recruit training Archives - Task & Purpose

By James Clark Dec 15, 2020

News

Female Marine recruits will train at Recruit Depot San Diego for the first time ever starting next year

This is a big deal.

By Jeff Schogol Sep 24, 2020

News

The Marines are nowhere near ready for gender-integrated boot camp, commandant says

'Nothing [about] the way we’re organized right now lends itself to integrated recruit training.'

By James Clark Sep 8, 2020

Immigration Rundown

She was born in a Russian prison and became a trailblazing infantry Marine

18-year-old Maria Daume’s path to the yellow footprints of Parris Island, South Carolina, which will culminate in her graduation on...

By Carl Forsling Oct 29, 2019

Analysis

No, hazing doesn’t teach discipline. It actually does the opposite

Hazing represents the opposite [of discipline]... it is the product of a lack of self-control and laziness.

By Andrew Dyer, The San Diego Union-Tribune Oct 21, 2019

News

The Marine Corps says its boot camp reforms have cut down on drill instructor misconduct

The Marines say new reforms led to a a 64% decrease in substantiated allegations of drill instructor misconduct at Marine...

By James Clark Oct 4, 2019

Joining the Military

The student who disarmed a gunman during a Colorado high school shooting is now a US Marine

One of the high school students who helped take down and disarm a gunman during a school shooting earlier this...

By James Clark Jul 17, 2019

Mandatory Fun

Semper Fro: Just how much hair can you show up to Marine Corps boot camp with?

The barbers at boot camp don't so much cut your hair as they do shear you like sheep, rushing countless...

By Jeff Schogol Apr 30, 2019

News

The next Marine Commandant says another gender-integrated boot camp class could happen in 2020

"Although the previous decision was made by leadership in support of training efficiency, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island will...

By James Clark Apr 20, 2019

Community

He survived cancer and the Crucible. After 956 days as a recruit, he’s finally a Marine

"I owe it to the Marine Corps, because they got me through the cancer. They gave me the mindset that...

By James Clark Dec 22, 2017

News

All Marines Will Have To Take And Pass A New Battle Skills Test Starting 2018

Before newly minted Marines even reach the fleet, they spend months being inundated with knowledge and transformed from soft civilians...

By Wade Livingston, The Island Packet Oct 29, 2017

News

Read A Marine Vet’s Letter To Parris Island After His Recruit Son Bragged A DI Choked Him

Shortly after Platoon 3036’s graduation on May 15, 2015, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island received a letter from a...

By Wade Livingston, The Island Packet Oct 29, 2017

News

The Marines Are Still Haunted By Their ‘Monster In The Closet’ As Abuse Trial Looms

John Stevens once “got a good shot” in the gut for a minor offense when he was a Marine Corps...

By James Clark Oct 12, 2017

News

It’s Confirmed: Marine Corps Will Add 4th Phase To Boot Camp Starting Next Month

It’s official: The Marine Corps is adding a fourth phase to recruit training. In an Oct. 12 video, the service...

By James Clark Oct 4, 2017

News

EXCLUSIVE: Marine Corps May Add Fourth Phase To Boot Camp

The Marine Corps is considering a plan to add a fourth phase to its recruit training regimen, multiple sources have...

By James Clark Jul 24, 2017

Joining the Military

Meet 19 Of America’s Newest Marines — And Naturalized US Citizens

For 19 young men and women, earning the title United States Marine was just one of their crowning achievements this...

By James Clark Apr 4, 2017

Humor

Drill Instructor Chews Out Reporter For Making The Worst Rack He’s Ever Seen

Few things are more infantilizing than getting screamed at by a grown man because you failed to properly make your...

By James Clark Jul 6, 2016

Joining the Military

These Are The First Words Out Of Your Drill Instructor’s Mouth

“We will give every effort to train you, even after some of you have given up on yourselves.” If this...

By James Clark May 9, 2016

Mandatory Fun

The No Sh*t Truth About What It’s Like To Be A Drill Instructor

Welcome to Confessions Of, a weekly series where Task & Purpose’s James Clark solicits hilarious, embarrassing, and revealing stories from...

By James Clark May 3, 2016

Joining the Military

The Crucible Is Where Marines Are Made, And Here’s How

Marines’ graduation from boot camp marks the end to a gruelling, three-month journey. Through each phase, the recruits are challenged...

By James Clark Apr 26, 2016

Joining the Military

See What Happens When A Poolee Asks A Marine Drill Instructor, ‘What’s Up?’

There is a right way and a wrong way to talk to a Marine Corps drill instructor. Then there’s the...

By James Clark Apr 18, 2016

Joining the Military

How To Survive The First 4 Weeks Of Marine Boot Camp

“Get off my bus right now!” This is how Marine Corps recruit training, or boot camp, begins. Some guy you’ve...

recruit training

News

Featured in recruit training

Female Marine recruits will train at Recruit Depot San Diego for the first time ever starting next year

The Marines are nowhere near ready for gender-integrated boot camp, commandant says

She was born in a Russian prison and became a trailblazing infantry Marine

No, hazing doesn’t teach discipline. It actually does the opposite

The Marine Corps says its boot camp reforms have cut down on drill instructor misconduct

The student who disarmed a gunman during a Colorado high school shooting is now a US Marine

Semper Fro: Just how much hair can you show up to Marine Corps boot camp with?

The next Marine Commandant says another gender-integrated boot camp class could happen in 2020

He survived cancer and the Crucible. After 956 days as a recruit, he’s finally a Marine

All Marines Will Have To Take And Pass A New Battle Skills Test Starting 2018

Read A Marine Vet’s Letter To Parris Island After His Recruit Son Bragged A DI Choked Him

The Marines Are Still Haunted By Their ‘Monster In The Closet’ As Abuse Trial Looms

It’s Confirmed: Marine Corps Will Add 4th Phase To Boot Camp Starting Next Month

EXCLUSIVE: Marine Corps May Add Fourth Phase To Boot Camp

Meet 19 Of America’s Newest Marines — And Naturalized US Citizens

Drill Instructor Chews Out Reporter For Making The Worst Rack He’s Ever Seen

These Are The First Words Out Of Your Drill Instructor’s Mouth

The No Sh*t Truth About What It’s Like To Be A Drill Instructor

The Crucible Is Where Marines Are Made, And Here’s How

See What Happens When A Poolee Asks A Marine Drill Instructor, ‘What’s Up?’

How To Survive The First 4 Weeks Of Marine Boot Camp