Incentive Physical Training

You will become very familiar with IPT during your time at boot camp. Drill Instructors will use this as a form of punishment when you or anyone else in your platoon does something wrong. This form of punishment usually takes place in the squad bay on what is called the quarterdeck. Your Drill Instructor will call you up to the quarterdeck and begin to “thrash” you by making you do various exercises such as push-ups, flutter-kicks, leg lifts, mountain climbers, side straddle hops and more.

Another common place for IPT is the sand pit which is located just outside the barracks that you will be living in. It is usually reserved for those times when the Drill Instructors are very angry with you. It also tends to be the place where the whole platoon can be punished at once. The sand pit is simply a large box area full of sand. This is not a fun place to be doing exercises in the summer time. You will have sand clinging to every part of your body as you are sweating to some IPT.

If you will be going to Parris Island, you will also have to deal with sand fleas waiting to bite and distract you. The sand pit at Parris Island is known for the sand fleas and you will not be allowed to swat at them or it will just cause you to receive extra punishment.

How can you avoid IPT? You can’t. Sure, you can try to keep low key and do exactly as you are told but you will still be punished for other recruits’ actions. It’s all part of the game. Remember, no matter how good you are, it is the overall effectiveness of the platoon that matters. You are only as strong as your weakest link so if there is one weak recruit, you will all pay.