Marine Corps Knowledge
Becoming a Marine takes more than hard work, sweat, and rifle marksmanship. It means being educated on the history, customs and courtesies, rank structure, and operational guidelines of the Marine Corps.
Recruits begin by learning what’s in their “recruit knowledge” handbook, but learning about the Corps, and how to be a better Marine, is a career-long process.
Learn what it takes to become a United States Marine and begin memorizing recruit knowledge to get ahead of the game!
Recent Marine Corps Knowledge Articles

Marine Boot Camp Pay
A question we are often asked is, how much is Marine Boot Camp Pay? The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) pays Marine recruits as an E-1 with less than 4 months of service. Many will graduate boot camp as an E-2, but while training as

Marine Corps Obstacle Course | Conquer the Challenge
One of the first challenging events that recruits face in boot camp is the Marine Corps Obstacle Course, also called the O-Course, or the Tarzan Course. It looks difficult, at first, but there’s a technique to it. Your drill instructors will show you how to

How do I train for Marine boot camp?
How do you train for Marine boot camp? First, you’ll need to get your physical fitness in order. All Marine Corps recruits must pass an Initial Strength Test at their recruiter’s office and once they ship to boot camp before they are eligible to begin training.

Marine Corps Recruit Knowledge
During recruit training, future Marines will receive a small book known as “Marine Corps Recruit Knowledge”, or as your Drill Instructors will call it, your “knowledge.” This guidebook contains everything recruits will need to know and memorize during recruit training, but it is merely a basic guide.

MCRD Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an 8,000-acre base located next to Beaufort, South Carolina. Male Marine Corps recruits from West of the Mississippi River, as well as female Marines, are trained here. Men and women are separated during training. Marine Corps Recruit Depot

MCRD San Diego | The Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is located right next to San Diego Airport. It’s only ten minutes from downtown. The base’s main mission is to train enlisted male Marine recruits from west of the Mississippi. It also houses the Marine Corps Recruiter School and