RECON TRAINING & ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (RTAP): THE FIRST GUT CHECK OF THE RECON MARINE PIPELINE

The Recon Training and Assessment Program (RTAP), previously known as the Basic Reconnaissance Primer Course (BRPC), is the first gut check of the Marine Reconnaissance pipeline. In a nutshell, RTAP is a 5 week course that screens Recon candidates to see if they are physically and mentally prepared to attend the renowned Basic Reconnaissance Course. Although this course is just 5 weeks in length, many Recon candidates are known to drop on request, or “DOR”, as well as fail to meet the standards of the Marine Recon community. Read on to learn more about RTAP to best prepare yourself for the rigorous journey ahead.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (click on a section to take you there)

What is the Recon Training and Assessment Program (RTAP)?

What is tested in RTAP?

How hard is RTAP?

How to prepare for and crush RTAP

Conclusion

What is the Recon Training and Assessment Program (RTAP)?

Every special operations community has some sort of filter or gut check to weed out those who don’t want to be there, and the Marine Reconnaissance community is no exception. While the bread and butter of a Recon Marine’s training is at the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC), the community uses RTAP to both screen and prepare candidates for the rigors ahead. In the five week course, Recon candidates will don their Recon Ropes and go through a series of difficult physical evolutions to prove themselves capable of even getting a shot at joining the community. Essentially, think of RTAP as the first step in the Recon Marine pipeline.

What is tested in RTAP?

The real question is, what isn’t tested at RTAP? It’s considered the gut check of the Recon Marine pipeline for a reason. At RTAP, candidates are expected to be in peak physical shape. From running, swimming, treading, finning, rucking, Marine Obstacle courses, Pig Egg PT, water confidence, and calisthenics – the list goes on and on (and on)! Not only will you be tested on the full spectrum of physicality, but you’ll also be evaluated on day and nighttime land navigation, as well as showing proficiency in tying the 12 Recon Knots. If you’d like to learn how to master the 12 Recon Knots, click here to take you there.

How hard is RTAP?

Suffice it to say, the Reconnaissance Training and Assessment Program is no easy feat. If you do not show up to this course physically and mentally prepared, you are setting yourself up for failure rather than success. RTAP (and formerly as BRPC) has been known to have an attrition rate of well over 50% in some classes. While everyone has their own reasons for withdrawing from the course, many do so because they are not physically prepared for the rigors ahead – ESPECIALLY in the water. Do yourself a favor and start preparing for the RTAP, which is discussed in the next section.

How to prepare for and crush RTAP

The Reconnaissance Training and Assessment Program requires you to be physically fit on both land and water events, and to be mentally sharp with land navigation and the 12 Recon Knots. As such, there’s a lot of preparation that you’ll need to do if you’re planning on trying out for the Marine Reconnaissance Community. We’re going to break things down into three parts to prepare you for RTAP:

1. LEARN YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

As we said previously, RTAP will have you doing a wide variety of difficult PT exercises and tests. You can be the best runner and rucker in the world, but if you can barely stay afloat in the pool, you are destined to fail in RTAP. Understand what you’re going to be put through and see where your strengths and weaknesses are. This way, you’ll be able to put extra time and focus on your problem areas to where they might become one of your strengths!

2. SET GOALS AND USE AN EFFECTIVE, SAFE FITNESS PROGRAM.

Going to the gym to just lift some weights for your workouts will not prepare you for RTAP, not even close. Once you know your strengths and weaknesses, find yourself a reputable, applicable PT regimen so you can start preparing for the rigors ahead at the Recon schoolhouse. Finding an efficient training program should not break the bank, so don’t expect that you’ll need to go find a personal trainer or anything like that. Plenty of people have gone down the path you’re about to embark on, and there are plenty of great resources out there to help prepare you for the Recon Marine Pipeline.

3. INVEST IN SOME SOLID, ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR YOUR TRAINING.

There’s a LOT of gear that Recon candidates use during their training pipeline. From rucks, to fins, pig eggs, land navigation gear and a rope to tie the 12 recon knots, you will have a lot of gear that you will need to be familiarized with. Lucky for you, we provide all of this gear at an affordable price to help you best prepare for Recon selection over at RTAP!

Our Recon Rucking Prep Kit has everything you need to begin your rucking preparation for the Recon Marine Pipeline, and then some. Not only that, but it also contains Stew Smith’s Recon Training Preparation Book, which will give you a solid training regimen to prepare for the Recon Pipeline. It also contains a Pig Egg Kit, so all you gotta do is add some sand to it and you’ll be good to go. There’s a lot of value in this kit, so make sure to check it out by clicking here.

Our Recon Rope (also included in the Recon Rucking Prep Kit) is just the tool you need to learn how to tie the 12 Recon Knots. Recon candidates are known as “Ropers” because they wear a black static line rope around their shoulders for the entirety of training. Our Recon Rope is a replica of the rope you will be using in training, so you’ll be learning how to tie the knots with the real deal. Click here to check out our Recon Rope.

Our XS Scuba Frog Fins are arguably the best fins you can get for the Recon pipeline and beyond... just ask any Recon Marine! Frog Fins are the gold standard of fins, and investing in a pair of these for your pool training is a no brainer. Click here to get yourself a pair.

And lastly, save yourself the manhunt for all of your land navigation gear at the MCX and invest in a Land Navigation Kit. Everything in this kit can be used to help familiarize yourself with land navigation gear. Click here to take you to the Land Navigation Kit, or if you’re looking to save some hard-earned cash, we also bundle this kit with the Recon Rucking Prep Kit, which you can check out here.

By investing with the right gear, learning your strengths and weaknesses, and getting into a solid training regimen, you will vastly increase your chances of success in the Recon Training and Assessment Program!

Conclusion

The Recon Training and Assessment Program is no walk in the park. A lot will be asked out of you, and you will be tested in ways you’ve never been before. Despite its difficulty, if you prepare both physically and mentally, you can most definitely crush this course. Train hard and smart, and you will be well on your way. If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us on our Contact Form on our website – we’re always happy to help!

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