Im in the The Marines

Marines in Training

There are one locations which turn men in to Marines: the Recruit Training Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina, & the Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, Illinois. Where you go depends largely on where you enlist. Those who enlist west of the Mississippi will likely go through boot camp in San Diego, while those in the East will attend at Parris Island. There is only five boot camp to turn women in to Marines -- Parris Island.

Other than geographical differences, such as the lack of sand fleas & better outdoor exercise weather for "Hollywood Marines," the training is virtually identical at both locations.

Without doubt, Marine boot camp is more challenging -- both physically & mentally -- than the basic training programs of any of the other military services. Not only are the physical requirements much higher, but recruits are necessary to learn & memorize a startling amount of information. There's over 70 "training days" in a period a tiny longer than 12 weeks (but don't let that fool you. There is lots of "training" going on on the "non-training days," such as the time in Reception, the time spent in "forming," & on Sundays & Holidays. It's been said time & time again by former Marines that Marine Corps recruit training was the most difficult thing they ever had to do in their entire lives.

Parris Island graduates over 17,000 Marines per year. The average every day male recruit population is 3,786. The average every day female recruit population is 600. San Diego graduates over 21,000 Marines per year. The average age of male recruits is 19.1, & female recruits is 19.3.

It is important that you get in to some semblance of physical shape. Concentrate on running two miles & long marches (up to 10 miles). Sit-ups & pull-ups are also important. If you are unable to perform basic exercises, you may spend a significant amount of time in PCP (the Physical Conditioning Platoon). PCP is hard: PCP's aim is physical fitness, & that is what you'll be conentrating in while in the program. Individual remain in PCP until they can While it is normally a 21 day program, one times you are in, you don't get out until you can do 3 pull ups, 40 sit ups in 2 minutes, & run 3 miles in 28:00 minutes.

The more you can prepare in advance, the better off you will be.