Marine Basic...?

Question

Not sure if the Marines call it Boot Camp or BT but what kind of shape do you need to be in to get through it alright?

Ive heard thats what the Marines are great at, taking out of shape people and over the weeks making them some of the best soldeirs on earth. But to get to the point; Im in DECENT shape; Im not a big guy or a real strong guy but Im not really terrible either. Im about 5'7, 160 lbs, I can run ONE mile in 6-7 minutes (but any more than a mile then Im SOL), Im not really weak but according to the recruiter you just need to be able to do pushups and sit ups, it was like like 50 in a minute and a half or two minutes or something, and I can do both in under a minute but yeah.

How hard will BT be for someone going in, in fairly decent shape? And what are some things I need to get up or some things I need to get ready for?

Thanks

Answer 1

After you enlist you NEED to do 2 pull-ups, 40 crunches in two minutes, and run a mile and a half in 14 mintues to go to boot camp. We don't care about push ups, that's the Army.
If you can do that you'll pass the Initial Strength Test. The Drill Instructors will take it from there. You probably don't want to go down there doing the minimum. That'll just put more on you to accomplish. (Those scores are failures on the real Marine Physical Fitness Test you'll take before you graduate)

Answer 2

I am in the Army and not the Marines, so I cannot speak for boot camp, but going through WOCS is probably a lot more difficult than Boot.

My best advice to you is to try to be in the best possible physical condition prior to arriving, and not allowing them to "whip you into shape". There is a lot more to boot camp than just PT, such as marching, mental overload and rifle training. For the sake of being able to handle those tasks along with the heat, you need to be in good shape before even attending, to make it the least miserable as possible.

DI's, DS's, TAC's triage there assigned units right off the bat. They are limited in time and energy as well, (but hide it so much better lol). They see who is going to struggle the most with academics and give them "help" my requiring additional studying and quizzing (for which you will be smoked for incorrect answers). They do the same with PT. If you are in the bottom 1/3 of your class in PT, they will do everything within there human and godly power to ensure you will pass the apft with flying colors, and this usually will mean a lot more "special attention" and sore arms in the process.

We had one guy who just could not do pushups for crap. They noted this, and i swear the poor guy had to do 1000's a day between PT, platoon smokings, individual smokings and being tasked to do 20 everytime an NCO or Officer came by (which can be a lot if they are all 'playing' the game).

Look, I'm not here to demoralize you. I was one of those guys who showed up in the bottom 1/3rd in PT and made it through, but the moral of the story, and in retrospect, don't add any more avoidable stress or attention from the trainers than you will already have coming.

Now, as far as training, I recommend doing at a minimum: X ammount of pushups every hour on MWF, increasing by 5-10 each week and doing the same with situps on THF. At one point in the day, you should do 3 sets back to back with only i minute rest in between, and then tack on a set of close arm and widearm. Do the same with flutter kicks, 6"s etc. Push yourself to the point where you are going to puke once a day. It helps lessen the "shock" when you get down there.

Also, you probably need to get yourself to the point of being able to run at a minimum 3.5-4 miles, before heading down there.

Do as much as you can to study culture, military courtesy, drill and cermonies, rank structure, etc before you get down there as well for the Corps. You can find all of this by doing a google search. This will all help get you a step ahead of the game as many others will honestly try to show up fat, outofshape and clueless as to the military. This will help lessen the chance of you becoming a "DI Magnent".

Good luck to you. Take pride in yourself and your service. Give 110% and stay motivated and positive. Your DI's may continue to scream at you like they hate your guts, but inside they know you are doing your best. Remember, they are there to train you so you do not go out and get yourself killed and your fellow marines. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY ARE TEACHING YOU!

Answer 3

well as far as the run your PFT which is your Physical fitness test is a three mile run and i think you have 22 mins or something like that to do it in, something around those lines. Talk to your recruiter he can give you all the info you need to know for your PFT. as far as everything else it seems like you are in good shape just keep working at it more and more.

