San Diego, California. (October 10, 2023): It is the longest thirteen weeks in a young recruit’s life, one that transforms them from self-absorbed civilian to hard as nails Marine. In this photo by Corporal Alexander O. Devereux, a new U.S. Marine from Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, is greeted by a guest after a graduation ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. This centuries old ceremony marks the complete transformation recruits achieve through grueling combat training, strict discipline, and adherence to the Marine Corps ethic. Recruit training is separated into four phases where students learn basic combat skills, marksmanship, and Marine Corps customs and traditions.

The first phase is the longest, and perhaps the most physically challenging for those not in excellent physical condition, centers around physical fitness, marital arts, and plenty of close-order drills. The primary goal of this phase is to distance the trainee from the physical and psychological habits developed as a civilian and to mold them into Marines who respond instantly to commands under pressure. They are not even allowed to refer to themselves by their own names. It is this “recruit” requests to speak.

Phase two is called “swim week” where Marines learn to negotiate water obstacles and develop the skills they will need to serve as seaborne infantry. The third phase consists of field training including ruck marches up to eight miles, living in austere environments, and extensive firearms instruction. Recruits do more jumping jacks, pushups, mountain climbers, and other exercises than they ever imagined possible during phase 3. Physical training is also used as discipline and to correct mistakes.

The final leg of this journey includes the infamous gas chamber, where students endure the effects of tear gas, and the ultimate challenge known as the dreaded “Crucible.” This is a nightmarish 54-hour event where recruits face sleep deprivation, hunger, and physical exhaustion after 48 miles of marching and completing eight incredibly challenging events. The Crucible simulates the stress of combat and the need to immediately respond to orders. If they survive, recruits will join an exclusive fraternity of warfighters and the right to the title U.S. Marine.