Crucible Lantern

The sacred Crucible isn’t complete without the family or loved ones lighting a Lantern awaiting their return or successful completion of the Crucible.

Please read the whole detail as there is the story of the Crucible and why we light a candle or lantern in their honor. *Also details on how we complete your order. Thank you in advance for following our directions.

There are four recruiting battalions. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th RTBN with recruits trained at either MCRD San Diego or MCRD Parris Island. MCRD PI has been training Marines since 1915, and MCRD SD since 1921. The line that divide the two recruiting Depots is the infamous Mississippi River. Each has a sign saying, "We Make Marines" visible to all who walk those sacred grounds.

Receiving the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) has been a long cherished tradition. However, it wasn't until 1996 that the Crucible was implemented by the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Charles C. Krulak. The Crucible was meant to be "a culminating event that would develop the mental, physical, and moral capability" of Marines (June 9th, 2021 - WCBD News 2).

Recruits enter The Crucible as Recruits and exit as Marines. AT MCRD PI, the final stage of The Crucible is a 9 mile hike from the training grounds to the Iwo Jima flag raising statue at Peatross Parade Deck (MCRDPI.marines.mil/recruit-training/crucible.)

At MCRD SD, the final stage of The Crucible is 9.7 mile hike followed by the charging of a 700-foot-tall hill, better known as The Reaper. This final hike pays homage to the brave Marines who willed themselves to the top of Mount Suribachi.

Each recruit undertakes these final obstacle of the crucible under severe fatigue after a grueling couple days. Although each one must complete this final step themselves, the last 10 weeks have born a brotherhood in them they will never forget and together they will motivate and empower each other to overcome the desire to quit and conquer together; charging, yelling, and even crying as they finish 'The Crucible' victorious.

These new Marines receive their coveted EGA in a ceremony immediately following the final challenge. These Marines are then treated to a warriors breakfast.

In years past, dating back to the civil war and beyond, families would light a candle in the window to show the way home to their loved ones in battle. This also told others that a warrior was waging a battle and to keep them in their prayers. Since then, many traditions have come and gone.

In the past 10 years, the lighting of a Crucible Lantern has become a popular tradition and a way for loved ones to show support for their recruit as they take these final steps transforming them into Marines. It has also become a way for friends and families to feel connected as they cross over from recruit to MARINE during the 54 hours Forged by the Fire of The Crucible.

Each battalion has a primary color; 1st Battalion is Red, 2nd is yellow, 3rd is blue and 4th is Burgundy. The 4th TRBN has always been reserved for Female Marines only trained at MCRD PI. However, MCRD SD is currently on the third training cycle of female recruits as it is no longer solely at Parris Island and no longer exclusively female with integration changes. When ordering keep in mind your recruits battalion colors, however, there is also the option to chose black instead of battalion specific colors.

All Crucible items as shown in the Crucible collection are handmade with love by a MoM - Mother Of Marine. Note: *When any crucible item is ordered you will receive either an email or a phone call to clarify any significant information. Each Crucible item is designed to Honor the Corps, the new Marine, and any family who has served before them. It is essential you provide contact details for us to connect with you in the personalization section. We will go over all the information in person over the phone.

Inside the door of the lantern is a pair of yellow footprints signifying where it all began. On a cold /hot and rainy night, scared stiff and wondering if they made the right decision, each recruit is instructed to find a pair of yellow footprints. They will forever be changed the moment they conform to the foot placement known as, the yellow footprints.

There are other options so visit TLCCreativeconcepts.store to see all options. Each lantern shown were custom made to the families requests and we will make a final decision on how your lantern will look during conference call. There are optional add-on see our listings.

The real flame candle and LED candle shown in the listing are separate items. The Lantern does not come with a custom candle.

We DO NOT recommend lighting and keeping a real flame candle in the lantern or lite for 54 hours leaving it unattended at any time.

The candles are covered in scratches, cuts and marks. The scratches, cuts and marks on the candle signifies the pain, cuts, bruises, and pain they have endured and the black or red smudging represent the blood, dirt, sweat, and tears they've shed during their time in bootcamp and finally the grueling and dirty 54 hour Crucible they endured to become a United States Marine. This is a great complement to your lantern. The LED candle is perfect to keep lite throughout the Crucible. The LED candle is also finished with cuts and scraps and smudges without the coins embedded.

Please see other listings for other items in The Crucible Collection if you are interested.

Another listing is the beautiful keepsake box to house your new Marines collectable coins as a beautiful memento to commemorate this momentous occasion. Ask your new Marine the significance of a "coin."

Each lantern is designed and customized for your recruit and his/her family (military history?) This will be covered during a conference call.

The black one shown here was for my second son. Hidden yellow footprints on the bottom for 4 other family members whom he followed into the Marines (his Dad, Brother, Uncle, and Cousin). An angel charm hangs in the top of the lantern for his grandpa who past away to symbolize him watching over him and give him strength. Up to four yellow footprints with the Marines name and date they began bootcamp included. (Marine family members only.)

There are also 4 small yellow ribbons above each side panel, these represent the four family who served in combat (Granpa Vic, Korean War, Dad and Uncle, Desert Storm, and his Brother in Iraq and Afghanistan.) If this fits your family, we will place a maximum of 4 yellow ribbons on the lantern to Honor them at no additional charge.

The charms about who he/she is, their personality, and what they love; example – our son – his dog, skiing, and family. These are hidden in the top and was a way to bring the young man in with the Marine, so that who he was, isn't lost in the who he is becoming. Four charms are included and this will be discussed during the phone call or email discussion.

Just a small story as to why I do this - I am an Army Veteran, but most importantly I am a MoM (Mother Of Marines). I am a MoM of two Marines and I understand the fears, stress, and sleepless nights of worry during bootcamp, The Crucible, and other training.

And our worst fears... Seeing them off to war and all the sleepless nights that comes with waiting for them to return home safe. I saw my first son deploy 3 times to Iraq and Afghanistan and know of brothers he had that did not make it home.

I am also a Wife of a Marine, a Sister of a Marine, an Aunt of a Marine, a Mother-in-law of a Marine, with a third son (of 5) aspiring to be a Marine in a year or two. Our son who just completed bootcamp June 24th, 2022 was named after the first Commandant of the Marine Corps. So to say we are a Marine family is an understatement. However, I was in the Army so I know more Marine jokes than you can shake a crayon at. We have 7 children, 3 serving in either the Marines, the Army, or Law Enforcement.

A portion of each item in the Crucible Collection goes to VICS Ranch (Veterans Independent Connected Support Ranch) - a 501c3 charity organization (I own and operate VICS Ranch to honor my Dad after he past away in 2018.) VICS Ranch teaches a variety of art techniques to combat PTSD and prevent suicide. Every lantern is currently made by me or one of the Veterans we are working with. Please contact us if you would like more information or visit vicsranch.org

Please send me a good number to call to go over all the details as I like to get to know a little about the recruit I'm designing this for to make it personalized just for them.

Thank you,

Tori

We are proudly an official United States Marine Corps Licensed Hobbyist. We are authorized to produce USMC trademark handmade products, License #23055