The physical and mental fitness of marines is put to the test in the gruelling final 54-hour field exercise known as the Crucible. If a recruit makes it through the Crucible they are then able to call themselves a Marine.

The recruit dropout rate is around 11%, lower than the US army average. Recruiting a marine costs around $11,000, with another $35,000 spent on initial training. A recruit would be expected to serve for at least four years.

Once a Marine, further training would include immediate action to take in the event of chemical, nuclear or biological attacks, firing from different positions, squad level tactics, combat hand and arm signals and how to exit from helicopters and amphibious landing craft.

Rather than having any offensive capability their main function is to protect the regime.

Details of formal training are unknown. Shortages of fuel and ammunition mean that Iraqi soldiers in general have not received much training since 1991.