As they embark ...

Good Luck to Second Batallion Echo Co and Fourth Batallion Oscar Co as they embark on the Crucible. Crucible started this morning at 2:00 am EST.... This is the official USMC headquarters definition: The culmination of recruit training is the “Crucible,” an intense field training exercise designed to build unit cohesion, reinforce core values, and complete the transformation from recruit to Marine. The “Crucible” is the defining moment of the recruit training experience. As a right of passage, the 45 Concepts and Issues “Crucible” is a 54-hour ordeal that tests the mettle of every recruit (and DI). The physical and mental challenges are intensified by sleep and food deprivation. The “Crucible” focuses on six major field events and is augmented by eleven challenging “Warrior Stations.” Throughout this rapid paced exercise, emphasis is placed on the importance of teamwork in overcoming adversity and adaptive problem solving. The teams of recruits, under the leadership of their drill instructor, succeed as a team. The experience pushes recruits to their limits and is a poignant culmination to the transformation process. During this time they will be given 4 MRE's and about 8 hours of sleep total (about 4 each night). They will march about 40 miles total in humps and between different stations carrying their packs and rifles. They began this "test" at 2AM (EST) Thursday morning after getting up at 1AM to get ready. After this is complete on early Saturday morning the company of recruits, DIs , corpsman, and officers should complete the last of their march back to Battalion. This is an incredibly emotional time for them (yes even for the guys! ) They realize that really the rest of boot camp is just a walk in the park. They will be issued their emblems (EGA) by their drill instructors in a private and memorable ceremony an are now officially recognized as basically trained Marines for the first time. Then it is time for them to take part in the Warrior's Breakfast! Yummy, bacon, eggs, sausage, ham, grits, oatmeal, pancakes, steak, french toast, hashbrowns, fruit, milk, juice and even soda for the first time since arrival on island. OOH-RAH!