Making Marines – Get Ready For Marine Boot Camp

By Russ on Apr 7, 2008 | Reply

pratice making your bed with military corners and learn how to fold your clothes military style
the di will take care of the rest
drill instructor

By gabby050404 on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply

Be ready to be told everyday that you’re not good enough. That everything you do, no matter how well it’s done, has something wrong with it. That’s usually what cracks alot of people. Also mental preparation can help in the physical part. When you’re working out, keep telling yourself (in your mind) that you can do it, especially when you feel like you cant. Practice reporting statements. That’ll ease things up a little bit in the beginning.

By Basta Ya on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply

don’t bother. the staff will change the way you think to make you follow orders that may save your life if you ever see combat. that’s their job.

what you should prepare for is how’ll you’ll react to dead bodies blown all over the landscape. that’s the soldier’s job.

ask you recruiter to show you those pictures.

By Warren Bennett on Apr 13, 2008 | Reply

Perhaps you better prepare yourself very well. Because if you join now you know where you are going dont you? Dont be a hero. Because you will be a dead one. Look at the big picture. Not the small one. It is war time. Not the time to say “OK, I’LL Go” The whole Bush family loves capital punishment. Just look….they are coming back from I-the-friggin-rack every day. In boxes.

By irishzeby on Apr 14, 2008 | Reply

I don’t know. But, the discussion board for the Marines may be a good place to look if you haven’t. Good luck, and thanks. Semper Fi; Semper Paratus.

By h h on Apr 15, 2008 | Reply

Physically
Run, alot
Pushups, pullups, and dips help
Weight training might or might not help depending on how long you start to train prior to going.
Run some more…

Mentally its easy
Just get used to things sucking and when they do suck dont whine or bitch and complain about it, just deal with it and move on.

USMC bootcamp is a factory that human beings go through and the end result is a Marine. All you have to do is exactly what your told to do and bootcamp is no problem. For some people doing that is too much for them.

Personally I thought bootcamp was fun. Out of all the training I got in the USMC bootcamp was the easiest I thought since anyone could make it as long as they did what they were told and met some very easily attained standards. Some people think the Drill Instructors are mean, I thought they were hilarious honestly. No matter what a Drill Instructor is doing to you their sole purpose is to make you a good Marine, and to give you the tools you will need to be a good Marine. When you keep that in mind you dont take anything personal, or get upset at any additional training you might undergo.

Some people think bootcamp is this big difficult thing to go through. I guess it just depends on the person really.

If your in reasonable shape prior to going and have a good attitude I dont see it being a problem.

By Ron on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply

You will be going through very rigorus training, and to train mentally, first you need to train as physical as you can, then when you finish everyday, find a quiet place to sit, with no distractions, and meditate. Sit comfortably, relax and breath, empty your mind of everything. It is all about breathing, and relaxing, to improve your mental skills. I studied Karate for over 10 years, my first 3 years,were 4 days a week, and after we had worked out in class to a serious intensity, at the end we did a meditation, and you would feel like a million bucks, because you were focused,had a clear mind, and felt good. It is all about breathing, and relaxing, and clearing your mind.

By snowwebster2 on Apr 18, 2008 | Reply

Be prepared to Never Say Die, to anything, to anyone, for any reason.

If you feel you can make this committment, you can be my brother.

By gedger on Apr 19, 2008 | Reply

If you are still in high school join the wrestling team.
Otherwise prepare to be mentally and physically tested. They want to know you won’t break under pressure. If you do, don’t take it personal. The fact you understand this means you are not stupid and are already preparing yourself. The real pressure comes when you take the challenge to become a SEAL.
Good luck in whatever you choose.

By ram on Apr 21, 2008 | Reply

The “mental” challange of basic is pretty much being able to cope with the DI shouting at the top of his lungs about 1in from your face with his finger pointing at you even closer. You’re going to have a lot of spit in your face (they make sure they spit alot when their yelling), but don’t even think about wiping it off.

Anyway, a mature attitude will save you from a lot of heartache. A lot of people going into the marines are immature, I-want-it-my-way punk kids. These are the ones that find it mentally challenging.

Follow orders from the DI, without complaint, grumbling or anything. So what you’re told and what you’re supposed to do and you’ll be ok mentally. Mess up or screw around, and you’ll mark yourself to the DI’s as one they need to spend more time with.

Also, if you’re the “best” recurit, be prepared for some punishment as well, as you will be used as the example, and the slightest thing you do wrong will be “corrected” by the DIs.

I didn’t have a problem in basic. I didn’t go in right out of high school, and had a more mature attitude than most others.

To prepare yourself, do what your told, when your told to do it. Whether it’s your parents, other family, teachers or whomever, get used to it. There’s a reason why the DIs will pounce on you if you don’t do what your told when your told to do it. In battle, if you dont’ follow an order when your told, you very well may get yourself killed.