Answer 4

Marine boot camps are training camps for would-be marines. They are conducted at Parris Island, South Carolina and in San Diego, California. Courses are designed for training recruits in physical fitness, discipline, management skills, technical knowledge and general aptitude for marine life. The basic training program is a 13-week course, which is followed by an infantry training. This infantry training is conducted at Camp Geiger, North Carolina for Parris Island trainees and Camp Pendleton, California for San Diego trainees.

Training at a marine boot camp is not just physical, it is mental as well. Recruits are taught the basic moral values of marine life-Honor, Courage, Commitment. Recruits are not allowed to communicate with their family and friends, and they are taught the basics of marine life in the confines of the boot camp. It is a strenuous process, which culminates in the transformation of a raw recruit into a hardened marine.

The first step at a marine camp is Recruit Receiving. Recruits are instructed in their life at the camp, given their gear, toiletries and a haircut. Medical tests are performed, and recruits are made to do certain exercises like sit-ups, pull-ups, running, etc. to determine their physical capabilities. Forming follows this, when the recruits meet their instructors. Basic marching and discipline is taught at this stage. After this come the Drills, where marines are made to work together in moving from place to place. This is the time when recruits learn of the significance of synchronization in marine life.

Then comes a period of Physical Training, during which the instructor stands on a table and supervises the recruits as they perform exercises. Even marine courtesies, discipline, decision-making, etc. are grilled into the recruits' minds at this stage.

The basic attraction of the marine boot camp is the Confidence Course, which is a 11-station obstacle course in water. Recruits have to score at least a Combat Water Survival score of four in order to progress beyond this stage. Basic Warrior Training follows, when the recruits have to pass the gas chamber test. Other survival skills are taught in this period.

But the most difficult period is the Crucible. This is a period when recruits are deprived of sleep and food and are made to march for as many as 40 miles, encountering obstacles along the way. During this period, recruits are expected to help each other along to survive. Many marines consider this period as the most unforgettable period of their lives.

After a final physical test and conclusive training, recruits are graduated to marines. Family and friends are invited to a ceremony at the Shepard Field Parade Deck as the fresh marines are awarded their posts in the US Marines.

Boot Camps provides detailed information about boot camps, navy boot camps, marine boot camps, army boot camps and more. Boot Camps is the sister site of Troubled Teens Web.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Marine-Boot-Camps&id=137230&opt=print

It's important that you get into some semblance of physical shape. Concentrate on running three miles and long marches (up to 10 miles). Sit-ups and pull-ups are also important. If you are unable to perform basic exercises, you may spend a significant amount of time in PCP (the Physical Conditioning Platoon). PCP is tough: PCP's objective is physical fitness, and that's what you'll be conentrating in while in the program. Individual remain in PCP until they can While it is normally a 21 day program, once you're in, you don't get out until you can do 3 pull ups, 40 sit ups in 2 minutes, and run 3 miles in 28:00 minutes.

If you arrive overweight, your Drill Instructor will put you on a "Diet Tray" for your meals. (On the other hand, if you arrive underweight, you may be put on "double-rations.")

In Marine boot camp, you'll start drill almost immediately. A few hours studying basic drill and ceremony will help immensely. As with the other services, you should memorize U.S. Marine Corps Rank.

Additionally, your recruiter should have told you to memorize the 11 General Orders for a Sentry. While not mandatory, the Marine Rifle Creed is nice to know. You should also memorize the Marine's Hymn, all of it, if possible, but at least the first verse.

Wait -- that's not all (I told you it was tough). You'll need to memorize the USMC Core Values, study Marine Corps history, and commit the characteristics of the M16A4 Rifle to memory. Round all of this out by memorizing the Code of Conduct.

If you don't know how to swim, try to learn before you leave for boot camp. Before you graduate, you'll have to demonstrate basic swimming skills.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinejoin/a/marinebasic.htm