The Toughest Obstacles Marines Face In The “Confidence Course” | Boot Camp

We got an inside look at how United States Marine Corps recruits train on a challenging "confidence course" during boot camp. Senior video correspondent Graham Flanagan spent five days in 2019 at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina, where he observed recruits at various stages of boot camp. This aspect of training inside Leatherneck Square involves intimidating obstacles like the "Stairway to Heaven," "Tough One," and "Slide for Life" to physically and mentally test the recruits. Their first taste of the course is on the 12th day of boot camp, and they get a second chance during week nine or 10.
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Why Marines Train On A Confidence Course In Boot Camp | Boot Camp

[@SomeKidFromBritain]

My god those instructors have ruined their voices....

[@user-wn7pz7up4s]

@Stan Smith Whenever they can though

[@Anvarynn]

It'll heal.

[@SomeKidFromBritain]

@@Anvarynn it will scar....

[@Anvarynn]

@@SomeKidFromBritain It still heals, trust I blew out my voice in boot, plus I have friends that were DI's, their voices came back.

[@ogre4375]

SomeKidFromBritain it comes back, they sound normal after a couple hours it’s just under hard screaming

[@spencermanning3675]

Just finished up boot camp two months ago and MCT last month. My buddy was on the slide for life with me and during the point that we have to switch positions he hits his nuts on the rope and screams “OH MY BALLS”, my SDI is at the end of the rope and he screams “MY?” My buddy replies “AYE SIR, THIS RECRUITS BALLS”, one of the best moments of basic training

[@biggerro8356]

😂😂

[@josuejuarez9667]

😂😂

[@schooloser99]

😂😂

[@lilfish1640]

😂😂

[@saucegodgaming9619]

😂😂

[@kilroystories5146]

Insider really just clowned them at the slide for life lol

[@toxin1882]

Was about to say. They put instrumental music over their fall XD

[@subverter1.188]

and American Police Academy

[@Acidburn3141]

Honestly that shit is just so disrespectful

[@StevenTheAristolianNerd]

@@Acidburn3141 If you can't take a little joking around then you shouldn't be researching the military.

[@Acidburn3141]

@@StevenTheAristolianNerd if you thought this was a joke you CERTAINLY should NOT be researching military 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@tinogutierrez9910]

I did the stairway to heaven with such ease then I did the slide for life and ate complete shit

[@joshwagner5992]

Same bro

[@tristen4142]

Ay Gutierrez are you an AAV Crewman?

[@DiBaozi]

5:07 that doesn't look too hard 5:50 Ohhhhh 😮

[@Almost_Baked]

It was cold as hell when I was there, no way I was dropping in that water on the slide for life

[@Daniel-js2dk]

@@DiBaozi What makes it even worse is that the drill instructors shake the ropes while you’re doing it

[@HawaiianTROOPAH]

Went to ITB with the guy at 2:22 . Best guy I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I saw him after watching the video on Boot Leave then I saw him again in my Infantry Training platoon. I looked at him and was like "Are you the-" before I could finish he snapped to attention and screamed "MAY THIS RECRUIT HAVE ONE MORE TRY SIR!" Whole platoon looked at him and everything went click. He got called celebrity and P*ssy Slayer The whole time and never whined about anything

[@animepotato1028]

lol 😂

[@LJLMETAL]

I have never heard any recruit say that they feel more confident after they have completed the Confidence Course. Myself included. They were just glad that it was over.

[@bomcstoots1]

Right

[@deFINExGaming1]

I 100% felt more confident

[@BrooklynMBE]

You know The documentary is fire when this narrator narrate Oh my God my comment reached 416 likes thanks yall 😭😊

[@randyackles4461]

Meggie support david

[@Pink_Guy401]

im your 400th like

[@alexlikepie]

I’m your 417th lol

[@lauritorni4879]

I’m your secret lover

[@BrooklynMBE]

@JACOB GOODNIGHT it never happened to me bro chill why are you even cursing for.?

[@perdidoenbolivia134]

Stairway to heaven isn't bad just don't look down.....

