Making Marines – Get Ready For Marine Boot Camp

By UK ROCKS! on Sep 9, 2009 | Reply

buy yourself a BRITISH ARMY training book and do the exercises

BRITISH ARMY ROCKS!

By yoDIDj on Sep 12, 2009 | Reply

run everyday faster than you thought you could! and get use to not speaking for a few months

By yourmuda on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply

join a gym and tell them, they will “pump you up”

By AC1BD on Sep 15, 2009 | Reply

have a great summer…and get lots of sleep

By whizzbangdood on Sep 17, 2009 | Reply

Exercise like youve never exercised before. Get used to carrying 60lb back packs around, start wearing combat boots around now or youll end up with blisters in the marines.

By firstythirsty on Sep 20, 2009 | Reply

Try to stop thinking, for yourself or about yourself. I’m serious – the sooner you can stop thinking about yourself, the easier it will be on you.

By Uncle Tim on Sep 21, 2009 | Reply

Run, allot. Build up your stamina.

By lawmom on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply

I’d start on push-ups and pull-ups and going for long runs to try and condition yourself. Also, start getting up early to do them, like 5 am.

Good luck!

By penydred on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply

Do what you are told when you are told and kiss your individuality good by…….you are courageous and good luck to you

By JAMES W on Sep 27, 2009 | Reply

first of all you are hot and secand be in shape…

By warpig on Sep 28, 2009 | Reply

if u smoke quit,start running,u can do it………………..

By Newme324 on Sep 30, 2009 | Reply

Be strong mentally, work out and get used to working as a team. one mess up you all mess up

By golden sephiroth on Sep 30, 2009 | Reply

My recommendation is to get yourself into the best physical shape that you possibly can before you get to boot camp. Boot camp will do the rest.

By RJ on Oct 1, 2009 | Reply

Best thing you can do is endurance training as much as possible to prepare yourself physically. Don’t think you can prepare mentally though. I would be prepared to ask them in writing where you’re going because often times they tell you you’re going somewhere, then they’ll send you to a place you don’t want to go.

By nature lover on Oct 3, 2009 | Reply

God Bless you girl. Work out until you can’t work out no more, run until you can run no more, lift weights until you can’t lift no more and they will take you to even higher levels of achievement. You will learn just how strong the human spirit really is. Best of luck, make us all proud.

By Tony W on Oct 7, 2009 | Reply

Get your hair cut before you go. Boot camp is about breaking your individuality and making you into a team player, maintain a positive attitude and you’ll be fine…

By eric r on Oct 10, 2009 | Reply

The best advice is for you to be ready. Bu my friend played airsoft with me for about 2 years and he said it was really god for getting ready for armed combat and knowing when to get involved for survival and when to do it just for the win. Don’t get cocky if you play video games and think you will be a great hero, 4 of my friends and their relatives have died that way.

By jillianne on Oct 12, 2009 | Reply

Be prepared to be brain washed with lots of Pro-American propoganda. Oh, and you better like George Bush. Other than that, they will get you into the shape they want you in, and feed you what they want you to eat and tell you how to sleep, dress, etc.

the only real peice of advice I give to women joining the military-bring a bunch of your own sports bra’s because they aren’t issued and they are hard as hell to find when you are in boot camp.

By Cody S on Oct 15, 2009 | Reply

“join a gym and tell them, they will “pump you up”
This is the worst thing you could do as the military do sit ups,flutter kicks, push ups etc. if you get used to working out in the gym the scrawny guy that never ran a day in his life will do better than you.

By pusherhombre on Oct 16, 2009 | Reply

Best advice: Practice those pushups! Concentrate on your form. You have to keep your back straight and lower then raise the entire body as one unit.

You will be doing a lot of these, so it is important to build that strength NOW. Whether you did something, failed to do something, or someone in your platoon screwed up, or just for the principal of it all, you will be on the ground pounding these out.

Also, practice the fine art and discipline of closing the jaws and speaking only after somebody else has stopped speaking. Concentrate on what is being said. Speak without using your arms and hands. When you address a superior, speak with either your hands behind your back or at the position of attention. Do not use your hands to speak.

Thank you so much for volunteering! I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Armed Forces.

Also, go to chapel when you can. It is a one-hour break from the rigors of Basic Training, and the chaplains make a point of serving cookies and punch because they know you are doing boot camp and need the carbs whenever and however you can get it.

By m d on Oct 19, 2009 | Reply

Make sure you get everyone, and I mean EVERYONE you know to send you 1 and only 1 letter, while your away. 10 to 30 pushups per letter in my BCT, based on how far along we were.

Also go running, and do some pushups and situps, or flutter kicks, too, the better shape you are going in the better shape you will be in coming out, then on leave you’ll be a total hottie, so that’s a plus!!!

By mudmarine on Oct 19, 2009 | Reply

Start running,at least 3 miles a day.
push ups,pullups,jumping jacks,you get the picture.
Practice keeping your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open.

