I want to become a Marine, how should i train, physically?

Question

I'm 16 years old and i want to enlist with the Marine Corps when i turn 17. The problem is, I know I NEED to be physically fit. Also mentally, and everything else, but right now im conserned on how i should prepare myself physically. I talk to a recruiter at my school and he said i should be physically prepared BEFORE i go through recruit training. So any suggestions on what i should be able to do would be helpful.

Answer 1

You've received some good answers; I would summarize them by saying you need strength and stamina. Your recruiter may be able to tell you how best to prepare for boot camp but, if not, your stamina can be increased through running, biking, and swimming. Your strength is best increased in the gym.

Remember - stamina doesn't mean speed, it means the ability to keep going for extended periods of time. Running longer distances will increase your aerobic capacity (the ability to keep going) and running shorter distances at a fairly fast pace a couple of days a week will increase it even further that just running longer distances alone. Not knowing your condition, I'm afraid I can't be more specific in terms of the distances and times you should be running.

In any event, the Marines WILL turn you into a Marine no matter what physical condition you show up in; it's your heart that will determine your success. Good luck!

Answer 2

First, I commend you on being a young man whom wants to represent our Country while we are in War.

The mindset of the military as a whole is to break you down so they can build you up again. This will make you more capable to to withstand physical and emotional experiences to handle the possible horrific experiences of war. How do you break someone down? Deprivation of sufficient food, sleep, sound mind from insults, and physical exhaustion. People as a whole forget their differences once a natural disaster hits, the unit will become close nit as the disaster in this case is the Trainer.

The hardest part will be mental. There's no real answer on how to handle this, but many people lean on their faith and foundations that helped them survive negative experiences in their past.

To offset part of the mental you need to be physically trained for endurance to handle exhaustion. Jogging and swimming are the best way to raise your heart rate. You will be doing your share of push-ups and sit-ups so there's no time like the present to start.

In conclusion, you need to make sure you are ready for the hostile environment you may be getting into with no way out after Basic Training and Tech School. WARNING: Do not believe what you recruiter says, he's on commision. Yes, I understand he is probably great, but be realistic. You are doing a great step in going online for comments. If you talk to someone face-to-face in the Marines that would be very beneficial. Don't know anyone? If you're in a military town be bold and walk up to a member in uniform. They will probably be happy to answer any questions you have. I wish you well in all you do.

Answer 3

Go out for track, this is the #1 base you need. Next, would be weight lifting, for building those muscles. Are you in band or have a drill team at your school that you could join, tossing flags and/or the wooden rifles, these are also good basics for drills. My daughter was practicing the rifles outside, one day, and a football player came up and asked if he could try the drills with the rifles. That football player is now on the Marine Corp Rifle Team-- the one like in the movie AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN. God, is he good.

Answer 4

Get your voice to go lower and start hollering things like: "Yes sir - No sir", "Yes Drill Sergeant", "Can do sergeant". Start your physical conditioning by alternately walking and running in a safe area or around your block and gradually speed up your time. Go on cross country hikes/runs in the mountains. Lift weights at the gym. Watch your diet. After a couple of months of this, you should be able to get in the Marines.

Answer 5

Get a backpack and load it with about 15 pounds of sand. Start hiking as far and as fast as you can. Increase weight, distance and speed slowly until you can do at least10 miles with 50 pounds. Trust me, you'll be walking further than that with a lot more weight in the service.

Answer 6

Train mentally, the Corp will train you physically.

Answer 7

Learn how to run , train your heart , that is the most hardest and important part of any form of physical activity.

Answer 8

by the time you are old enough to join, the troop count will be so depleted because of this poorly run, pointless waste of lives our government calls a war - that you will be accepted into the marines just as long as you can hold a weapon --- don't sweat it, your in if you want to be

Answer 9

Thanks Eddie for wanting to volunteer to serve your county. Any sort of sports would be good. Its a primer for team work also they will help out with the fitness part. Ask your recruiter if he or she agrees.

Answer 10

Make sure you have a strong back, weight training and swimming and running