[@user-xi3fp7je8s]

it looks really scary and risky when i enlist i fear that, i also fear the part where u dive into the water cuz i dont really know how to swim

[@imperialofficer6185]

@@user-xi3fp7je8s You can't be a marine if you can't swim, learn soon

[@carterochristie]

San diego's stairway to heaven is way taller. Bigger gaps too.

[@powerperson8516]

The camera POV makes it look easy

[@zyzzsdisciples6707]

I'm deathly afraid of heights and still feel like I could do these

[@DougCaldwell]

Sand fleas, sweat and the confidence course in the summer of '65. Brings back memories. A few new obstacles have been added since my day. Good for them.

[@zacharylaprete1940]

Take it from someone who's done this, you might do maybe 5 of the obstacles before the time runs out.

[@YesYui]

Facts

[@scottorris3668]

I would disagree, this video is my platoon and company. Atleast we got through them all

[@coalymoley8396]

@@scottorris3668 that’s because the cameras were there. If you were in a normal cycle this would’ve gone exactly like the dude above said.

[@bennirwin8598]

Scott Orris Happy Hotel? Did y'all have fun with Uncle Jerry?

[@flanagamer]

Yeah we started at like 0900 definitely not as early as this company 😂

[@campionedi1764]

This is what physical education in school should be.

[@xander7425]

NO NO NO

[@biggerro8356]

@@xander7425 why so you can just walk the track and eat hot cheetos?

[@xander7425]

Yea, im the type ofperson who is very lazy

[@veerchatlani762]

🤣

[@biggerro8356]

@@xander7425 bruh come on pe isn’t that hard 😭

[@unknowncreature-0069]

As someone who started gymnastics at 16, climbing a rope using nothing but your hands and feet to climb a rope is HARD. Doing it with shoes is EVEN HARDER.

[@snipehypes3030]

Nah not really when I did it it wasn’t bad at all

[@HanaDubs]

You can use your feet to wrap it around your boots to help

[@dilaisy_loone2846]

Is not that bad if you have enough strength to lift your body.

[@AlexOxygen]

I disagree. Maybe a contributor to the facility is being male? Without any training I was able to climb ropes no problem, maybe it's just a technique issue or maybe the distribution of body weight.

[@alexbonilla6735]

I leave for Quarantine Monday , then if I’m Corona Free, I go to Parris Island 🙂

[@user-uc6xi5vf4n]

good luck their bro

[@Wild_D]

Drink water

[@kyle2279]

Have fun I was there summer of ‘19

[@JustAnotherQuantumWaveFunction]

Good luck! My son graduated 3rd Battalion Lima Co on Sept 25th. He's currently at SOI, ITB at Geiger. His entire platoon had COVID including DIs. They still managed to get through it. You can too!!!

[@garfoon.]

Volunteer for everything, drink water, move fast, drink water, have fun, and drink water.

[@TheDogondone]

For me, the confidence course was one of the easier parts of boot camp. Running, the Quarterdeck, and the Sandpit are much more frequent and more difficult to deal with in my personal opinion.

[@Bobbylee1963]

No shit!

[@JTMondal]

facts

[@xisotopex]

actually the toughest obstacle is learning to control your mind. everything is "easy" after that.

[@nickc7494]

Marine Corp 1990 1st Battalion 1097 30 years later still in shape physically and mentally. Best decision ever made at 17 years old

[@donlouthe1st118]

2019 1st Battalion Charlie CO Plt 1097

[@riceflatpicking4954]

1990 2nd Battalion 2098

[@proudpatriot1703]

I was there in the summer of 91 1st Battalion platoon 1078. I was 20, and it was the best decision I ever made. Doesn't seem that long ago. Semper FI

[@copester1204]

My favorite part of boot camp. I absolutely loved the days we got to run the O Course. Like a giant playground.

[@marinesyahoo]

When I was there I found the course pretty average difficulty. Honestly I was surprised to see some of the guys in my platoon who I thought were in great shape struggling with it. I will say it was one of the few fun things you get to do at boot camp.

[@rainbownugget4044]

Fully agree, just strength wise, I didn’t think people would struggle so much, I had rope burn from doing the oak course a week back and my fingers were all bandaged, and I still did everything despite them falling off and my fingers being on fire and bleeding

[@xisotopex]

the hardest part of basic training was staying awake during classes, pooping, and trying not to laugh.

