A Marine Corps Drill Instructor puts a recruit through upper body exercises called planks during the 54-hour Crucible event at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, South Carolina.

Marine recruits march during a 6-mile hike at the beginning of the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island, South Carolina. Recruits will travel 48 miles over the 54 hour exercise.

Marine recruits listen to instructions at the beginning of the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island. Recruits were awakened at 2:30 am.

Marine recruits set a security watch during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island. The Crucible involves food and sleep deprivation and the completion of various obstacles for the recruit to negotiate.

Marine recruits begin the 54-hour Crucible exercise applying camouflage paint on Parris Island.

Marine recruits perform a team problem solving drill during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island.

Marine recruits fight with pugil sticks which simulate a rifle bayonet (red) and stock (black) during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island.

Marine recruits go through a competitive team problem solving drill during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island.

After losing a competitive team exercise, a Marine recruit cringes in pain while carrying another Marine as punishment during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island.

A Marine recruit takes a rest during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island, South Carolina.

A Marine recruit pulls a "wounded" Marine across wet sand while under simulated attack during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island.

A Marine Drill Instructor goes over core values as part of a case study with Marine recruits during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island. Historic battles are used to site bravery, intelligence and poise while under fire.

Marine recruits crawl across wet sand while under simulated fire during the 54-hour Crucible endurance exercise on Parris Island. Drill Instructors motivate, correct and relentlessly harass the recruits during the demanding exercise.

Marine recruits perform a team work drill during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island. The exercise simulates moving across "contaminated terrain."

Marine Corps recruits start a team work drill during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island. A Marine will be passed through the "contaminated" red painted area.

A Marine Drill Instructor shouts proper crawling methods to recruits while under simulated fire during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island. A fire fight recording taken from the movie "Saving Private Ryan" is blasted over loudspeakers during the exercise.

A Marine recruit works his way through an obstacle course during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island.

A Marine Drill Instructor directs a recruit after a simulated enemy ambush and rescue of wounded men during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island.

Under the watchful eye of a Drill Instructor, a Marine recruit charges across wet sand while under simulated attack during the 54-hour Crucible endurance exercise on Parris Island.

Drill Instructors demonstrate proper patrolling techniques to recruits during the 54-hour Crucible exercise on Parris Island.

Newly sworn in US Marines board a bus at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, South Carolina.

A Marine officer demonstrates where fresh recruits stand when first arriving in front of the Receiving Center at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island.

US Marines line up before the recruit graduation ceremony on Parris Island.

US Marines march past the reviewing stand during the recruit graduation ceremony at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, South Carolina.

Marines raise the American flag during a dawn ceremony for new Marines after ending the 54-hour Crucible exercise January 8, 2011 at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, South Carolina. 359 recruits successfully completed the exercise which qualifies them to receive an Eagle, Globe and Anchor pin marking their transition from a recruit to a Marine.