<P> United States Marine Corps Recruit Training (commonly known as "boot camp") is a 12 - week program of initial training that each recruit must successfully complete in order to serve in the United States Marine Corps . All enlisted individuals entering the Marine Corps, regardless of eventual active or reserve duty status, will undergo recruit training at one of the two Marine Corps Recruit Depots (MCRD): Parris Island, South Carolina, or San Diego, California . Male recruits from the 8th, 9th and 12th recruiting districts (areas west of the Mississippi River except Louisiana, and including parts of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan) are sent to MCRD San Diego . All recruits from the 1st, 4th and 6th recruiting districts and all female recruits are sent to Parris Island . Those desiring to become officers attend training at Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia . </P> <P> Marines generally hold that their recruit training is the most physically and mentally difficult amongst the Uniformed Services, citing that it is longer than the other branches, requires a more demanding Physical Fitness Test (PFT) that includes a run of 3 miles in less than 28 minutes, 50 or more crunches in 2 minutes, at least 3 pull - ups for males, and flexed arm hang for more than 30 seconds for females; this is to achieve the minimum score . For a maximum score, male recruits must complete the run in 18 minutes, perform 100 crunches in 2 minutes, and do 20 pull ups . All recruits must fit the strictest height and weight standards . </P>

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