1. Entry level (pipeline) Marines are first screened while at the School of Infantry to attend the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC).
2. Marine and Navy (corpsman) personnel from other military occupational specialties must be volunteers.
3. General prerequisites for all students to attend the BRC are listed below.

• Marines’ temporary additional duty orders to attend the BRC must have a statement certifying the Marine meets the requirements of the below subparagraphs.

1. Must have a GT score of 105 or higher.
2. Must posses a 3rd class swim qualification to enter BRC (During phase I of BRC, the student will be required to obtain a 1st class swim qualification).
3. Must obtain a 2nd class score of 200 on the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to enter BRC (During phase I of BRC, the student will be required to obtain a 1st class score of 225 on the PFT).
4. Must have 20/ 200 near visual acuity or visual acuity not to exceed 20/ 400 with a completed PRK eye surgery candidate consult. Normal color vision is recommended, but not required provided the student can complete a vivid red and vivid green recognition test, per P117 medical manual of the Navy and Army AR 40-501
5. All Enlisted Marines attending BRC for the purpose of attaining the PMOS 0321 must have completed the Marine Infantry Training Battalion course of instruction.
6. Must be fluent in the English language. International military students must score an 80 on the english comprehensive language test.
7. Must be a U.S. Citizen.
8. Must be eligible for a secret clearance.
9. Must be medically and physically qualified to participate in arduous physical activities and training (It is strongly recommended that students report free of any upper respiratory      infections, ear, nose, throat disorders, or any other medical disorder that precludes exposure to salt water)

The initial screen for all students on Training Day One (TD-1) will be a 1st class PFT and a safety swim screening in utilities (no boots), as follows:

1. 500 meter un-timed swim utilizing breast stroke or sidestroke only.
2. 25 meter underwater swim. (Sub-Surface swim requires that the student can NOT break the surface)
3. 12 – 15 feet deep weapon (rubber rifle) retrieval.
4. Enter water from a height of 8 to 15 feet using the abandon ship technique, tread water for 30 minutes.

The purpose of the Basic Reconnaissance course is to provide Marines and other services with Basic Reconnaissance training in preparation for duty as a Recon Man within a Reconnaissance Platoon of a Recon Battalion, Company, or as a member of the Marine Special Operation Battalion, or other Reconnaissance units.

The scope for BRC: The Reconnaissance Man is responsible for the pre-assault and deep post-assault Reconnaissance in support of the Landing Force Commander.  He is also capable of performing limited small unit special operations when directed.  He is the nucleus of a Reconnaissance team or assault force within the Reconnaissance Community.  In addition to Basic Infantry skills, he is responsible for highly refined scouting and patrolling skills.  He must also possess advanced proficiency in scout swimming, small boat operations, close combat skills, helicopter insertion/extraction techniques, assault climbing, demolitions, forward observer procedures for supporting arms, initial terminal guidance operations for heliborne, airborne, and waterborne forces, communications, photography, threat weapons and equipment identification, and various point and area reconnaissance and surveillance, and amphibious reconnaissance operations.  Selected Reconnaissance men are further trained as Static-line and Multi-Mission Parachute System parachutists and open and closed circuit divers.