Physical Demands
The physical nature of life as a Marine is widely known. Recruits and Officer Candidates are trained intensely so that they will be ready for its challenges.
No matter what Marine Corps job interests your son or daughter, every Marine is first and foremost trained as, and responsible for being, a rifleman and a warrior. All recruits receive the same training—the legendary Marine Corps Recruit Training that earns them the title "Marine."
Only after completing Recruit Training will your son or daughter get the world-class technical and skill-based instruction of Marines MOS Training. This is the skill set he or she will rely on day to day.
New recruits should be physically ready before shipping to Recruit Training. In fact, to qualify for Recruit Training, they must meet our physical standards. The basic Recruit Training requirements include a test of running, pull-ups and crunches. A Marine Recruiter can tell you more about the physical qualifications for Recruit Training and help your son or daughter prepare.
If your son or daughter doesn’t have a current physical fitness regimen, a recruiter can recommend one and help him or her begin it. Many Marine Recruiters hold group workouts that help future recruits step up their workout routine while building camaraderie with other poolees—the official term for those who have committed to becoming Marines but have not yet shipped to Recruit Training.
You can encourage healthy changes to eating habits and physical routine. Shifting to a balanced diet with limited sugar, caffeine and fat now will help your son or daughter adjust to the food at Recruit Training. A healthy level of physical activity every day will also help prepare him or her for intense physical activity during training.
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Talking to Your Son or Daughter about Becoming a Marine
Talking to Your Student about Becoming a Marine
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Family
im 15 years old i would like to know some good things to do to prepare for the marine corps i would also like to contact a recruiter
Posted by: dylan satter on 02/06/2012
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Supporter
Hi I am 14 years old and iv been working out to get ready for the Marines but I have a major question I have Asthma can I still enlist in the Marines if I have Asthma and also is it illegal to contact a recruiter about these Questions?
Posted by: Seth Snipes on 02/03/2012
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Other
Hi I'm 15 years old and I've been thinking about joining the marines for a long time now and I wanted to know I have a thyroid problem and I have to take medicine every morning would I still be able to join the marines?
Posted by: Chris Gauris on 12/19/2011
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COMMUNITY MANAGER
Hi Chris, as medical conditions vary from one person to another, Marine Corps recruiters are the best resource for information about specific health requirements. Get in touch with one at http://bit.ly/feSd3y.
Posted by: Community Manager on 12/20/2011
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Other
Hi im 15 years old and im planning on joining the marines when I'm 20 years old. I wanted to know if i could e-mail a recruiter fo ask him questions about the marine corps
Posted by: Chris Gauris on 12/18/2011
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Family
Hi I am 17 years old i have been talking to my recruiter, but i was curios, what if i can almost double the crunches, push ups, and pull ups, but i do not think i can run three miles in 18 minutes. So i am curios about how much that will affect my score?
Posted by: Christopher lowe on 11/17/2011
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COMMUNITY MANAGER
Hi Christopher, to prepare for the physical demands of Marine Corps Recruit Training, you should know that a perfect score of 300 for a male on the Marine Corps' Physical Fitness Test (PFT) consists of 20 pull-ups, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and a 3-mile run in 18 minutes or less. However, the minimum passing score is 135. A perfect score of 300 for a female consists of a 70-second flexed arm hang, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and a 3-mile run in 21 minutes or less. A Marine Corps Recruiter is the best person to ask about specific enlistment requirements, and he or she may be able to help you develop a plan to ensure that you meet those requirements. Contact a recruiter at http://bit.ly/gm06Z4. -LifeAsAMarine Community Manager
Posted by: Community Manager on 11/18/2011
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33
Family
hello im 16 and ive been thinking about joining the marines for sometime now but im overweight im about 6ft tall and about 230 pounds any suggestions or diet plans?
Posted by: Zach Howe on 10/26/2011
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COMMUNITY MANAGER
Hi Zach, welcome to LifeAsAMarine.com! To prepare for the physical demands of Marine Corps Recruit Training, you should know that a perfect score of 300 for a male on the Marine Corps' Physical Fitness Test (PFT) consists of 20 pull-ups, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and a 3-mile run in 18 minutes or less. However, the minimum passing score is 135. A perfect score of 300 for a female consists of a 70-second flexed arm hang, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and a 3-mile run in 21 minutes or less. A Marine Corps Recruiter is the best person to ask about specific enlistment requirements, and he or she may be able to help you develop a plan to ensure that you meet those requirements. Contact a recruiter at http://bit.ly/gm06Z4. />
-LifeAsAMarine Community Manager
Posted by: Community Manager on 10/27/2011
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32
Supporter
I'm 15 I have always wanted to be a marine. I have some serious health concerns with my feet. I have had my left foot completely rebuilt and my right one was done 2 months ago. Am I able to join? My parents both think I will be unable to complete the physical training. I am in shape and still getting stronger.
Posted by: Bryce Wegner on 08/28/2011
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Other
hi, I have a question, I hope you can answer me. If I'm Mexican, but I really want be a part of the marine corps, I have information for your web page, and I'm training physical and mentally because I know some part of the initial training, and I really want to join to the marine corps. can I be part of the marine corps if I'm Mexican? I really be a marine, really. I'll wait your answer
Posted by: emmanuel medina on 08/08/2011
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Mother
My son recently graduated from high school. He was working with a recruiter through 11th & 12th grade. His recruiter has not been in contact with him since he received his asphab scores. He passed the test but was interested in retaking it to improve his score. I'm concerned that his recruiter has either been deployed or has retired. We have been to the office several times and have also called a few times. What should we do next?
