I am going into the Navy and I m trying to get fit for boot camp. Any suggestions?

Question

I also love my sleep and know that the lack of sleep will be the hardest part for me.Can you train your mind and body to deal with the lack of sleep? I really want to be prepared so I can get as much out of basic that I can. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Answer 1

Work on some really good stretches, and also work on maintaining your stamina. You will do a lot of running, and if you don't stretch, you will break something. You will also do a lot of exercise in your barracks, it's called I.T (intense training, or something of the like), slang term would be "getting beat". It happens a lot during the first 3 weeks, and occasionally when you or your division has done something you weren't supposed to do. It can last up to two hours. This is where the stamina comes in. To prepare for it, you can try a lot of yoga and pilates exercises, because they will have you guys in a lot of awkward positions, and holding them for a long time. Also, work on your push-ups and sit-ups. The more you can do, the better off you'll be. Also, when running, make sure you have a good breathing pattern, because like I said before, you will be running nonstop for a while!! And you don't need to be the best swimmer in the world, but while in boot camp, you will have to jump off a 10 foot diving board and swim the length of an olympic sized pool. If you don't pass this part, you will be held back (won't graduate) until you do so. So work on some of your strokes, and DON'T LOOK DOWN! I think that about covers it. Good luck!

Answer 2

I don't really know how harsh your Navy training is, but I'd recommend taking 10 km runs, which should be possible for anyone (according the the Finnish military at least). After half an hour of running (and I do mean running, not jogging) your fitness will start to improve.

Try to do this in a forest where there's obstacles to jump over, or on the beach for extra credit.

But, in the end, preparation doesn't matter that much, willpower is the most important thing. If you are unfit, the military will make you fit.

And don't worry about sleep. Being tired will become just another part of how your day sucks.
---
I'm not sure the vaseline hint applies for women? I think they don't chafe as much during marches? And I personally had never had a problem with chafing even during the long 50km marches. Blisters come first, at least. :D Does the navy even have marches over there? :(

Answer 3

The longest running in boot I had to do was the 1.5 mile run. This had to be done in 12 minutes girls get a little longer maybe a minute extra. I would suggest you practice your push ups and sit ups. 40 push ups and 50 sit ups every day until boot. You'll also be speed walking or jogging everywhere you go in boot. I found that rifle drill was my most annoying task in boot if you have an ROTC in your school or a recruiter who remembers how to do the rifle drills that would give you a massive edge on your fellow recruits in boot. I hated carrying that rifle on my shoulder everywhere it always banged on my clavical bone what a pain. I hope they've gone to a lighter rifle than that damn M-1 garande the barrels are filled with lead to make life miserable. Well that's my navy boot camp experience at great lakes also known as great mistakes. Oh yeah your days are mostly 0500-2200 except hell week where you'll probably end up in the galley like most recruits your day will start at 0400-2200. You'll never want to see a kitchen again but you will once you get assigned to a ship 30-90 days of such joy! What fun!

Answer 4

Do push ups, sit ups and running. These are the events you will be tested on so work on these. Run at least 2 miles, work at getting it under 12 minutes. Do at least 100 sit ups and 100 push ups as often are possible. Swimming is a big part. If your not a strong swimmer but you can tread water for 5 minutes you'd be ok. As for the sleeping you'll get used to it. Like somebody said in here already, if you can get a hold of a bluejackets manual it will be help full. You can probably find one at a Army/Navy surplus stores. One advice, is do good in your classes and pay attention to detail. They look for these and people that are top in their class have advantages. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Run, a lot. Also do push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups every day. Try for 100 reps.
Run some more.
Get a copy of "The Bluejacket's Manual" and study it at night. That will give you a heads-up on what will be happening. It should be available at your local library. Pay special attention to the UCMJ section.
Above all, learn how to put up with a LOT of nonsense, like having to redo your bunk, find your own clothes amidst the very large pile of all the clothes in your barracks.
Don't worry about the 'harassment', it isn't. It is only the Navy way of building a solid unit of your boot camp company.

Answer 6

this is my advice for you. which by the way all of the others were really good. my hubby went through basic for the navy a few years ago. every divison is different as far as how much running and stuff they have you doing. when you leave for boot camp dont bother packing alot it will only get sent back to your parents the only things they left you have are regular or bikni panties and a toothbrush everything else is issued for get the cute clothes you wont need them or your thong panties. thongs are accepetable every under a uniform and trust they do check. and you will be masted for them. as far as training before hand. run as much as you can and try to make each time out longer start small and work your way up slowly. get a training buddy someone who trains with you. do loads of situps and push ups. for the prt exams that are done one a year you have tobe able to do at least 50 but the prefer 100. and you have to run a mile and ahalf in under 13 minutes. work towards that goal and god luck. the sleep loss you will have to get used to as its no better once your done with boot camp.if you looking towards nuclear science. one of the highest paid fields in the navy you will lose even more sleep. you will learn to sleep as much as you can when you can.dont expect special treatment because your a woman you wont get it. everyone is treated the same you stand the same watches for the same amount of time. for boot camp start small and work up. thats your best bet. too much too fast will be a shock to your system. good luck boot camp is hell

Answer 7

First, luckily you have selected one of the two easiest braches of the military. Besides running in running shoes, they can no longer scream or use abusive language toward you. As much of the Navy’s responsibly is now guarding land, island or rigs the Navy has started using part of the Army’s basic training. You will learn how to shoot, hand to hand, etc. As to sleeping, you can certainly train you're mind I have never used an alarm clock relying solely on my mind. I would get out running, doing chin and sit ups and going on a five hour night. Good luck to you. God bless you and the Southron people.

Answer 8

Okay first off your sleep is gonna go trust me i know. you will wake up nlt 0600 and Taps are at 2200. Depending on your division depends on weather or not you drill with rifles. Learn to march thats a big Help. Females 18-21 have to run the 1.5 mile in about 14 minutes but strive for something like 13. There is no longer anything called hell week they did away with that before i went to boot. Get "grannie panties" they are the most comfortable for what you are about to go through. you need to be able to do at least 28 push-ups and strive for 70 situps. depending on what time of year you go depends on how much you run. If its winter time its gonna be cold there is only one place for recruits thats in IL. if you smoke quit youll thank me for that later. Brings Lots of underwear cause they dont issue females underwear. bring sports bras as well. bring a white full cup bra as well. But dont bring you cell or anything like that watches gotta go to. you wont be allowed to wear any jewlery either except a religious medialion.

Answer 9

Wake up every morning at 4:30 am and go to bed at 7:30pm. Start programming your body. Do some walking every day.
Good Luck and THANK YOU for joining the military.

Answer 10

Run alot. Run on pavement. Running was the worst part for me. As far as sleep, you will get used to it. I used to sleep a lot before I went in, and now I'm making up for all the sleep I lost in the military.