Marine Corps!!!

[mattsadrummer]

Well i've decided to join the Corps in a little over a year. Im waiting that long because I want to train during that period of time to get my body somewhat ready for the brutal recruit training (boot camp). Is there ANY advice anyone in the military preferably the Marines could give me? Im 18 years old as of now, i'll be 19 in May by the way.

[LoudRam]

Congratulations.
Advice... keep your head down so your not a :target.

[SemperFidelis1111]

Run, run, run....then run some more. Start pacing yourself until you can run 3 miles in a reasonable time (24:00-28:00 minutes), somewhere around there, not sure of the exact pft specs.

And forget doing any push-ups, they don't matter, focus on being able to do 20 pull-ups in a row.

Boot is really not all that physical, its more mind games. They will try to break you down every second of the day, thats how they weed out the weak ones. It's best to stay right in the middle, don't be the best or worst recruit and you will be able to sail through easily.

Make sure you know the entire rank structure, enlisted and officer. And how to request things from your DI properly... This recruit requests permission to speak to Drill Instructor Staff Sgt. (Montejano)...then say what you need to say in the least amount of words possible.

And last but not least, try and get a billet. Scribe is the best because you will have control of the fire watch, but whiskey locker recruit is great as well, because you will have control over the supplies and you can trade out of many things you don't want to do. Sadly, Boots a lot like :jail :aha

Good luck Marine to be, hope to see you in the family soon.

USMC Graduate 05' (2311)

[mbtcforJesus]

Well i've decided to join the Corps in a little over a year. Im waiting that long because I want to train during that period of time to get my body somewhat ready for the brutal recruit training (boot camp). Is there ANY advice anyone in the military preferably the Marines could give me? Im 18 years old as of now, i'll be 19 in May by the way.

Not a Marine, but an Air Force vet. Here's some advice: never, I repeat never, volunteer for anything. You'll find out what I mean one day. :) However, since you'll be a little bit older than some you may get "volunteered" for things. I was 20 when I signed up and as hard as I tried to go through basic un-noticed I was volunteered for things because my quietness was viewed by my training instructor as maturity.

Anyway, glad to hear that you signed up. You'll learn a lot of things about becoming a team member. Be prepared to be yelled out a lot. Try not to take it personally. Your trainers wil be trying to get your basic training unit to act more as one, and a team, rather than acting as individuals.

I've been out of the military now for 25 years and look back fondly on my experiences there. May the Lord bless your time serving our country. :hat

[Candi]

My son has three more weeks left till he graduates boot camp.
He's MCRD San Diego...

There are some good dvd's you could watch so you can be aware of what all you'll do... one is "Making Marines" (3 hours long and shows all 13 weeks).... and "Ears Open, Eyeballs Click" I've heard is great too but more blunt.

Also, tell your family and friends about www.recruitparents.com because it's been a great source of support and friendship for me since day 1. It's a message board for us in our own "mom bootcamp". There's lots of information at that link, including the training schedule of what the recruits do week by week.

Figure out what you'll do for your car payments and other bills since while you're gone for 3 months you won't have access to your money that you get paid. So plan ahead for 3 months to have all your bills covered during that time.

Write home as much as you possibly can while in boot camp to your mom!!
If you read some of the forums on that link you'll quickly find out how much mom's worry and stalk the mailman waiting for a letter.

Be prepared to be deployed to the "sandbox" (iraq) or the "mountains" (aphganistan) at least 4 times during your 4 years in the Corps...

It would probably be best to go into boot camp during the spring or summer months while the weather is nice....

[Rmf3175]

DO NOT GO IN OPEN CONTRACT

If there are any ?? about that please ask! I would have given anything to have someone tell me that ahead of time.

When you do join keep everything paperwork wise, meps records all the way to dd214. It will make your life alot easier when you do get out if you have to deal with the VA.

SF1111 gives some pretty good advice about bein' in boot camp.

I went through june to aug of 93. (0351) Right in the middle of summer. Not good, spring or fall.:heh

[living4JC]

DO NOT GO IN OPEN CONTRACT

If there are any ?? about that please ask! I would have given anything to have someone tell me that ahead of time.

When you do join keep everything paperwork wise, meps records all the way to dd214. It will make your life alot easier when you do get out if you have to deal with the VA.

SF1111 gives some pretty good advice about bein' in boot camp.

I went through june to aug of 93. (0351) Right in the middle of summer. Not good, spring or fall.:heh

Semper Fi!! 0351 as well?? I graduated (Hollywood Marine) back in 1990, India Company Platoon 3046. Did a tour during Desert Storm in 1991, got out in 1993 due to a bad back. Hard to believe it's been 15 years already. Either way, good advise on keeping all your paperwork, going in with an MOS, etc. And remember, boot camp is primarily just a head game. It is physical, lots of running, sit ups, pull ups, etc. But most people can handle the physical part. It's the mental games that the Drill Instructor's play that some have trouble with. It starts right away from the first week of acclimation, to the second week when your DI Team picks you up and begins the training cycle. Full Metal Jacket is kinda a primer of what you'll experience. While they don't hit you anymore, you'll definitely suffer the consequences of having a 'Private Pyle' in your platoon (and every platoon seems to have at least one). PM me if you have any questions!

Semper Fi!

[mattsadrummer]

I want to thank everyone of you for your valued advice, I appreciate it so much! And for all of you that have served I cannot wait to be able to give to my country just as you all have! God bless you all my friends!

[mattsadrummer]

I've seen full metal jacket so many times, I think I can recite that whole movie :aha But god help me if we do have a "private pyle" in my platoon haha

Best part ever= The Jelly Doughnut Scene :)
I will never take food from the mess hall..EVER



Semper Fi!! 0351 as well?? I graduated (Hollywood Marine) back in 1990, India Company Platoon 3046. Did a tour during Desert Storm in 1991, got out in 1993 due to a bad back. Hard to believe it's been 15 years already. Either way, good advise on keeping all your paperwork, going in with an MOS, etc. And remember, boot camp is primarily just a head game. It is physical, lots of running, sit ups, pull ups, etc. But most people can handle the physical part. It's the mental games that the Drill Instructor's play that some have trouble with. It starts right away from the first week of acclimation, to the second week when your DI Team picks you up and begins the training cycle. Full Metal Jacket is kinda a primer of what you'll experience. While they don't hit you anymore, you'll definitely suffer the consequences of having a 'Private Pyle' in your platoon (and every platoon seems to have at least one). PM me if you have any questions!

Semper Fi!

[Compatriot G]

All of the above is good advice. Just remember, your Drill Instructors don't hate you, even though it seems like they do. While Boot Camp seems like a traumatic experience when it is occurring, you will look back on it and realize it wasn't as bad as what you thought. Plus, if you can make it through Marine Corps Boot Camp, everything else in life seems rather easy. This comes from an old 1811 that graduated from MCRD October 25, 1985. Plt. 2083, Hotel Company.