Expert: John Pierce - 12/18/2005

Question
Hello,

Could you please tell me what a recruit to the marines and expect when he first joins.

I am interested in anything you can tell me about training/discipline/life in general.

Thank you,

Jon.

Answer
Hello Jon,

Marines go through three months of intense training at one of the two recruit depots.  Recruit training covers all of the basic aspects of being a Marine.  Everything from marksmanship, hand to hand combat, uniform regulations, history, customs, etc.  Upon graduation, new Marines go to the School of Infantry for either a month of Marine Combat Training, or, in the case of infantry Marines, several weeks of their actual MOS School in various infantry jobs. Non infantry Marines will follow MCT with their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) school.  These schools vary in length depending on the job being taught.  After their MOS school, Marines are then assigned to their first permanent duty station.  They usually work fairly regular hours, Monday through Friday.  This can often change with various deployments and field training.  The life of a Marine can be extremely hard at times, and quite easy at other times.  If you think of anything specific that you would like to know more about, don't hesitate to ask.

John Pierce