The Crucible
Here is what Brian will be doing on July 4, 5, and 6:
Crucible
There is no definitive information regarding Crucible on the MCRD
SD webpage. However, the MCRD PI website has a fantastic
breakdown on their FACT page. I am asssuming that it is not too
different from the SD Recruit’s Crucible
“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 42 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 ammunition cans up to 50
pounds and dummies up to 100 pounds during the Crucible, in
addition to 782 gear, uniform and M16 A2 service rifle weight.
Day One
Reveille (0200)
Night movement (0300)-Recruits conduct a 6-mile hike to the
Crucible site.
Events 1-3 (0600-1800)
Event 1 – Day Movement resupply course- A 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:
(a) Pfc Jenkins Pinnacle- Teams cross two horizontal cable-
supported logs.
Pfc Garcia’s Engagement- Individuals demonstrate their
knowledge of hand-to-hand combat skills, and then participate in a
warrior case study of Pfc. Garcia.
Sgt. Basilone’s Challenge- Teams of two climb over an eight-foot
high horizontal log.
Event 2 – Leadership Reaction Course- A 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:
(a) 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 Stations- A one-hour event which
can hold a maximum of six teams working concurrently.
(a) Noonan’s Casualty Evacuation- The team will recover a downed
pilot and another recruit “shot” by a sniper and transport them over
a mile of wooded terrain.
Enhanced Obstacle Course- the 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.
NBC Trail- The recruits move along a 500-meter trail increasing
from MOPP 0 to MOPP 4.
MCMAP Strikes Station- Recruits are required to demonstrate and
conduct five-minute MCMAP strikes.
Core Values Station- Recruits sit inside a hut and receive
information on a particular core value from their drill instructor.
Night Event (1800-2200)- Five-mile night hike with a time limit of
three hours.
Sleep (0000-0400)
Day Two
Reveille (0400)
Events 4-6 (0600-1800)
Event 4 – Combat Assault Resupply- A one-hour event in which
teams resupply water, ammunition and MREs through the Combat
Assault Course.
Following the completion of the Combat Assault Resupply, recruits
negotiate a bayonet assault course and the warrior stations below:
(a) Sgt. Gonzalez’s Crossing- Teams cross a “contaminated area” by
swinging on ropes from “safe spot” to “safe spot.”
Pvt. Cecula’s Wall- Teams climb a 10-foot wall and climb down
the opposite side by a knotted rope.
Land Navigation Station- Basic map reading and grid coordinate
plotting will be reviewed and evaluated.
Core Values Station- Recruits sit inside a hut and receive
information on a particular core value from their drill instructor.
Event 5 – Enhanced Confidence Course- Teams have two hours to
complete five events of a modified Confidence Course.
(a) The Sky Scraper- The team retrieves a “wounded” dummy from
the top of an 18-foot tower.
Stairway to Heaven- Team members move two ammunition cans
over the top of a 36-foot ladder obstacle.
Two-Line Bridge- Team 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 resupply cans.
The Weaver- Team members climb over and under 24 logs, 42
feet in length ascending to 14 feet as they carry ammunition and
water resupply 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 – Cpl. Day’s Defense (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 (1900-0000)- Night Infiltration Course- Teams
resupply 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 (2300-0300)
Day Three
Reveille (0300)
Nine-mile hike (0400-0745)- Recruits conduct a nine-mile hike
from the Crucible site back to the battalion.
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.
Posted: June 29th, 2006 under News.
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