 It's hard to say exactly what goes into making a marine, or a man for that matter, but whatever it is, there are two basic elements you always have to have. One is good material, and the other is the right environment. If the marine corps has come to be known for the caliber of man it turns out, it's largely because of the value the corps places on both of these requirements. It may not look like it, but the corps is very careful in selecting its recruits. And when it comes to training them, well, you can judge for yourself. For all marine recruits, processing begins right here. You're now at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. You're about to start your first day of processing. There are five days involved in processing. These five days do not count as part of your training. I'm now on, the first word out of your mouth is going to be sir. Unless you are asked a simple question that can be answered with a yes or a no, and then you will answer yes sir or no sir. While you are here, we will expect you to act as a man. You will be treated as a man. Now on, you will do things to the best of your ability, and you will move as fast as possible. Almost as much a trademark of the Marines as the way they carry themselves and walk is their distinctive hairstyle. It takes some time for recruits to develop the other characteristics, but they can get the haircut in just a few minutes, which is just one of the many practical advantages of this kind of haircut. The haircutting begins the processing, and in a way it's rather fitting because it graphically marks the kind of radical transformation the recruits can expect in other areas. As the processing continues, the recruits get the initial issue of clothing they'll wear during training. The first scrub down in the Corps is the first of countless showers and wash-ups of all kinds they'll undergo in the Marines. The Corps has always been zealous about cleanliness, and upholding the military tradition of neatness and bearing. No matter what you're wearing. The Corps is also very demanding about physical condition, and so examinations are an important part of the initial processing. All of these men were carefully examined before they were accepted as Marine recruits, but the Corps just wants to be sure there's nothing wrong with them now. Those that need glasses will get them. If any bad teas are found, they'll be taken care of while a recruit undergoes training. The Corps also wants to know just what its recruits are capable of, and so they're given a series of tests. Those with some special skills will get more tests. The PT or physical training tests are designed to be equally revealing about the physical condition of the recruits. Those that require it will get extra training and attention. To ensure they meet the requirements set for all recruits. The last day of processing the recruits receive their rifles and other tools of their trade which they'll learn to use during training. Processing ends with the arrival of the drill instructors, or DI's, who will lead them through training. For the recruits, this is probably the most important event of the processing. It brings them together with the men who are going to be personally responsible for their training. During the training, the recruits in each platoon will spend some 16 hours each day under the sharp watchful eyes of their drill instructor. Over the years, these drill instructors have become almost as much of a legend in the corps as its heroes, and rightly so, because they've had a hand in shaping most of them. But like all legends, they've been transformed and exaggerated into something that they aren't. And as a result, they're frequently judged on the basis of what people have heard they are, rather than what the recruits actually know they are. In any case, it's hard to exaggerate the importance of the DI's, and the corps is very much aware of the role they play in making Marines. For this reason, it carefully selects them. Do you feel that you have anything medically wrong with you that would disqualify you for this type of duty? No, sir. Steps on green, you realize that this is a very challenging job and a very demanding job. It'll probably mean that you'll have to spend approximately 80 hours a week at work, and probably have to be away from home every third night standing the duty. Do you want to be a drill instructor? Yes, sir. I would like to be a DI. Then Justice carefully trains them at its drill instructor's school. What? Period of instruction, we're going to be covering the daily seven exercise. You, as drill instructors, must know the daily seven exercise in order to teach your recruits. The daily seven exercise is nothing more than a warm-up exercise. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Please take a seat. Yes, sir. Just out of drill instructor. When they do become drill instructors, they work under the supervision of a series commander who is responsible for all the platoons in a particular series. Thus, whatever he may be, every DI is carefully selected, carefully trained, experienced, and under constant supervision. Well, here in Locke's starting crews, we're just picking the series up on a receiving and we'll be able to get with them all the way through, and they'll be a very rewarding experience. It's a much better starting with them, so I'll be seeing you on the drill field. Come here, buttons on the button. Answer him. Can't hear you. How about getting your weapons fired away? And if he seems brusque and impatient, it's because he has a tough job and not much time to do it. Recruit training actually begins with the DI taking over and telling their platoons exactly what will be expected of them. The first place they run up against these demands is on the drill field. They get more of the same in physical training, where they begin with the basic exercises, and it continues in their