PHASE 3

Phase Three is essentially the ‘polishing’ of the recruits, when their skills and knowledge are honed and tested.

Phase Three begins with Table 2 firing, where recruits learn to fire their rifle under more realistic combat conditions, such as unknown distances, at night, and wearing a gas mask.

During Basic Warrior Training (BWT), they learn the fundamentals of combat, they sleep in the field and eat MREs.  Skills taught include camouflage, low crawling, land navigation, basic squad tactics, rappelling, and other foundations of military skills.

After this week, recruits return to garrison for the final drill competition, take the final PFT, and take the final written test (which culminates all of their academic and classroom topics); each event has a trophy for the highest-scoring platoon. At this point, recruits will take their MCMAP test and earn their tan belt; those who fail are dropped. Recruits then prepare for the Crucible.

Firing the Table 2 course of fire, formerly called “Field Firing,” is a follow-on to the basics learned during their firing during Table 1, or the Known Distance (“KD”) course of fire.  Table 2 is a course of fire that takes the basics and applies them to the methods and techniques used in combat.  Recruits learn how to fire their service rifle while wearing their Kevlar helmet, body armor system Outer Tactical Vest, and personal load bearing equipment while using a 3-point tactical rifle sling.  They will practice shooting at a single target while in a stationary position, and then learn how to engage both multiple and moving targets.  They will then fire the Table 2 course of fire for score, and the combination of their Table 1 and Table 2 results will be used to determine their final marksmanship score and the resulting marksmanship badge.

During Day Movement exercises, recruits learn to stay together in simulated, tactical scenarios and ensure the safety of the Marines to their left and their right.