Marine Corps basic training is the longest and most intensive of all the military branches. Consisting of 13 weeks and 12 training weeks, Marines leave boot camp “every Marine a rifleman.” Boot camp consists of three phases, each one with increasing physical training and mental discipline required. Not all recruits graduate boot camp in 13 weeks, however. Many recruits will fall ill or become injured and need recovery time in Physical Conditioning Platoon, or the “pork chop platoon.” Overweight recruits that do not pass the IST will also be sent to the PCP. Copyright 2013 Cerberus Press.