classes. This part here located in gray in color is known as... There are also practical applications such as guard duty. Sir, right here, report to post number four, all secure. Post and orders mean the same, nothing unusual to report. Sir, report to post number five. Training in close combat, so hand-to-hand combat is constantly tired and aching these first days of training. Still, the exercises get progressively harder, but they keep at it, and for most of them it pays off. For some, however, it's too much. As soon as the DI spot individuals who are having trouble, they usually work out a program of their own to give them special help. However, when a private's inability to progress hinders progress of the platoon and other recruits, he is assigned to the special training branch. That's just a small part of the contract that each and every one of you people sign when you come into Marine Corps. That's part of the reason why you're here in motivation. Here the recruits work and live with others who have the same problems and special programs are set up to help them meet the training requirements. Some may require additional motivation. Others need help in physical conditioning. Some have medical problems which keep them from participating in the activities of a normal training platoon. For those who find it difficult to obey the rules, there's correctional custody. By the time the final days of the first phase of training roll around, everyone is beginning to feel that they're a part of a team. By now, the soreness and stiffness have begun to disappear. So have confusion and uncertainty. All right, sir. Most recruits manage to find the strength and energy for sports and for competition with the other recruits in training. Drownproofing is a vital part of recruit training. With every man required to swim at least 75 meters, fully clothed and carrying a rifle. By the time they've completed the first phase of training the recruits are considered ready to be introduced to another old tradition of military life. Mess and maintenance duty. The recruits have a week of mess and maintenance during their training. They spend the next two weeks at the rifle range. First, learning how to use their rifles. Weapon into your shoulder, rotating up, keeping the right elbow up high, straight up, bring the elbow well underneath the piece, aiming in, getting a good natural point of aim, squeezing the trigger straight to the rear. Then we're practicing to develop skill. This is one of many opportunities the recruits will have to qualify with their rifle. Fire for score, once a year. Also included in second phase is an introduction to combat training. Here the recruits are trained in basic skills they'll need in the field. They learn how to use a compass. Now then, what we're going to learn today is how to shoot an asthma. Before we can do this, we might not have enough points. Such as the point, if you look to your rear, where the radar, little radar is set up on the hill. Here they have a chance to actually work with mines and demolition charges. The recruits also learn to use grenades properly. Prepare to throw. Infiltration training. Combat training introduces the recruits to the kind of food and living conditions they'll encounter in the field. Practically all training is in the form of exercise. With the recruits actually doing what they're learning, of the training activities take place at night. Tracer displays show the various kinds of coverage produced by different fire patterns. The men return to the recruit depot for the third and final phase of their training. This is a spit and polish period and everyone is very much aware that there are only a few weeks of training left. With the recruits expectantly looking forward to the end of their arduous and demanding schedule. And the drill instructor struggling to smooth out the rough edges in time for graduation. In the meantime everyone continues to drill. The physical training is harder than ever. Still everybody does it. Their schedule is tougher than ever but now they can handle it without straining. For those who display a potential as leaders there is a special program to develop it and make them aware of the challenges and rewards as well as the responsibilities of leadership. Almost before anybody can believe it, graduation day arrives. As far as the recruits are concerned there are really no special preparations. Their barracks are always spotless. Branks and uniforms display the same daily meticulous care. What family and friends of the recruits see here today is no special show but actually the same conditions they could see any day. The big difference of course is in the recruits themselves. For parents and relatives it's well worth the long trip many of them have made to be here. It's a proud and happy day for families and friends. The recruits pride and feeling of accomplishment seems to be contagious. Even the seasoned old mentors who have gone through this many times before feel it and some of those tough stone-faced characters will even sheepishly admit that they feel a great sense of loss every time graduation day comes around. It's an especially proud day for the recruits who receive awards and there are many ranging from the most outstanding recruit to those who have excelled in the different areas of training. But whether or not they received a special award all the recruits have a feeling of achievement. They've earned the right to be called Marines. It takes good men to get through the Marine Recruit Training Program and everybody knows it. There are two facts you can't get away from. It's that the core obviously started with some pretty good men. And it's equally obvious that it did a pretty good job of training them. The whole thing is nicely summed up in the words of one mother who wrote, We sent you a boy and you sent back a man. She could also have said, you sent back a Marine.