I am leaving for marine boot camp in a week. What would one suggest in order to prepare?

August 17th, 2008 | by MakingMarines |
prepare for boot camp
Soccer Stud asked:


Also what should i expect to see

Marine Boot Camp Video

  1. 19 Responses to “I am leaving for marine boot camp in a week. What would one suggest in order to prepare?”

  2. By Lucky on Aug 18, 2008 | Reply

    Aw, bye, be careful. Bring pics of your loved ones…

  3. By nature lover on Aug 22, 2008 | Reply

    Expect it to be hard both mentally and physically. Keep your cool, do what your told, and remember that they are molding you into a marine, so go with it.

  4. By iscan12345 on Aug 22, 2008 | Reply

    Learn to carry plenty of heavy loads and sharpen up your tolerance level. It would not hurt for you to learn how to survive in very hostile environment. Watch out for the bullies!

  5. By drivemecrazy on Aug 25, 2008 | Reply

    Take something that has strong reminders of home. You will be homesick, promise, but the program doesn’t last forever. I took my Bible, with photos taped in the back cover. Hang in there, Semper Fi!

  6. By Fred W on Aug 26, 2008 | Reply

    Pack light, obey your drill sergeants, support your buddies.

  7. By nickolassc on Aug 27, 2008 | Reply

    Once you become a real marine you will look back on boot camp and laugh about what a joke it was, but here’s my advice:

    Don’t take anything but the clothes on your back, and some personal hygiene items, trust me on this point. You will be sorry if you do. Also don’t do anything to stand out. Go in shaved, with plain clothes, and a decent haircut, if you are singled out you will have 11 weeks of hell.

    Also you must always keep your sense of humour and treat basic training as a game. Otherwise you lose.

    Seriously the whole point of boot camp is not boot camp, once you figure out the true meaning you win the game.

    Do some research on socialization into the military lifestyle and you will find your answers.

  8. By jd on Aug 28, 2008 | Reply

    I went in 99 and there is nothing you can do to prepare. Just be ready to be shocked and awed. Make sure you have everyones addresses before you go. It might take a month until everyone sends you something because they do not know your address. It will be a rough time while you are there but looking back on it it was pretty fun too. The DIs are funny as hell. They will nkow when to break the stress with a little humor. The best advise I have for you is take it meal to meal and the time will fly! Have fun and stay safe. Semper Fi!

  9. By Carrie B on Aug 28, 2008 | Reply

    Your recruiter should answer eny questions.Run,Pullups,etc..Bring as little as possible but bring pics from home..Good Luck

  10. By nickle on Aug 30, 2008 | Reply

    Be prepared to run your butt off, alot of running, pushups, pullups, all the good stuff you never thought you would ever be dooing ir really wanting to do. Alot of yelling and “barking of orders” of those who are in charge . Alot of “mind games” to see if you can handle it or run crying to mommy on the phone. And a lot of political BS. mainly political BS

  11. By gal_touchofdestiny on Sep 2, 2008 | Reply

    .Be proud of serving your country, conservatives are very proud of you and don’t listen to the far left, they have NO Patriotism. What you will expect to see our soldiers training for combat. Take care of yourself and defend yourself if you do see combat! Don’t be afraid to use your rifle when needed in combat. Remember get the enemy first.

  12. By John W on Sep 4, 2008 | Reply

    Be as physically fit as possible. Don’t take a lot of personal belongings as you won’t have a lot of personal space. If you need it, the Corps will give it to you. Expect to be mentally challenged by the Drill Instructors. They will be hard on you, but it’s actully for your own good. Pay attention, keep your nose clean and try to enjoy it. You’ll get a lot out of it if you commit to it.

    Too bad you didn’t go Army, but the USMC is a good second choice. Semper Fi!

  13. By De C on Sep 4, 2008 | Reply

    Listen to Fred’s answer…. that is EXACTLY what I would’ve wrote…. which is why he got my “thumb’s up”…

    Pack light… they aren’t going to let you keep it anyways!!

    And even though YOU are there to succeed…. it’s all about you supporting your buds and vice versa.

    And, please O please… listen to your D.I… very closely
    (make sure you don’t call him drill Sergeant…LoL)

    Oh, yeah!! When you get there… expect to see Yellow Footprints and the back of someones big dome!!