[@whereswati5945]

Asking dad for a chocolate bar at the grocery store checkout line after he already told you three times not to ask for anything be like 0:19

[@lw8770]

Lmao yeah

[@svleep7507]

me after closing the lights at night and running up the stairs: 0:01

[@elliotmarks06]

0:47 Is that a person or a robot??? Sounds exactly like a bad TTS engine...

[@isaacton1682]

Ikr

[@skyejamss]

Maybe she was trained to talk like that

[@heirofwesteros]

Actually android soldiers pog

[@damienirvin777]

That's what happens after multiple cycles as a drill instructor. Takes years for your voice to heal after it too is 😂

[@dragoncum67]

That was my kill hat

[@calvinsimpson1301]

It's honestly one of the easiest things in boot camp. The slide for life was the only mildly challenging obstacle, and most people completed it

[@deFINExGaming1]

Watching these videos brings tears to my eyes sometimes man, I miss these days. I took them for granted in real time, wish I woulda understood more back then…

[@deniseguadalupetapia4]

I’m leaving for mcrd on Monday! I can’t wait to try out the confidence course!

[@lumapas]

Good luck😘

[@clubzeferino4801]

How’d it go?

[@Elogia_lol]

We want to know how it goes

[@Elogia_lol]

We want to know how it goes

[@itscobyyyy]

how’d it go?

[@AlienSensei]

Yo man.. playing Blue Danube when recruits drop into the water is just plain dirty lol.

[@FortunePathVenerable]

Their vocal cords are working more than any muscle

[@tonybutts3874]

Life is a obstacle course, the world is my gym and everything is a weapon, arrah

[@JC-123]

The confidence course was always my favorite thing in Bootcamp.

[@sirethanthegreat4069]

6:24 The music with the scene tho. XD XD XD

[@specterx2135]

Yeah I cracked up

[@davudlastname2545]

damn, some of these drill sergeants sound like their throats have been through hell

[@PapaHardStank]

Instructor

[@yendorttiker5529]

We went over the top of the stairway to heaven when I was in 1987. I was in third Battalion and we went to that course all the time. There was no safety net on the slide for life back then.

[@EScott-zx2gs]

By far the toughest obstacle on the course is the 3 pounds of mush between the ears. None of the obstacles are an extreme physical or technical challenge but they can quickly become a huge mental challenge if you allow it to get in your head.

[@VictorHernandez-ox5dc]

@2:25 the intensity on that instructors face😂

[@flanagamer]

‘Tough One’ is definitely one of the easier obstacles imo. 🤷🏻‍♂️ The hardest part is the rope climb but it’s not bad at all.

[@ax3312]

Ten years removed from recruit training and I’m still proud to say I smoked that confidence course.

[@ElmeroLeon1]

I cry first time my daughter call me and I hear the instructors screaming at her like that.

[@franklinlane1357]

2:27 I guess Caillou grew up to be an instructor

[@Vindico0711]

🤣

[@lydia_jaay]

😭👀🤣🤣

[@Sora-Mi]

My DI really loves messing with me, the slide for life, after I fell off the 1st time, near the 3/4 point, I was told to go to the front of the line and tried 3 more times, they were all failures

[@coldwarsarge7592]

Thank you for producing these awesome videos!

[@gavinterminie9146]

I graduated boot camp at San Diego on Oct 16 and just graduated MCT last Friday. During the training, seconds seem like hours, but now that I finished it all seemed like a blur. But it was an experience that changed me forever

[@johnfloyd1866]

🥾

[@gavinterminie9146]

@@johnfloyd1866 bro that was like 2 years ago Lmao chill

[@johnfloyd1866]

@@gavinterminie9146 ok 🥾

[@malacki6554]

I just realised it’s call the Stairway to Heaven because if you fall…

[@Dotson6996]

When I was in high school MCJROTC, we went to JBLM and did their confindance. When we did the slide of life, one cadet, got about 3/4 of the way down and as he went past the cargo nets edge, he fell. It was about 8 feet but, he hit the net funny and landed on his head. Dude got light duty for rest of the exercise.

