Surviving the Cut

Reconnaissance marines are the eyes and ears of the Marine Corps. The first men on the ground behind enemy lines, they gather intelligence and carry out missions that support the entire Corps. Their motto says it all: Swift, Silent, Deadly. But to earn the name "Recon Marine", you must first survive the corps' famously grueling 12-week recon course. Marines are pushed to unconsciousness in the pool, and then wrestle their 90-pound packs into the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean. It's a man-breaking, all-out endurance test that forges top soldiers with unparalleled skills.