VIDEO: The US Marines Crucible Challenge Full Length

The Crucible is the final challenge in the US Marines boot camp that recruits must complete in order to become a Marine. It is the culmination of 12 weeks of physical, marksmanship, firing range, and combat water survival training. The Crucible consists of drills and training with 60 lbs. of gear over 48 miles within 54 hours, given only two meals and six hours total of sleep. It’s a brutal mental and physical challenge that marks a young man’s transformation into a Marine.

As part of the Midwest Marines Educator Workshop in February, WGN Radio was given rare, unbridled access to the emotional Eagle, Globe and Anchor pinning ceremony atop the Reaper, the steep 700 ft-tall mountain that signifies the accomplishment of the Crucible.

READ MORE / WATCH VIDEO