The Crucible

A Rite of Passage for all Marines

The Crucible is the 54-hour culmination to the transformation of recruit training. It is a physically and mentally challenging event that involves food and sleep deprivation and the completion of various obstacles for the potential Marine to negotiate.

Basic Facts
-- Recruits will travel 48 miles on foot during the event.
-- There are 29 problem-solving exercises during the Crucible.
-- It consists of 36 different stations.
-- The recruits will have three meals, ready-to-eat (MREs) during the 54 hours.
-- The recruits will be required to carry 45 pounds during the Crucible, in addition to 782 gear, uniform and M16 A2 service rifle weight.

Day 1
Reveille (2 am)
Night movement (3 am)Recruits conduct a 6-mile hike to the Crucible site.

Events 1-3 (5: 30 am - 6:30 pm)

Event 1 – Battle of Hue CityA one-hour event in which the teams resupply water, ammunition and MREs through a course which consists of trenches, wire fences and walls.
After the resupply course, teams negotiate the warrior stations below:
Pfc Jenkins PinnacleTeams cross two horizontal cable-supported logs.
Pfc Garcia's EngagementIndividuals demonstrate their knowledge of hand-to-hand combat skills, and then participate in a warrior case study of Pfc. Garcia.
Lehew's ChallengeTeams of two climb over an eight-foot high horizontal log.
Corbin's ConvoyTeams react to a simulated IED while on patrol.

Event 2 – Battle of Belleau Wood: Pugil Sticks/Body Sparring
Leadership Reaction CourseA three-hour event in which the teams perform six reaction course problems which test their ability to work as a team to solve problems. Some of the problems include:
Using three wooden boards to cross a number of stumps without touching the ground.
Negotiating a water hole using the same wooden board concept to get from point A to point B.
Transporting a large container over a wall using the limited resources available.
Once completing the events, the teams of two face off in a pugil stick bout.

Event 3 – Core Event and Warrior StationsA one-hour event which can hold a maximum of six teams working concurrently.
Noonan's Casualty EvacuationThe team will recover a downed pilot and another recruit “shot” by a sniper and transport them over a mile of wooded terrain.
Enhanced Obstacle Coursethe recruits carry a dummy casualty on a stretcher and ammunition cans from one end of a standard Marine Corps obstacle course to the other, going over all obstacles.
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) Strikes Station - Recruits are required to demonstrate and conduct five-minute MCMAP strikes.
Core Values StationRecruits sit inside a hut and receive information on a particular core value from their drill instructor.

Night Event (8 pm - 11 pm)
Five-mile night hike with a time limit of three hours.

Sleep (midnight - 4 am)



Day 2
Reveille (4 am)

Events 4-6 (5:30 am - 6:30 pm)

Event 4 – Battle of FallujahA one-hour event in which teams resupply water, ammunition and MREs through the Combat Assault Course.
Following the completion of the Battle of Fallujah, recruits negotiate a bayonet assault course and the warrior stations below:
Perez's PassageTeams cross a “contaminated area” by swinging on ropes from “safe spot” to “safe spot.”
Kraft's StruggleTeams climb a 10-foot wall and climb down the opposite side by a knotted rope.
John Quick Trail (Navigation Station)Basic map reading and grid coordinate plotting will be reviewed and evaluated.
Core Values StationRecruits sit inside a hut and receive information on a particular core value from their drill instructor.

Event 5 – Battle of Mariana IslandsCombat Endurance CourseTeams have two hours to complete five events of a modified Confidence Course.
The Sky ScraperThe team retrieves a “wounded” dummy from the top of an 18-foot tower.
Stairway to HeavenTeam members move two ammunition cans over the top of a 36-foot ladder obstacle.
Two-Line BridgeTeam members cross two 52-foot long ropes with their hands and feet suspended two feet and 10 feet off the ground as they carry ammunition cans and water re-supply cans.
The WeaverTeam members climb over and under 24 logs, 42 feet in length ascending to 14 feet as they carry ammunition and water re-supply cans.
In addition to the Enhanced Confidence Course, teams go through a Combat Endurance Course.
Combat Endurance Course- Teams conduct a simulated patrol, negotiate the obstacles and report the number and types of obstacles to intelligence sources.

Event 6 – Battle of Khe Sanh (Unknown Distance Firing)Teams of four fire two magazines of five rounds each from simulated building structures at unknown distance targets in a time limit of 70 seconds. The number of targets hit and number of unused ammunition is then recorded.
Following Day's Defense, team members participate in a 250-meter casualty evacuation where members remove simulated casualties from a simulated danger area consisting of artillery simulators.

Night Event (8 pm - 11 pm)
Night Infiltration CourseTeams re-supply water, ammunition and MREs at night in a simulated combat environment. The teams take their ammunition cans, water cans and simulated MREs through the Combat Assault Course with the added obstacle of darkness.

Sleep (midnight - 4 am)


Day 3
Reveille (3 am)

Nine-mile hike (4 am - 7 am)
Recruits conduct a nine-mile hike from the Crucible site back to the battalion.

Eagle Globe and Anchor Ceremony (7:30-8:00)
New Marines will receive an Eagle Globe and Anchor from their Drill Instructor marking their transition from a recruit to a Marine.

Warrior's Breakfast - The recruits are treated to a breakfast fit for only true warriors. It consists of all-you-can-eat steak, eggs and potatoes.