps Emblem- the eagle, globe, and anchor. This is when the recruits are first adressed as "Marine". Over the 12 week period, the recruits are transformed from civilians to Marines.