[@Dutch_has_a_plan1899]

1:52 Damn Caillou was so fed up with being grounded he joined the marine corps as a drill instructor

[@labyebmor5068]

Marine: This shit just got higher. Drill Instructor: so you chose death?

[@mukahirwajanet6617]

Seriously these guys go through alot love you so much 😊😊😊

[@rjeption]

The music at the end was so uncalled for 😭😭

[@simikhuzwayo]

Why are the instructers voices so ashy?

[@Dan-pi6dx]

Cold weather and constant screaming

[@thatmanstumototours2270]

Much of what they say and how they say it is highly practiced and used to great effect. It can be startling the first time you hear their “normal” voice...

[@user-wn7pz7up4s]

They also just finished going through DI school right before meeting their recruits. They have to yell and scream like hell to the point they mess up their voice, in order to become DI, graduates, and scream again

[@darinmorris8600]

This is still relatively early in Boot Camp. Phase 1 when most of the screaming and games are played.

[@thatdamngood_9636]

Frost I see you trying to help but nah that’s not correct 😂

[@mikeconners4329]

This was one of the funnest things we've done in basic

[@Dog.soldier1950]

More or less what I did almost 50 years It’s all in your head. Semper Fidelis

[@randolphwh9551]

I think was supposed to swing back n fourth probably involve smarts

[@BCCostaRica]

at 53 years old I bet I could make it through that course and would love the opportunity to show the Marines that I still have what it takes...

[@leilamorales2997]

marines watching this, are you allowed to swing to gain momentum before swinging your feet back up to the rope on the slide for life? that seems a lot more efficient

[@acctivflame8631]

I was thinking the same thing

[@XGhostReignX]

As long as we're able to wrap around the robe again, yes.

[@doglover136_]

loved when i got to the montage of the bicycle legs and dropping into the water

[@alyssaschultz6241]

I just graduated army BCT, half our confidence course was off limits due to covid. Nothing crazy, this seems more fun tbh

[@Grogu69725]

Your food taste better when your heals are together

[@alyssaschultz6241]

@@Grogu69725 or in the front leaning rest position

[@grungewolf1357]

I have the muscle strength down but I'm really afraid of heights... if this was all down on the ground I'd definitely give it a go

[@ProGamerKid2000]

You're gonna have to conquer that fear because you'll also be doing the rappel tower

[@HanaDubs]

Same

[@Emanemoston]

The obstacle course was fun but the confidence course was the best. Loved the hotel.

[@nelsonvelasquez4251]

The stair way to heaven was the hardest out of all of them for me, deathly afraid of heights

[@Mlggamer-iq9je]

I cant wait for the boot camp series to come back

[@Mlggamer-iq9je]

True

[@UberCoffeeTime]

Table two was the best part of bootcamp

[@xxcodyxx2093]

Leaving in February. Honestly can’t wait 😁

[@doodlebobsquarepants2134]

Ayy same, shipping out Feb 1 to San Diego. Going for Logistics MOS

[@this_is_not_leanne6299]

Dude same!

[@this_is_not_leanne6299]

I went for legal service or finance

[@xxcodyxx2093]

@@doodlebobsquarepants2134 Nice man, I'm going for Infantry; Parris Island.

[@doodlebobsquarepants2134]

@@xxcodyxx2093 been sworn in since like April 24 if I remember, so I've been training on my physical condition in these 8 months in the DEP. Maybe I can find a spot to ship out sooner

[@Ferdrew-rp5ey]

Great wkouts !! 🦾💥💪🇺🇸💯

[@andrewlevistermma]

0:51 “Mr. Grinch... why do you hate Christmas?”

[@hollywoodf0rzo]

Huh, I saw some of those recruits there. That’s awesome

[@koluqy]

3:07 "wait what" lmaooo

[@icybay]

The classical music of them dropping into the water 😂

[@thatmanstumototours2270]

I fell off the Slide for Life in 1982. The water wasn’t deep, but it was sure as hell wet...

