Crucible
A 54-hour training event in which Marine recruits are physically and mentally challenged by lack of sleep, minimal food, forced marches, teamwork exercises and leadership opportunities. It is the final major training event of boot camp and is designed to pull together everything they have been taught previously and survive a real challenge. Parents of recruits or potential recruits should be told that while it will be difficult for their child, it is safe and well supervised. It culminates in the Warrior Breakfast and signals a change in their drill instructors from task masters to mentors.