How hard is USMC boot camp (Parris Island)?

Question

Truthfully, how hard is it compared to "hearsay" and what you see in the movies? Please, only those who have actually been to Parris Island within the last 10 years respond.

I'm considering joining while I still can. I'm 28, in average shape but working out and running daily (1 mile run). I've been told I need to be able to run 3 miles non-stop before shipping off. Any truth to this? Also, how much harder would it be for an older guy like me compared to the 18-19 year olds? Any advice, stories, or motivational tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

You are not old. Males don't reach the peak of their athletic endurance abilities until the age of 35.

I am not a Marine, but have worked with them extensively in the past. You need to be able to run at least 3 miles. That is the distance of their Physical Fitness Test. In order to do well at boot camp, you should aim for a time of 20:00 or better. Max points is 18 minutes. You also need to work on your situps and pullups, as those are both part of the fitness test.

Answer 2

Boot camp is hard. If you don't like being told what to do, when to do it and how to do it the Corps isn't for you. They (Drill Instructors) will yell at you all day everyday until you leave the Island. 28 is not to old. Get in shape. You have to run 1.5 miles before you leave, the time depends on your age. You have to be able to do some pull-ups and some crunches. If you can't meet these you spend more time trying to get in shape=stay longer.
28 compared to 18/19 year olds: You may have to work harder to do what they do, this all depends on what kind of shape you are and how hard you are willing to work. Being in shape very important to make your stay easier. You also have height/weight standards to adhere to, being a female I'm not sure what those are for you. You can look it up on line. At boot camp they 'prepare' you for what you must do to complete boot camp, the first day you are there you don't have to climb the rope, run the obstacle course and swim qual. Everything comes in time. You should do great as long as you are willing to work hard and do your best. Good luck soon to be devil dog! Semper Fi

Answer 3

My husband went to Parris Island 8 years ago. He states the following: in the beginning, you need to be able to run 1.5 miles under 12 mins, then you need to be able to do at least 4 pullups and at least 40 situps in 2 mins. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be dropped to the PCP platoon (physical conditioning platoon/pork chop platoon) this would extend your training to more than 13 weeks. During your stay, your physical fitness tests will consist of a 3 mile run under 28 mins, min of 5 pullups, and min of 40 situps (you will have to do more physically but these are the basic requirements) As far as dealing with drill instructors, don't look at them and listen to what they say. Pay attention to details, they will tell you what they expect. If an instructor is coming down on you, always keep a good attitude because tomorrow it will be someone else. Everyone is going to have their moments with the DI's and you won't be the first or the last.

Answer 4

Parris Island Bootcamp

Answer 5

In general it's not the physical that's tough, you'll get used to that. It's the mental part that washes out most recruits. I was on the edge of being to heavy to enter boot camp and mediumly out of shape for a 20 year old recruit. I saw several washouts but I made it through. It's all in the mind. If you saw the series Boot Camp (or whatever it was called, Survivor knock off) it was somewhat close to USMC boot camp except for the missions.
I'd do it again.

Good luck.

Answer 6

You better get over to the nearest high school track every day and start running. I went to the Police academy at age 31, I had to run 3 miles every morning plus the other strength training. If I could do it then you can at age 28. In High School my boyfriend went to Marine Boot camp, he said it was hard because he was just an out of shape High schooler. And BYW 28 is not old, You big baby.

Answer 7

Congratulations, you should enjoy aircraft maintenance. Be sure to put in for crew chief at your first opportunity. My advice is the same my older brother gave me, don't take boot camp too seriously. Laugh at the DI's on the inside but never show anything on the outside. They like to play games but the games have a purpose, to weed out those who don't deserve to be Marines. The first few days they will yell at everybody. They are going to tell you to do things that are impossible to accomplish in the time given. Do your very best but don't think you are going to do all that you are asked to do. I don't want to make you think you shouldn't put forth your best effort, that's what you need to do. After a few days the DI's will start concentrating on 5 or 6 recruits who they think will never make it. If you are one of those you aren't trying hard enough. You don't want to be a recruit they single out. Do every thing they say as fast as you can. Try to excel. By the time you get to second phase things will be noticeable easier, third phase is a breeze, you have challenges but you are becoming a Marine. You'll see a big difference in the way you are treated. It's only 13 weeks, it isn't a lifetime. You can get through it. You'll get tougher training later on but it won't be under the stress of recruit training. ALWAYS put forth your best effort, that's a hallmark of Marines. If you do that, people will see it. Don't let yourself get into just getting by after you graduate boot camp. You need to always be taking MCI's and making yourself a better Marine. This will affect you the rest of your life even if you only stay in 4 years.You'll always be a Marine. Make everyone proud of you. Come back and tell us about your experience.

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Answer 8

U.S. Marine boot camps are at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. All female enlisted Marines go to Parris Island. Men go to either, depending on whether they were recruited east or west of the Mississippi River.

Basic training for Marines is a 13-week long program, which is followed by infantry training which is mandatory for Marines of all military occupational specialties (MOS). The Marine Corps' 13-week long recruit training is the longest in United States Armed Services. All Marines receive follow-on schooling conducted at the Schools Of Infantry located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (for Parris Island graduates) and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California (for San Diego graduates). Marines with an Infantry MOS (03XX) are assigned to Infantry Training Battalion (ITB) companies A-D. Marines with non-infantry MOS designations go to Marine Combat Training Battalion (MCT) companies E-H. ITB and MCT are both run by the School Of Infantry, but MCT is a more generalized form of training whereas ITB is MOS specific. After graduation from the School of Infantry, Marines who have a non-infantry MOS will continue on to yet another school for training in their specific job field.

Answer 9

It is hard both physically and mentally. They are trying to teach you team work. I made it through boot camp just fine because i did what i was told to do and was never the guy who stood out as either a leader or the loser. The drill instructors always seem to single those out. So be prepared physically before you go and remember attention to detail and team work is what counts and you will be fine.

Answer 10

The Corps will tear you down to what they want, then rebuild you into a Marine. Thousands have done it before you. You can do it, too. Once you graduate, you will forever be part of a very elite group of men and women who took the challenge and succeeded. Marines get the most respect of any service from the public. To be a Marine is to be the best. I say "Go for it!!"