I'm leaving for boot camp in 7 days!!! anyone have any good advice?

Question

I'm going into the Marines, so thirteen weeks of boot camp lay ahead of me. So I'm just looking to see if anyone's got a few good pointers for me. Preferably advice from Marines.

Answer 1

The first few days, in receiving aren't that bad. Where they really blow you away is your first few days with your platoon. They will bring in extra DIs and ride you harder than the rest of the time. Don't misunderstand me, they will be on your @$$ until the day you get your EGA, but the first week is the worst. if you aren't supposed to be talking, keep your mouth shut, if you are supposed to be talking, sound off as loudly and enthusiastically as possible. Don't get an attitude, and do whatever you are told as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Your DIs are going to be jerks, @$$holes of the first order, that is their job, and it isn't a personal attack. Remember that. If someone is falling behind, help them, because there is no individual effort in Marine Boot Camp. If one person fails, the whole platoon will pay.

Oh, and trust me, 10 years from from now, you will look back on Parris Island and realize that as absolutely miserable as it was, it is also the most important and life changing thing you will do until you have kids.

Oh yeah, don't let your friends send you any letters or packages with anything on the outside besides name and address. And don't let them send you anything that will earn you large ammounts of quarterdeck time.

So, in conclusion, Boot Camp will suck. It is designed to. But it will make you a stronger person, and you will look back on it with pride. Enjoy lovely Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, home of the hottest, most humid weather, the most vicious sand fleas, and loudest sadists on planet Earth. You to will learn that drinking water can be a punishment.

EDIT: This is a big one. This is NOT the Army. They are not Drill SERGEANTS, they are Drill INSTRUCTORS. Start and end every sentence with Sir or Ma'am.

Answer 2

I went to boot camp 4 years ago so this may not apply any more but... Try to get (and keep) a job while in boot camp. Either on the Ship's Staff or being a section leader within your Division. Its an easy way come out of boot camp as E3 I cleaned the head the whole time I was in boot camp which allowed me to hide out a lot, but I had to wait over a year to make E3 the real way. Oh and if you're black or hispanic they have this thing called a no-shave-chit. Get one of those as soon as possible.

Answer 3

just try not to cry on the first week of boot camp. The drill sgts. wil scare the pants off you when they get on the bus. I pratically jumped out the window. Here's some good advice:

1) Don't ever make eye contact with a drill sgt.

2) On the first day be prepared to carry your duffle bag to your bed, try and get a bottom bunk!!!

3) Always lock your things, There are many theives in the military and brown hats will take your stuff too.

4) volunteer when ever they ask for someone, even if you don't know what it is( They like those guys)

5) Don't ever talk in the cafeteria

6) just mind your own business

Answer 4

It will be very tough, both physically and mentally. The physical part is probably easier than the mental part. Just remember that boot camp is to weed out the weaker troops. If you can make it there, being a marine will be easy.

And remember that no matter how tough it is, and how you will wish you didn't do it, you will always look back and enjoy your time and boot camp, and laugh about the things they made you do.... :-)

Answer 5

Boot Camp is not as hard as people try to make to sound!!! Remember the they can only quater deck you or keep you in the pit for so long. Not because there is a time limit but because they have something else to do or somewhere else for you to be. Mentally it may be draining to you but it really shouldn't. Just remember everything that they do is just a scare tactic and it is only so real! (they can't hit you etc.) If you DON'T want to do something volunteer for it. That way it looks like you're "motivated" and willing to do anything that is asked so they will pick someone who is acting like they don't want to do the task. Try to be in decent shape when you get there it will make things easier for you during P.T.. the Pit, etc. Listen to what's being told to you so that you can get it right when asked to do something. Stay quiet unless they want you to be loud or whatever. And if your boyfriend/girlfriend leaves you while you're gone...Don't worry about it! Continue training and remember that they were'nt real in the first place! Have fun (as much as you can considering the situation) stay motivated!!!

Answer 6

Everyone here has given good advice to you.
It is going to be you to ultimately to decide what you take with you.

I learned in the military not to volunteer. I can tell you to look straight ahead, answer when spoken to. You will do something dumb in boot camp. I would say most people in boot camp will say they have had to do extra push ups.

Your 13 weeks will go fast. You will be glad when you be done.

Answer 7

I say that you enjoy you last days home and enjoyig people you like. I am in the Army, my sister in the Navy and I have a brother in Marine boot camp. It is all a mental and physical game to get you to break down so the military can slowly build you back up. I say enjoy your last days now because if you are not in good enough physical condition now oh trust me, they will get you there. Now is the time to get all your goodbyes in, write down addresses and phone numbers so you will have them. Double check with your recruiter on things to bring with you. DONT BRING TOO MANY ITEMS. you will be stuck carry all that stuff to numerous places that will drive you nuts. Double check to make sure you have all your needed documents like your diploma, shot records are really important the military loves to stick people, and etc. But again, have fun at home. You will miss these things once they are gone.

Answer 8

Sorry not a Marine went thru Army Infantry and the best advice I can give is similiar to what everyone else will say. Keep your mouth shut, your ears open and pay attention to detail. Dont ever be first and never be last. If you do well the instructors may have never known your name.

Answer 9

Do as told, don't suck up but don't be a pain in the a**. Remind your family/friends NOT to send you food, that will just be a royal scr*w for ya. Study what they give you. If you don't already know your Marine Corps Orders, I'd suggest learning them or at least reading them now to get a head start. Learn your rank structure if you don't already know it. In order to make your rack faster, don't sleep under the covers. The sandfleas will hurt like a MF just try not to flinch.

That's about it.

Answer 10

As a parent of 2 Marines, who braved their 13 weeks at Parris Island, all I can say is....Keep your head up, listen, give 100%, and eat as fast as you can, because you're limited on time.

If you're aware of the 54 hour crucible, fear not, it's not as bad as some ppl make it to be. The gas chamber also isn't that bad. Just make sure not to snot all over the inside of the gas mask, truly embarrassing....

I don't know you, however, you must be a strong person to pick the toughest [imo] branch of the military. Once in Parris Island, just remember this, you are strong, you have the desire and will to succeed, you are one of this Country's best and you'll do what it takes to be just that.

I wish you the best of luck!!

Semper Fi all the way!!!