Making Marines - Get Ready For Marine Boot Camp

By Nice Guy on Mar 17, 2008 | Reply

The only way to find out is go there.No one who hasn’t been through it can understand.It stays with you as long as you live.

By LAVADOG_1/3 on Mar 19, 2008 | Reply

Read the second story on this page. It will explain some things to you.

By Amy S on Mar 20, 2008 | Reply

You don’t have to worry. He will still have that same smile, the twinkle in his eye, the same laugh, the same sense of humor and style. He will also, though, have a sense of confidence in himself and his own abilities that will not just be teenaged bravado, but will be based on his pride in the uniform, in himself, in his country, and in his Marine Corps.

If you haven’t already found it, check out It’s the best online resource for anything and everything USMC. They have a RECRUIT MESSAGE BOARD that will be really helpful for you. It’s for loved-ones of Marine recruits… and they’ll support you as you support him through his boot camp experience. The folks there really know what they’re talking about! They’ll welcome you into the Marine Corps family with open arms!

By blest_4x on Mar 22, 2008 | Reply

He will change a lot both physically, mentally and emotionally. Not everyone who goes through boot camp allows themselves to be totally changed, but in the case of my now ex-husband he changed a lot and it was something we could not overcome. When he gets through boot camp give yourself and him time to get to know each other all over again. Things will not be the way they were before, so don’t pressure yourself or him to try to make it that way. The end of boot camp will be a starting over period. For both of you.

By *Sunshine* on Mar 23, 2008 | Reply

Ok. I am a marine girlfriend. My boyfriend turned into a very disciplined, less easygoing, version of himself. The benefit is he cleans, folds laundry, and is very self-disciplined. He is still the same person, and I love him so much. You will need to realize though that after boot camp, his friends will most likely be his number one priority. They become like family there, and the best thing you can do is become friends with his buddies, and when you send care packages, include things for the guys he is with. He still loves you, just make sure you give him his space while he is gone because he is going through hell right now…they make them go two weeks in the field with only baby wipes for “showers”! Be patient and listen and offer your support. Good Luck sweetie, he may change for the worse but I doubt it, none of the guys I knew did, they just become more focused and “hardened”. xoxo

By gbqueen81 on Mar 26, 2008 | Reply

It’s different for everyone. It doesn’t matter which branch of the military it is; that person will see the world differently. For me, once I went to my first duty station I could not identify with my old friends anymore. I made new friends who understood what I was going through (in the military). You sleep with those people, eat with those people, shower with those people, and fight with those people. I no longer cared about trivial things back home, like who was dating who and all the lame gossip I had been so caught up in. I grew up and cared more about world issues and politics…because after I joined the military it truly affected my life in a huge way. So, if your boyfriend is tense, just try to relax and don’t bug him too much. He’s just in a different place, and it’s not your fault. If it’s meant to work out, he’ll marry you and bring into military life.

By sundowner1954 on Mar 28, 2008 | Reply

Basic is designed to break down the individual and teach them to work as a team , this is why he may seem different ,also there is a shock that goes along with that change but will wear off

D .Johnsen