By Derrick D on Oct 22, 2009 | Reply

Keep your mouth shut…do what your told….say yes sir/ma’am after anything….. start exercising push ups, sit ups, running in place, holding your feet 6 inches off the floor for long periods, long runs and hikes (good to start carrying about 100lbs of gear in a backpack during this), etc….start going to bed at 10pm and waking up at 4:30 am……teach yourself to eat fast….find specials on tv regarding Marines Boot Camp…comes on every few months will give you a little insight into it.

By Sunshine315 on Oct 23, 2009 | Reply

Pray! For strength. For courage. For protection. For peace!! And mostly for your mom. She’s gonna need it.

By enzo32ferrari on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply

1st Don’t buy any british army books. 2nd, just train yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally because these will be put to the test at bootcamp.

For physical training:

1. Do some pushups or situps build muscle, or go to the gym and hire a personal trainer.
2. Do core workouts (endurance), do supermans, and endurance workouts
3. Run 5+ miles each day increasing it by one mile everyday.
4. Drink water
5. Don’t overwork youself.

Mentally:

1. You will get screamed at and get waken up real real real early in the morning, usually earlier than you are used to. Try and wake yourself up each day at around 3AM (mountain standard time) each day. even if the marines wake you up later, you still have the energy to wake up.

2. You will get shouted at personally, and have constructive (very) critisism by your peers and your seargants. This is to shape you into discipline because the Marines don’t take in traitors or cowards.

3. Get someone to wake you up at 3 am (moutain standard time) by shouting. If you get mad at them, the should tell you how thats going to be in bootcamp.

4. Get a personal trainer to act like a drill seargant when you are working out in the gym.

Emotionally:

1. HOLD BACK TEARS, never ever cry; the marines accept the strong.

Good luck! and thank you for defending our country!

By my2003matrix on Oct 29, 2009 | Reply

Be prepared to do alot of running, sit-ups, push ups, & flexed arm hangs for PFT. Work on being able to hump a pack (carry about 25-30 pound pack on your back for 3-20 miles.) Bearing is very important…be able to keep a straight face when something is funny, pisses you off, hurts your feelings, etc. show no emotion. It’s a great experience, hard work, but totally worth it. Good Luck!

By Ronald A on Oct 29, 2009 | Reply

Here is some information from a website that I think will help you. Remember, The opinion from this website will very from the actual M.S.T. (Marine Standards in Training)

The Initial Strength Test (IST) for Recruits

If you are thinking about joining the USMC, you will have to pass the IST (Initial Strength Test). The IST is a shortened version of the USMC PFT. A recruit only has to do pull-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. The minimum standards for passing the Initial Strength Test are as follows

Male
2 Pull Ups
35 Sit Ups (2 minutes)
1.5 Mile Run – 13:30

Female
Flexed Arm Hang – 12 seconds
35 Sit Ups (2 Minutes)
1 Mile Run – 10:30

(Keep in mind that attending Boot Camp or any USMC training with only minimum standards will not serve you well to be a top performer. In fact, below average minimum standards create more problems for you with injuries, remedial PT/running programs, and distract you from learning your true job — being a Marine.):

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The USMC Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
Male Marines will perform “dead-hang” pull-ups, abdominal crunches, and a 3.0-mile run. Female Marines will complete the “flexed-arm” hang, abdominal crunches, and a 3.0 – mile run with a pull-up option.
Check out this USMC PFT grading chart to figure out where your fitness level stands compared to a U.S. Marine.

In order to pass the semi-annual fitness test, Marines must perform the minimum acceptable performance requirements. Additionally, they must have enough overall points to meet the 3rd class fitness requirements. See this chart for all the requirements.

———————————————–

USMC is a challenging profession and more information can be found at the Military.com Article Archive. For more specific info on the USMC PFT read the following related articles:

Physical Fitness Test Anxiety

Taper Before You Test

One Month From PFT – Help!

PFT: Train for the Transition

The Stretching Plan

Tips for Better Pullups

Pull-up Alternatives

Pullup-Push Workout

Pyramid PT

The Proper Technique for Curl Ups

Running Even Faster

Take 2:00 Off Your PFT Mile

Passing Military Swimming Tests

Free Three Mile Run Workout Plan:

Also: is a good source of information on how to plan.
is also another since this information comes from the Recruit Depot in San Diego.

Top 10 Things to Expect When Preparing for Boot Camp

10. Expect to get sick

It’s inevitable. Just about everyone gets sick at basic training. Whether it’s a head cold or a sore throat, you will most likely not be at your physical best in boot camp. Basic training is too crowded and too fast paced for your body to get enough rest. Your body will be stressed for a long period of time, thus causing your immune system to break down. I personally had such a bad sore throat at boot camp; I was unable to swallow sometimes when I woke up. Further aggravating the sore throat was the Drill Sergeants relentless obsession with having their recruits yell everything they say at the top of their lungs. To reduce your chances of getting sick, drink lots of water and always wash your hands before you eat. Often you will be eating in the field, so always carry a wet nap in your pocket.

9. Expect homesickness

Everyone at basic training is missing his or her loved ones. Keep reminding yourself basic training is only a couple months long. Bring a few wallet-sized pictures with you and a notebook. To ease the homesickness, write letters often and encourage letters in return.