Posted by: Alecia Strawser on 07/24/2011
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Supporter
I will soon be 15. I want to join the Marines so I'm training even now. I know it will be hard but I want to serve my home.
Posted by: Tessa Ryan on 07/02/2011
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71
Other
I'm 25 yrs and living in the Caribbean. I was always interested in joining the marines and I know that i can meet the demands that is required. Can anyone advise me on the best steps to take to start.
Posted by: Ydms Smith on 05/08/2011
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Mother
I am hoping someone may be able to answer some questions. My son has just called and informed me that he will be returning home because he has just been diagnosed with asthma. I was totally unaware that he had asthma alhtough he had been treated for allergies. Is there anythig in the armed services that he would qualify for now??? Coast guard, maybe??? He was unable to complete basic training. I thought if there was a service branch that the training was not as rigorous as the Marines. He is very dissapointed and had no other goals but to be a Marine. Is there anyone I could contact to help him find a new path that would still be service oriented??? If anyone can help...I would surely appreciate it...
Thank-you...
A worried Mom!!!
Posted by: candace wolfe on 04/29/2011
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Mother
Hello Candace,
I'm just another mom has right now has a 17yr old poolee but wanted to offer you a suggestion. If it were my son and since I have a martial arts background, I would encourage my son to return to college, studay physical training and business management. Take his Marine training implement them into the Martial Arts field-- opening his own academy. Instill Marine values into martial arts students giving the basic tools to path them properly through life. Good luck and back to school it would be for mine for sure!
Posted by: Dee Carine-Calabrese on 08/23/2011
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Other
hi, i'm 25 yrs old and currently going to college (finishing in about 2 yrs). i dont meet any of the physical demands to become a marine at the moment but i will start gym training next week, my main problem is address and health issues.
health issues: kidney stones and back problems probably due to over weight (currently weight in 280 lbs).
address issues: i live in Venezuela but i am searching for info and doing everything in my power (legally speaking) to achieve the USMC requirements.
my question is besides lossing 100 lbs what can i do to achieve the physical demands of the USMC?
Posted by: andres gonzalez on 04/28/2011
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97
COMMUNITY MANAGER
To enlist or discuss opportunities in the United States Marine Corps, visit http://bit.ly/frOFiU or call 1-800-MARINES to contact a recruiter.
Posted by: Community Manager on 04/21/2011
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88
Other
I'm 14, Ill be 15 in October. I know i can meet all of the physical demands with almost no problem. How old do I have to be to apply for a GED. Being a Marine has been my dream since i was 4 years old. I can shoot a gun no problem. I've been working on my neighbors farm for years and have plenty of training with an AR-15. I can do more than a lot of 14-15 year olds. I want to be on of the few and proud as soon as possible before I'm 17. Is this possible? Can I enlist in a boot camp to further more prepare me for the Marines right now?
Thank you,
Jace Neal.
Posted by: Jace Neal` on 04/21/2011
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107
Other
I'm 17 and am still in the process of deciding if I should join the Marines of the Army, I'm quite out of shape and want to join the Marines but am very doubtful if I would pass the minimum fitness requirement. Is there some sort of PT program I could go to in order to get in shape?
Posted by: Donovan Bader on 04/19/2011
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103
COMMUNITY MANAGER
Donovan- />
To prepare for the physical demands of Marine Corps Recruit Training, you should know that a perfect score of 300 for a male on the Marine Corps' Physical Fitness Test (PFT) consists of 20 pull-ups, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and a 3-mile run in 18 minutes or less. However, the minimum passing score is 135. A perfect score of 300 for a female consists of a 70-second flexed arm hang, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and a 3-mile run in 21 minutes or less. A Marine Corps Recruiter is the best person to ask about specific enlistment requirements, and he or she may be able to help you develop a plan to ensure that you meet those requirements. Contact a recruiter at http://bit.ly/gm06Z4.
-LifeAsAMarine Community Manager
Posted by: Community Manager on 04/19/2011
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93
Other
Im 16 years old and I turn 17 on june 6th. when will I be able to talk to a recruiter about joining the marines?
Posted by: michael cooper on 03/22/2011
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118
COMMUNITY MANAGER
Michael,
To enlist or discuss opportunities in the United States Marine Corps, visit http://bit.ly/frOFiU or call 1-800-MARINES to contact a recruiter.
-LifeAsAMarine Community Manager
Posted by: Community Manager on 03/22/2011
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89
Mother
What all does the recruiter need to do to help their recruit/poolee get ready for boot camp? Should they be actively involved in their physical training before they ship out? What is the recommended physical fitness regimen for a recruit/poolee? I have lots of questions, I know, but would like to know what happens if the recruit/poolee can pass the training requirements but to the minimum of standards. How will that affect them in boot camp?
Posted by: Barbara Wing on 03/17/2011
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94
COMMUNITY MANAGER
Barbara, />
To prepare for the physical demands of Marine Corps Recruit Training, you should know that a perfect score of 300 for a male on the Marine Corps' Physical Fitness Test (PFT) consists of 20 pull-ups, 100 crunches in less than two minutes, and a 3-mile run in 18 minutes or less. However, the minimum passing score is 135. A Marine Corps Recruiter is the best person to ask about specific enlistment requirements, and he or she may be able to help you develop a plan to ensure that you meet those requirements. Contact a recruiter at http://bit.ly/gm06Z4.
-LifeAsAMarine Community Manager
Posted by: Community Manager on 03/22/2011
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106
Other
Do people often surpass minimum, or even intermediate physical requirements needed for the Recruit Training Requirements?
Posted by: Matthew Hancock on 10/31/2010
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259