What is the standard training required for a new Marine?

Recruit Training, commonly referred to as Boot Camp, is the foundational training program required for all new Marines. This rigorous, 13-week course not only instills basic military skills but also emphasizes the core values of the Marine Corps: honor, courage, and commitment. During this training, recruits undergo physical conditioning, learn essential combat skills, and develop teamwork and discipline under the guidance of drill instructors.

The operational intent of Recruit Training is to transform civilians into Marines, equipping them with the mental and physical resilience necessary to perform in combat situations. This comprehensive course also emphasizes the Marine Corps' history, traditions, and the importance of a strong ethical framework—elements that are critical to their service.

Other training options, while important, do not serve as the initial step for all new Marines. For example, survival training is specialized and not universally required at the outset, online training modules are supplementary, and advanced tactical operations training is typically reserved for Marines who have progressed beyond the initial training phase. Therefore, Boot Camp is unequivocally the standard training that initiates a Marine's journey in the Corps.