By scout_sniper_m40a1 on Apr 21, 2008 | Reply

To mentally prepare for the Marine Corps you should be able to handle someone yelling in your face (sometimes what is said is quite insulting). You will need to be able to stay mentally alert for long periods of time without sleep. You should have all your ranks( who to salute, and when to salute) memorized. You should be able to recite the Marine Corps Hyme. Know Your General Orders. Be able to make your bed. I would say polish your boots but you dont have to do that anymore. You most importantly of all have to be able to think with a clear head under a high stress environment. Remain calm under pressure. You learn these things you should be okay ……. one might say to check your brain at the gate upon arrival at MCRD, and remember to pick it up again upon graduation.

My advise is to do your best at everything you can and dont get discouraged if you mess up.. that is why they have basic training… is to teach you not to mess up. I would say that about 95% of your class will messup at least once…. learn from it and move on. Another thing you need to learn is teamwork …. work as a team help one another.

Make sure to follow orders to a T. The DI’s job is to teach you how to survive combat and how to react …. so for Gods sake listen good and dont take anything they say personal.. they are not there to be your friend they are there to teach…
Good Luck to you.

By Kevin A on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

EVERYTHING your parents tell you to do, do it without question and do it as fast as you can and every time they tell you to do it again do it faster. There’s no talking back in the Marines and everything has to be done as fast as you possibly can. Even if it’s the very fastest you can do it, do it faster. FAST FAST FAST!!!

That’s the ticket.

By jpsmith479 on Apr 27, 2008 | Reply

That is a great question. Alot of people worry about getting in shape physically before going to boot camp. I wouldn’t completely blow that off, but I wouldn’t completely stress out about that either. The Marine Corps drill instructors will ensure that you get plenty of physical training to get you into the best shape of your life.

Marine Corps boot camp is designed to stress you out to levels you’ve never experienced. The reasoning behind it is to get you used to thinking and moving during highly stressful situations that you may experience after boot camp.

There is no sure fire way to prepare yourself for the mental barrage that you will experience. However, I’ve often told others that these three things will help.

1) Take 15 small children to Chuck E. Cheeses BY YOURSELF and do what you can to make them behave WITHOUT LOSING YOUR COOL.

2) Go for a drive on the interstate DURING RUSH HOUR. And to add to the effect, do it when it’s hot outside, keep your windows up, and do not use the air conditioner.

3) Cook a dinner for your family and about 20 guests. Take care of all the cooking and food prep by yourself.

These are all stressful things to do. They don’t compare to what you’ll go through in boot camp. But if you can handle these three things, than you can handle boot camp mentally. Remember, alot of it is a mind game designed to make you think and react under pressure.

By Matthew on Apr 29, 2008 | Reply

Being physically prepared will do a lot to help you mentally. If you have any weight on you, make sure you lose as much as possible before you go. That will also help you mentally. Your recruiter should have a DEP program. That will help a lot. Lastly, find whatever documentaries about Marine Corps boot camp that you can, and watch them carefully. You’ve really got to be a hard charger to join the Corps. If normal life ever stresses you out, don’t ever join. If you don’t like pain, or are afraid of broken bones, don’t join. If you can’t hold your bladder, if you’ve ever cried over something other than a dead family member, or if you ever have thoughts of suicide, don’t join. If you are always changing the thermostat because you can’t stand it being a few degrees too hot or too cold, don’t join. On the other hand, If you can get knocked down in a fight where the odds are against you, but you keep getting up again, you’re going to the right place. If pain makes you giggle and blood makes you grin, you’re going to the right place. If you think dirt is delicious and sleep is for sissies, you’re going to the right place. If you think Hell might be a nice place to visit, you’re going to the right place. They don’t call us Devil Dogs for nothing. Good luck.

By jman on Apr 30, 2008 | Reply

dude!!!no!!! join the army!!!!

By TilBot1007 on May 2, 2008 | Reply

Start saying yes ma’am and yes sir to your parents without hesitation and then do everything they say to the “T”–this will help with the whole doing what you’re told thing. Fold everything in your drawer precisely to your parent’s directions. Keep all your belongings in a footlocker (that’s only 3 cubic feet).

By insurance_man69 on May 4, 2008 | Reply

prepare your @$$ for pain, you little maggot!

By seth on May 6, 2008 | Reply

Just let all the yelling go in one ear and out the other!
befor i shipped to boot, i ran everyday, sit up’s, push up’s…..”PT”
run run run you’ll be glade you got yourself used to it befor you go because they are going to run the shit out of you.
one other thing, always remember……EVERYONE THER IS YOUR BROTHER! you’ll be just fine.
HOOAH!