8. Expect the worse

Every year Company A gave a $500 bonus to each of their employees. Jerry never expected any bonus and Randy counted on that $500 bonus as a part of his salary. This year, Company A had an unprofitable year so they gave their employees $250 each. Jerry was very excited and Randy was very upset. The point of this story is that Jerry expected the worse, which was no bonus, so he was happier in the end. Basic training is the same way. Maybe you will be awarded a 2-hour pass, so you can go see a movie. Don’t count on using that pass until you’re at the movies, chances are your Drill Sergeants will revoke that pass because of someone else’s poor performance.

7. Expect drama

The Drill Sergeants will make a big deal about everything. You need to be punctual, fast, efficient, etc. To add to that drama you will be surrounded by scores of stressed recruits. Some of these recruits won’t deal with the stress well. Observe how your fellow recruits deal with stress, you don’t want to push one of them over the edge by saying the wrong thing.

6. Expect friendship and enemies

Upon graduating basic training, it will be scary how well you know your fellow recruits. Most of them you will like, but I guarantee you there will always be one or two you wish you never met. You will need to rely on your fellow recruits often in basic training, so be as polite and helpful as you can.

5. Expect long days and short nights

Your Drill Sergeant will have every second of every day planned. Expect long days with little sleep. Prepare for this circumstance before you leave for basic training. Spend the week before you depart for basic training waking up early (about 4:30am). I know it sounds like a lot of work, but if your not a morning person this exercise will help tremendously.

4. Expect stress

I touched upon this subject in number 7. Your body will be under physical and mental stress the entire duration of basic training. To combat this stress I suggest you prepare for basic training. It’s amazing how much you can actually learn about basic training before ever seeing a Drill Sergeant. I might be bias, but reading The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook is the best preparation you can do. In the 6 short months it was published, it has become a best seller, for a reason.

3. Expect mistakes and failures

Let me tell you this right now, you will fail. If you don’t personally fail a task, your fellow recruit will and that means you fail too. Always try your hardest but don’t be upset at someone because they aren’t as fast or as smart as you. Everyone has his or her strengths and weaknesses. Basic training is designed for you to know what failing feels like so you can form trust in your fellow recruits.

2. Expect the unexpected

Strange things happen at basic training. Some recruits can’t handle the stress, some recruits try to get away with too much, and some recruits just like negative attention. Whatever the case, be prepared to wake up in the middle of the night and do push-ups in the mud because a Drill Sergeant found a candy bar in someone’s locker. It’s going to happen. The night before graduation, a fellow recruit put shaving cream in my battle buddies mouth as a joke. It wasn’t so funny 20 minutes later when all 200 recruits were doing push ups in the snow at 3:30 in the morning.

1. Expect to be deployed

This is the number one question I get e-mailed. “SGT Volkin, my recruiter said if I sign up for [insert MOS here] that I wont get deployed, is that true?” My answer is always the same. “Dear so and so, thanks for

Good Luck and Thank you for choosing to defend our Nation.

By Jordan Bokbok Poknat on Oct 30, 2009 | Reply

EXCERCISE, EXCERCISE, EXCERCISE.. you’re in for a rude awakening.

By John T on Nov 1, 2009 | Reply

A good PT program: Pushups situps, crunches, dips, pullups and regular runs.
You want to work yourself up to 3-5 miles a day of running (every other day will work). On alternate days (or everyday towards the end) get at least 3 sets of each of the above in. Make sure you’re doing good correct iterations of each. That’s more important than how many, but you want to push yourself as hard as possible. In 3 months that part will be a breeze.

I don’t know if the marines call it a “smart book” or not, but they are certain to have a manual which has the standards for the various tasks you’ll need to know as a marine. You can start studying this now. Anything you do on this level will help get you into leadership positions in basic and increase your chance for an early promotion. Don’t use it so much as a way to show off, but to help the other recruits. It’ll get you your brownie points without spotlighting you as a showoff.

If and only if you know someone that can teach you firearms well, go to the range and learn. Preferably a marine vet. If you don’t know one, don’t try it on your own. You’ll be better off knowing nothing about firearms than having be untaught bad habits.

Good Luck and good training, maggot. (never take anything personal) You have a great attitude already and I’m sure you’ll do well.

By Jerbson on Nov 2, 2009 | Reply

Prep yourself to get seriouly screwed with. The physical part isn’t that bad after a month but they mess with you to no end. Have you ever heard of sand fleas? Your going to love them.

By smeusmc on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

Ah yes Paris Island… Run, run, run. it is going to be really cold when you go- I was there in December and spent Christmas there.

Learn to keep your Hair in perfect Bun or french braid if it is long enough- Don’t cut your hair before you go Short hair is the worst thing you can do while in training. (I wish I knew that before I went)
They will teach you some hair styles after you get there but it is better if you already know some. Make sure you can’t see any pins or rubber bands.
The best hairstyle is Sock-in-a-Bun it will stay there till you take it out.