Once Marines successfully complete Force Recon screening, they are attached to a Recon Indoctrination Platoon (RIP), where they learn the skills necessary to become a Force Recon Marine.  While they are in the platoon they are put through a dynamic physical training program to get them ready for Selection.  The Force Recon Selection is a one day physical test which represents the endurance and fortitude necessary to complete the intense schools they will be attending.  The Selection for the 2nd Force Recon Company consists of a Marine Corps PFT, modified Confidence Course, swim test, and ruck endurance run.

     The test lasts the entire day and each Marine taking the test has a member from the Force Recon Unit monitoring them during each phase of the Selection.  Although Marines must achieve high scores in all phases of the Selection in order to receive a passing mark, the final decision is up to the monitoring cadre that evaluated the Marine.  The standards are not given out in order to ensure each Marine gives 110% the entire time.  Quitting during any phase of the Selection is allowed and does not disqualify a Marine from taking the Selection at a later date.  Most Marines do not pass the Selection on their first attempt.

     Training for Marine Corps Force Recon is divided into two categories, which are Deep Reconnaissance and Direct Action (DA) missions.  Every platoon has a two year work-up cycle that consists of a 6 month Individual Training Phase, 6 month Unit Training Phase (Deep Reconnaissance), 6 month Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (Direct Action) Training Phase, and the 6 month MEU (SOC) Deployment.

     The Individual Training Phase is when the Marines go to their specialized reconnaissance schools.  Before deploying, each Force Recon Marine in the platoon will go to the Basic Reconnaissance Course, Airborne School, the Marine Combatant Diver School, and SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) School.  Upon completion of these courses and schools, the Force Recon Marines can be selected to go to advanced reconnaissance schools, some of which are Ranger, Pathfinder, EMT, Military Freefall, Jumpmaster, Applied Explosives, and the Mountain Leaders Course (winter and summer).

     The usual Unit Training Phase includes Long Range Communications, Advanced Parachute/HAHO, Amphibious Recon, Combat Dive, Space Insertion, Weapons & Tactics, Combat Trauma, Desert Patrolling, Mountain Patrolling, and Long Range Patrols.

     The MEU (SOC) Training Phase is compromised of the Explosive Breaching Course, Close Quarter Battle Course, GOPLAT (gas and oil platform) training, VBSS (Shipboard Visit Board Search & Seizures).  During the TrUE (Training in an Urban Environment) training, the platoons can train in many different missions to support the MEU (SOC).  The MEU (SOC) missions consist of:
                                                1. Amphibious Raids
                                                2. Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)
                                                3. Reinforcement Operations
                                                4. Security Operations
                                                5. Humanitarian Operations
                                                6. Seize Airfields and Ports
                                                7. Conduct Counter-Intelligence Operations
                                                8. Signal Intelligence/Electronic Warfare
                                                9. Direct Action Raids
                                                           --Maritime Interdiction Operations
                                                           --Platform raids/operations
                                                           --Recovery Operations
                                                10. Clandestine Recon and Surveillance
                                                11. Specialized Demo
                                                12. TRAP (Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel)