What is the Training Matrix?

The Training Matrix is a handy dandy one page calendar which arranges Boot Camp into blocks that give a glimpse of what goes on each day.   It is a great tool to keep track of what is going on with your recruit during those 12 long weeks. Download your copy from the Official USMC site and read on for help deciphering some of the acronyms and abbreviations.

Sifting Through and Making Sense of it All

I know it looks like a foreign language, but all of the acronyms and abbreviations are needed to pack so much information into a standard sheet of paper. Let’s go through the chart together.  If you look at the whole page, (I recommend copying the .PDF to your hard drive so you can pull it up and enlarge the screen for each day), you will see the days of the week listed across the top and a number representing the training week listed down the left side.  On the right side the weeks are grouped into 3 phases.

Notice how the first week is not week 1 of training.  Look at the first block on the left and see the letters PR which stand for Processing.  The Training Matrix shows three processing days P1, P2 and P3.  During this time the recruits get their uniforms, gear, haircuts and a medical evaluation.  They also take an Initial Strength Test  (IST).  The F in F1 and F2 stands for Forming these are the days when recruits meet their Drill Instructors and form into platoons.

Next you’ll see T1 through T70; the T stands for Training.  Training Day 1 for example shows “Intro to USMC Values”.  Each Sunday is abbreviated with an S; there are eleven S days (S1 through S11).   CVGD stands for Core Value Guided Discussions.  L/F stands for Lead Series and Follow Series.

 

Phase One – 4 weeks

Weeks 1 through 3 are spent learning Marine Corps history, discipline, drill and hand to hand combat skills.  Acronyms for this phase include MCMAP, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, UCMJ which stands for the Unformed Code of Military Justice, Crt/Crs for Circuit Course, B&U are Boots and Utilities (also known as boots and uts), IFAK is Initial First Aid Kit, Cbt Cond stands for Combat Conditioning and NJP is Non-Judicial Punishment. PA stands for Practical Application.

Week 4 is spent learning water survival skills.  Acronyms for this week are: ORM – Operational Risk Management and Iron Ducks – people who cannot swim (yet).

 

 

 

 

Phase Two – 4 weeksWeek 5 – Challenges this week include an Initial written test, initial drill competition, repelling and using a gas mask.  PU Comp stands for Pull-Up Competition.  MCX stands for the Marine Corps Exchange.  A 3.0 I/E Run is a 3 mile Individual Effort Run.

Week 6 – Grass Week – The week before the rifle range is spent sitting in the grass while attending classes to learn how to maintain and  fire weapons.  During this week recruits dry fire their weapons.  Dry firing means to fire without bullets, prone means lying on ones stomach, and Crs  stands for course.

Week 7 – Firing Week – During this week recruits practice firing their weapons with live rounds with the goal of qualifying.

Week 8 – Team Week – Recruits continue training and can help with various duties throughout the base. Acronyms for this week include WFTBn  for Weapons and Field Training Battalion and Cam/Cvr/Concel which stands for camouflage/cover/conceal.

 

 

Phase Three – 4 weeks

Week 9 – Basic Warrior Training – Combat skills and survival skills are taught.  The acronym BWT stands for Basic Warrior Training and IED’s are Improvised Explosive Devices.

Week 10 – Recruits take practical application evaluations, a Combat Fitness Test (CFT), and complete the Confidence Course.

Week 11 – Recruits take a Physical Fitness Test (PFT), written exam and drill evaluation.  Then they undergo the Crucible.  If they successfully complete the Crucible they earn their Eagle Globe and Anchor (EGA).

Week 12 – The last week includes a final Inspection, recruits finish administrative tasks and graduation. SRB stands for Service Record Book.

 

Besides satisfying your curiosity how can the Training Matrix help you?  By keeping track of where your recruit is during each stage of training you will understand more about Marine Corps Boot Camp and what your recruit is going through as he/she makes his/her way toward becoming a Marine.   And with all of this information you’ll have plenty of questions to include in the letters you send!

In this blog post I answered the question what is the Training Matrix, how to read it and what many of the acronyms and abbreviations mean.  If you liked this post and want to see more, subscribe to my blog and don’t forget to download my free report, Parris Island Declassified.