Marine Force Recon
19
Hiking with 50-pound (23 kg)
packs—and carrying addition-
al containers full of sand—is
all in a day’s training.
Unsurprisingly, becomingamemberoftheeliteForceRecon
is difficult. First, candidates must score at least a mark of 105 on the
Armed ServicesVocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. Theymust
also pass a stringent physical fitness test that includes sit-ups, pull-
ups, and a three-mile (4.8 km) run. A perfect score of 300 is achieved
by completing 100 sit-ups in 2 minutes, 20 pull-ups with a full stop
between each, and the run in 18 minutes. To pass, candidates need
to score at least 225. Potential Force ReconMarines must also be eli-
gible for a security clearance, have a stellar service record, and have at
least 18 months remaining in their term of service. In addition, they
must achieve an expert marksmanship rating during basic training.
The next step is the rigorous 48-hour recon screening. This
includes swimming 550 yards (500 m) in 13 minutes, a 27-yard (25
m) underwater swim, and a deep-water rifle retrieval followed
by a 55-yard (50 m) swim with the weapon held overhead. (A
concrete block may substitute for a weapon in the retrieval and
accompanying swim.) Other water tests require the trainee to
jump into water from a height of 25 feet (7.6 m) while wearing
combat gear and then tread water for half an hour. A battery
of physical tests follows immediately. Then candidates do mul-
tiple repetitions of an obstacle course. The amount of effort a
candidate puts forth is more important than the time it takes to
complete the course. The Marines also complete a lengthy, fast-
paced hike with a 50-pound (23 kg) sandbag in their
rucksacks
.
Those who can’t keep up are dropped from consideration. The
JOINING FORCE
RECON
