Are there any military camps where people can go to see if the armed forces are for them before enlisting?

Question

I am interested in finding a camp that works like boot camp but does not require enlisting in a service branch. That way, I could see if I was cut out for military life before ever having to enlist.

The difference being that I don't know if I want to serve for the full time...but I definitely want to be involved. And no, I'm not afraid of body bags or war or injury or I wouldn't even be asking, now would i?

Answer 1

I do not think that basic training or boot camp will tell you if you are set up to be a soldier, sailor or anything else. Basic training is just that... basic. I commend your desire to test the waters but it would be better to sink or swim. The US military offers so much to so many. Yes, there are nay-sayers who have much to say about something they know little to nothing about. If you really want to know.... speak to people who are enlisted. Not just recruiters because they have an agenda. Talk to people who have recently come back from basic, been enlisted for anywhere from 1-28 years.... do your own research. You will find the truth. And if you do go in, thank you and if you choose not to, do good somewhere else. Do something that matters.

Answer 2

Boot camp isn't like the service. It just acquaints you with the rules and regulations, service-specific nomenclature, and generally about what you might be doing when you're deployed.

No civilian camp, para-military or whatever, is going to give you that. The military is like any job contract job. You sign a contract to a job. If somewhere along the line, you find you have to do something you don't like... tough. Nobody promised you a rose garden. The Constitution only guarantees you the right to PURSUE happiness. When your hitch is over you'll have gained some experience you couldn't have gained in any other way. You''ll probably have traveled to places you would never have gotten to see otherwise. You'll have received training that can't be matched anywhere in the civilian world... and some of it is transferable to a regular college. You'll have accumulated some money for college. And while the nay-sayers and malcontents are reading forth and firth-hand accounts of the news, you'll be out there making it. And, you'll be serving your country.

Sure there's danger. But more people get killed on highways on a three-day weekend than in that same period anywhere in the military today. And those on the highway kill each other by choice.

Answer 3

Sorry, Crys, I don't think there are any such "boot camps" sponsored by U.S. military services. Your next best approach to finding out what you want to know is to visit with some service personnel. The staff in the recruiting offices might be able to steer you to a USO or some other place where you could meet and talk to active duty people your age. I'm sure most of them would be happy to be straightforward with you and give you a good idea whether or not the military is for you. The recruiters also have videos you can view and other materials you can take home and look over. Good luck.

Answer 4

Boot camp has very little to do with what the military is like. Its just a way to weed people out. You might as well spend time in jail for all the comparison you would get. And dont worry about whether or not you can make it through boot camp because all you have to do is quit but they make it pretty hard for you to want to quit.

Here is my idea of comparing services.
Marine: carry a 50 lb backpack 10 miles
Army: carry a 10 lb pack for 50 miles
Navy: can you stand total boredom and still do your job (ship life)
Air Force: can you work for assholes and still do your job
Coast Guard: closest thing to real combat without leaving home

Answer 5

Military boot camp is the real deal... you could most likely find one thats close, but not 100% like military. Also military life goes way farther than boot camp... thats only a couple months long (depending which branch you go into) So, try and learn whats beyond boot camp. Thats what you need to focus on more. You could even go and take the test and see what fields you can go into.

Dont base your decision on boot camp alone!

Answer 6

Well first off, Military boot camp, isn't normal military routine.

Boot/basic is only a couple months long.

You can not use that as a comparison, to see if you would like the military.

So finding such a camp, might give you an idea of boot/basic, but it would tell you nothing about whats it's like in the military on a day to day basis.

Answer 7

in case you won't be in a position to stand the "friendly fire" of your loved ones, what makes you think of you could face the unfriendly fire of an enemy? make certain which branch you decide directly to connect. when you have achieved that, tell them you're 19, you're an grownup and you have desperate to connect the (military/military/Air tension/Marines.) via having an business enterprise plan on your recommendations, you would be extra suitable in a position to deal with their comments. And solid success...

Answer 8

you don't have to visit any camp to know if the military is for YOU. we have about 3700 body bags in iraq over a lie. or you can look at those soldiers coming back from iraq without arms or legs or whole brains.

Answer 9

Don't do it unless you want to die - it's nothing like what the recruiters say it is PLUS boot camp is EASY; I did the Navy bootcamp and it was cake, unless you're fat (then it just sucks). Stay in school, I don't believe the MGIB will be available when I need it!

Answer 10

Yeah they are located in California you get the chance to surf and check out the hot girls as well, the D.I. call YOU sir and bring you cool drinks!

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