    Semper Fi!!

  14. By John M on Sep 4, 2008 | Reply

    First of all I know you are not my son but I’m proud of your decision. So with that said, Remember boot camp is going to be tough, Very tough!! But remember it is going to end, Yes boot camp is not forever. After it is all said and done you will look back and be like wow!!! So just remember there is an end to it, keep that in mind. Be respectful to all of your superiors, Dont try to fight the system, It is a tryed and true system you can’t beat. (after all that is why you signed up) to be a part of the greatest organization in the world, The United states Marines!!! Good luck, email me when you complete basic…

  15. By Tincan Navy on Sep 5, 2008 | Reply

    You should have started preparing long ago. Hope you are at least a little in shape or you are going to hurting. You are going to see the teeth and throat of a screaming DI. I suggest you do the following. 1. keep your mouth shut unless answering a direct question 2. LISTEN TO YOUR DI, 3. do what you are told, 4. keep a positive attitude 5. find something to continuously motivate you. 6. Pay attention to detail. 7. No matter how hard it gets, it won’t last forever
    GOOD LUCK!

  16. By BarB on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply

    Leave your ego behind… Also, start learning that you know NOTHING about ANYTHING in this world. You are lower than dirt and as useful as a blown tire.

    Use mental duct-tape to keep your mouth shut unless asked a direct question.

    No one can prepare you for what you are in for. Your drill instructor will become your life and he will own every part of your body, mind and future. He will humilate, cajole, curse, berate, encourage, demand and call you a mommas boy. He will call you names (some of which you have NEVER heard before) and will be on your butt every minute of everyday except those few hours a night when you get to sleep. He will tell you what to eat, think, wear. He will tell you what to do and how to do it. He is NEVER wrong – you ALWAYS are. He will remind you daily that you are not worthy to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor…and that you SIGNED up for this and it is YOUR responsibility to finishe the job.

    He will tell you your butt is full of lead, you don’t know your right from your left in anything; feet, arms, hands. He will call you a girl on a regular basis. He may even come up with an endearing name for you like “Eileen”.

    He will make you suffer terribly if your uniform of the day is not spit-spot, ironed and creased. You will suffer the fires of hell if your shoes aren’t “patent leather” shining. If you look him directly in the eyes without being told to, he brings a lightening bolt down from the heavens and it lands on the back of your neck.

    If you are at Parris Island, you will learn to love and respect the sand fleas – even when they are biting every exposed part of your body. He will make SURE you love them.

    He will make of you a warrior…a true warrior – not one of those Hollywood-Charles Bronson ones…but a real one. For that is what a Marine is by the time boot camp is over; a warrior member of the finest fighting force in the world. And the Drill Instructor builds you.

  17. By JAKE E on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply

    Always change your socks when you can and take mental note plus make friends.

  18. By mapit07 on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply

    From talking to USMC vets take very few things,but as soon as you get through basic,buy language courses plus learn cultural dos donts for islamic countries.I am ex pat brit who lived in Middle east,I have helped out some of young folks heading out.
    A bullet and gun will save your life but your brain will save your squad.

  19. By brennann a on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply

    i just went threw it kid. i brought a bible and my rosary. also a pic of my 2 daughters and my wife.ill be shipping out soon. so ill kick some ass for you.

  20. By Leatherwreck on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply

    Just the clothes on your back, they pack those away for the entire time you’re in training and you only get them back at the end of boot.You are issued everything else you will need.If you wear glasses, take those but you’ll receive BCGs your first week. Your wallet, watch and any jewelry will be retained by you in a valuables bag ( a small satchel with a draw string closure).
    If you’re not already in shape, one week isn’t enough time to prep yourself, so just understand the first few weeks may be a struggle.If you fail the IST (initial strength test) you’ll be dropped to PCP (physical conditioning platoon) to bring you up to at least minimal standards. If you should be injured at any point in training you’ll be sent to MRP (medical recovery platoon) until you heal and can continue training.
    Remember the easiest way to get out of MCRD is to graduate on time. Just do what you’re told to do with speed and intensity. Refer to yourself only as “this recruit”, not I because you lose “I” on the yellow footprints.
    If you need more info just ask there’s a million Devildogs out here on YA and we’re always happy to answer up.
    Good luck and Semper Fi.

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