I recently read a letter to the editor from a student at Carrie Ricker Middle School (Nov. 12) headlined “Marines pushing limit.” Since the military branches are constantly generating negative opinions, I just wanted to clear up facts that were misrepresented.

The physical test recruits undergo when arriving at Marine Corps recruit training is called the Initial Strength Test. Recruits first perform pull-ups. The pull-ups are not timed and recruits must do a minimum of two to pass. Then they do as many crunches as they can in two minutes. The passing score for that is 44 crunches. The recruits then get approximately 10 minutes to stretch and rehydrate before making their way to the starting line for a mile-and-a-half run. The passing time is 13 minutes, 30 seconds.

As far as working up to these standards, recruits enter the Delayed Entry Program before going to recruit training. In the DEP, they conduct physical training with their recruiters. They must meet these minimum standards prior to even going to Parris Island.

It is a misunderstanding that recruits must do all these events in under 13 minutes with no water breaks. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding that may exist.

Nick Gagnon, Auburn