San Diego | Week 6

Testing Week Week
“End of Phase 2

Week Six kicks off with the culmination of Phase 2 at MCRDSD! Get ready for a week dedicated to pushing your Recruit’s limits through intense physical fitness challenges and rigorous academic testing. These intense exercises and assessments will not only showcase their dedication and resilience but also serve as a crucial evaluation of their progress throughout this demanding phase of boot camp. Prepare to celebrate their accomplishments and acknowledge the incredible strength and knowledge they’ve acquired as they head towards the next chapter of their journey.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

As week five begins, your Recruit will take on the Physical Fitness Test (PFT)—a key assessment used across the Marine Corps to measure overall physical readiness. This test is an important indicator of a Recruit’s strength, endurance, and determination, and it sets the standard for fitness throughout their Marine Corps career.

The PFT consists of three events:

Pull-ups or push-ups, measuring upper-body strength

A 3-mile run, testing cardiovascular endurance and stamina

Planks, assessing core strength and stability

Successfully completing the PFT shows that your Recruit is physically prepared for the demands of training and capable of pushing through fatigue and pressure. It’s not just about athletic ability—it reflects discipline, mental toughness, and the commitment required to succeed as a Marine.

Each time Recruits face the PFT, they see tangible proof of their progress and growth. It’s another milestone that reinforces confidence and brings them one step closer to earning the title United States Marine.

Get Some Take A Stance!

This week intensifies with the Bayonet Assault Course, pushing your Recruit to navigate a challenging obstacle course while employing their bayonets. Additionally, they’ll engage in pugil stick sparring once more, a simulated close-quarter combat course designed to replicate the sights, sounds, and chaos of real-world scenarios. Both exercises expose them to the stressful environment of combat, building confidence in their ability to react and utilize their weapons effectively while simultaneously fostering mental and physical resilience.

Evaluations and MCMAP Test

The middle of week six intensifies the pressure with a series of rigorous evaluations, starting with a comprehensive written exam. This test assesses your Recruit’s mastery of Marine Corps values, customs, military knowledge, and procedures learned so far. It’s a significant checkpoint, but we’re confident your recruit is ready to succeed!

Another key event this week is the MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) test, which is essential for graduation. The MCMAP test evaluates both combat techniques and mental readiness, emphasizing skills like strikes, grappling, and submissions, along with the ethical warrior mindset that underpins Marine martial arts. Recruits must demonstrate proficiency in these techniques to earn their first belt in the MCMAP system, a crucial part of their training and personal development.

Next is the Series Commander’s Inspection, a meticulous evaluation of each Recruit’s discipline, appearance, and knowledge. This inspection ensures they are on track to meet the high standards required for graduation. With these critical milestones behind them, Recruits move one step closer to earning the title of United States Marine.

Drill Time

As week six draws to a close, your Recruit will complete Phase II with Final Drill—a defining moment in training often compared to the Super Bowl for both Recruits and drill instructors. This event is the final evaluation of the platoon’s mastery of close order drill. Drill instructors are assessed on their command presence and precision, while Recruits are evaluated on their ability to execute movements with discipline, timing, and unity. Final Drill reinforces instant obedience to orders and the cohesion required to operate as a single, effective team.

Following this milestone, Recruits will board buses and move north to Edson Range to begin training with Weapons Field Training Battalion (WFTBN). Although the training location changes, the way mail is sent and delivered will remain the same, and your letters will continue to be forwarded to your recruit at their new training area.

See you next week for insight and stories on GRASS WEEK and Firing Week. You do not want to miss this!

I’m SgtMaj Paul Davis (USMC Ret), and I can’t wait to share more with you about this incredible journey.

Semper Fidelis