Training Summary (By Week)

Training Summary (By Week)

Phase One

Receiving Week: Recruits arrive on Parris Island late at night and are immediately thrust into the stressful whirlwind of in-processing, haircuts, uniform and gear issue and medical evaluations. Recruits undergo an initial strength test to ensure they are prepared for training. At the end of the week, they meet the team of drill instructors who will be responsible for them for the rest of training.
	Weeks 1-3: Recruits receive instruction on military history, customs and courtesies, basic first aid, uniforms, leadership and core values. They begin to learn discipline through close-order drill and hand-to-hand combat skills through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, which is made up of various martial arts styles.
Week 4: Swim Week. True to their name, Marines need to know how to survive in the water. Recruits learn to leap into deep water, tread water, use issued equipment to stay afloat and to shed heavy gear that could pull them under water.

Phase Two

	Week 5: Team Week. The recruits take a short break from nonstop training to help out around the island. Recruits do laundry, help in supply warehouses and clean buildings around the depot before beginning the final phase of training
Week 6: Grass Week. Recruits hike to the rifle range and begin to learn the fundamentals of Marine Corps marksmanship. Recruits learn the proper firing positions and spend hours sitting in grass fields sighting in on practice targets.
	Week 7: Firing Week. Recruits finally fire live rounds with their M16-A4 rifles. Recruits practice firing from different distances in the sitting, standing, kneeling and prone positions.
Phase Three
Week 8: Basic Warrior Training. They are taught basic skills of survival in combat, such as combat marksmanship skills, land navigation and how to manuever under enemy fire.

	Weeks 9-10: Testing Week. The recruits undergo various academic and physical exams. At the end of week ten recruits will face the Crucible, a final 54-hour field event that tests the recruits on the knowledge, skills and values they have been taught throughout training. Those who complete the final challenge are awarded their Eagle, Globe and Anchors, symbolizing their transformation from recruits to Marines.
	Phase Four
Weeks 11-12: The new Marines are inspected by their battalion commanding officers. They complete final administrative tasks on the island before their graduation ceremony. The new Marines get 10 days of leave before reporting to the Camp Lejeune, N.C., for additional combat training, and then to various military occupational specialty schools across the country	.

Recruit Training Matrix