Comments on: What is marine corps boot camp like?

By: John

John — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:33:33 +0000

If you’ve seen Full Metal Jacket, Don’t beleive it, It dosen’t go that far. Recruit Training is the worst you’d have to go through..

By: Amy S

Amy S — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:34:27 +0000

You can read all the books, all the posts, and you can talk to Marines until you are blue in the face, and you will still have no idea how intense boot camp is. It’s not so much that it is impossible to do, it’s that the level of intensity is so constant, it just wears on you.

I gotta’ tell you, though, there’s NOTHING a Marine loves more than to hear stories about recruits in boot camp. My supervisor at work is an old DevilDog… and he couldn’t wait to read all my son’s letters home from boot. He would LAUGH… and I know he was remembering the experience fondly. So.. it’s something you will always remember, and it will change you forever.

To prepare yourself, work with your recruiter to see what he recommends, in terms of exercise and diet. He’ll prep you for the Initial PFT… and give you tips on running, etc. The only thing I would really recommend is to walk or run a lot, to strengthen your legs, ankles, and feet. Lots of marching the first month, and stress fractures, shin splints, blisters, and bruised heels are common… things like that CAN get your dropped from your platoon into a medical platoon until you can rejoin another platoon… (one that is at the point in training when you dropped out. So you won’t miss a single training day, even if you go to medical.. it’ll just delay your graduation date! )

Boot camp is more about mental strength than physical strength… just so you know.

By: Tyler T

Tyler T — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:16:49 +0000

WELCOME TO HELL

By: Bear

Bear — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:53:11 +0000

Marine Corps Boot Camp…11 weeks of pain and sweat, intensely trained to be a threat.

11 weeks of pain. And pain is weakness leaving the body.

Your body will adapt, they will teach you and you will learn by the numbers. Mental toughness will be instilled. Now, GET OFF MY BUS!!!

By: Brad V

Brad V — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:19:03 +0000

You worry too much, young man. Get in shape, stay in shape, and be prepared to ‘listen up’ when the DI speaks. Speak when spoken to and address the DI the way he tells you to address him.

Most of boot camp is planned routine. Each day will be different from the last, so to tell you what to expect, well……………expect the unexpected.

The best way to prepare for the mental pressure is, keep an open mind ! Nothing in boot camp is impossible. Thousands have come and survived before you. You already have a leg up on most recruits. I can see this by your writing ability. You will be in the upper ten percent of your platoon, so with any luck, you could be a squad leader, that is, if you show that you have leadership potential !

By: mike b

mike b — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:43:12 +0000

Find a school, store, or mile marker about 7 miles away, and run to it and back every day, twice a day. Run 3 miles in 18 minutes. If you can do these you will do fine.

By: upthcrek

upthcrek — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:46:07 +0000

You wan to prepare huh… Get out of bed at 0530, make bed, clean room, Do PT, Run-Run-Run, return to room, SSS, get dressed, go to chow, March-March-March, go to chow, March, drill, march, take class, march, more class, chow, return to room, prepare for next day, sleep pull fire watch, sleep. Get up and do it again. I used room because you are getting ready for Boot not in Boot, this will be similar to what you will do day after day in BC. Good Luck.

Vet-USAF / many Marine Friends

By: FACAS L

FACAS L — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:46:14 +0000

judging by what you said it is tough.

By: stinson2020

stinson2020 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:04:44 +0000

Close your eyes and imagine what hell is like…then open them and close them again and imagine something ten times worse.

By: mike4400

mike4400 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:37:31 +0000

I went thru the Platoon leaders corps and we ran alot and went on some really long marches but, over all It was a great time….really