[@mikael3415]

2:25 So much for never quit. Smh

[@sparklyqueen12]

Hey chance

[@BadMannerKorea]

The exhaustion is the only thing that would prevent me from doing some of those obstacles. On their own, they are pretty easy and I'd be up for the challenge and could complete them no problem.

[@tark1454]

This made me want to try this obstacle course, cool looking parkour.

[@riverwaters6770]

Right, design a replica and truly push yourself

[@tark1454]

@@riverwaters6770 I don’t think I have the facilities for that big man.

[@riverwaters6770]

@@tark1454 think bigger friend

[@bodidley5015]

Had a recruit fall off the rope on the tough one. They’re instructed to descend hand over hand. He decides to do it fast rope style by sliding down except he’s not wearing gloves. Burns his hands and let’s go of rope halfway down. Thud!

[@masonzummer8427]

Happy birthday Marines

[@richardg1426]

Me I was at Parris in Oct. 1971 till Jan. 1972 ! long time ago. Platoon 3002. Drill Instructors Styles, Lynch and Wynn. I'll never forget them.

[@user-mj3ty9nd9i]

This looks really fun and easy 😃😃😃

[@vigilanttaskhandler4524]

enlisting after the new year, training like everyday is my last til then

[@atomicscudd1581]

0:14 man just got in a world of crap 😂 I can understand the pain of him getting caught swearing because in MCROTC we get punished for sayin stuff like that

[@noahbailey542]

Tbh that just looks fun

[@xxkxx5925]

@TimE The Trooof yea okk

[@eltoroloco1936]

I fell in and almost drowned, my DI saved me, he told me to "Stand up!" :)

[@JimKoonz]

The way to do the slide for life is above the cable!

[@snowdroppz309]

Watching this makes me feel good that I have a rock climbing gym membership most of the stuff they do I have been acquainted with I looked forward to when it’s my turn in MCRD San Diego

[@gabrielmartinez8650]

This shit was easy and the most fun part of training

[@Justin-ym5ce]

The most self explanatory obstacle course on the planet

[@reptilianexotics9921]

Looks so fun

[@donmcc6573]

The Confidence Course was a piece of cake.

[@Bobbylee1963]

MCRD Plt. 2038 1982 and I can still do it! Semper fi Marines!

[@royallobster7899]

The start of this video sounds like the “why are you running” meme 😂

[@michelleguerrero8731]

They wrong for that classical music💀

[@captiveamerica669]

I'm a former Marine I broke my right fibula 3 weeks ago! I'm walking on it now, the V.A. hospital took x-rays yesterday! It's definitely broken, we are Marines we walk on broken bones, hooyaaahhhh, 1st Faad, 1st Recon. Change my mind! 🤣

[@7983usmc]

1979 3rd battalion MCRD. The obstacle course was great.

[@thepatriot3018]

This just makes me what to join more

[@raffieb762]

Memories!

[@toddschetter5270]

That was the fun part.

[@irockz281982]

I remember going through boot back in 2001.

[@allisongrieser6131]

All of the drill instructors sound like their throats were torn out and put back in

[@JesusChrist-wh2gd]

Leaving November 9 for quarantine in Georgia, then Paris island. Let’s earn that title baby

[@nassem._.]

leaving in august hopefully

[@ramtron1775]

That thing is scarry af. Especially the repel drop.

[@zdareth-96]

6:34 i- i died at that part

[@brendonmurphy7768]

My bestfriend david is at paris island right now

[@lilzumi284]

Rahhh I remember Paris island very well

[@brendonmurphy7768]

@@lilzumi284 I'm sure he is enjoying it lol I went to fort benning for my pt in the army

[@kratos6117]

I have a question I leave to boot camp in June... and I’ve never been too good at climbing ropes. What happens if you can’t ? I’ve heard that get kicked out and that they smoke you

[@ProGamerKid2000]

Ok so climbing a rope isnt a graduation requirement but its highly suggested that you practice it on your own. You will get blasted and ridiculed if you cant climb a rope. So it's in your best interest to go to a gym that has a rope

[@RC-cy8gb]

I’m dealthy afraid of heights so the stair way to heaven is terrifying I plan on enlisting this year but I feel like with everyone watching and di’s yelling at you pushing through is easy