At PISC, I had 2 hours of H2H, 5 days ICT and hygiene, check writing classes. Do you think your boot camp training was sufficient?

Cpl D L Parker — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 15:16:26 -0500

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Jan 30 at 2016 3:21 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 15:21:48 -0500

Yes - the lessons I learned at Parris Island back in 1993 have stuck with me. I was a college graduate at that point so I knew how to write a five paragraph report. I went on to be in airfield management so I did a lot of writing especially with flight schedules and other daily reports.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 3:24 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 15:24:38 -0500

I went through Boot Camp at MCRD, San Diego, in June 1968. Boot Camp was an introduction to the basic lessons of being a Marine. I though it was sufficient when combined with ITR and the training I received for my MOS.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 30 at 2016 3:51 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 15:51:22 -0500

2nd BN, Hotel Company, PLT 2064! I remember how absolutely difficult boot camp seemed at the time... Looking back on it, it's amazing how different the perspective of a 17 year old me and 33 year old, seven deployments later me can be ;o)

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jan 30 at 2016 4:16 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 16:16:01 -0500

I went through 10 weeks at Parris Island & it was just the beginning of my Marine Corps training. This was just after Korea and DIs really stressed PT along with classroom lectures.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Jan 30 at 2016 9:29 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 21:29:12 -0500

When I look back at the Era I served in. My training was sufficient. But today, one can't get enough training, you have so many wishy - washy political leaders that change their minds on military strategy like the wind changes direction.i would need a class on the subject of Uncertainty.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 10:55 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 22:55:08 -0500

I know one thing: unlike the Boots shown, I never saw a newspaper for nearly four months!!!

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jan 31 at 2016 1:29 PM

PO3 David Fries — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 13:29:58 -0500

I know I just went through Navy Recruit Training, but even ours did not cover some of the topics the OP mention. Granted, we had very limited combat training. It was primarily ship safety, fire fighting, and other typical Navy stuff. Everything else you are expected to learn either OJT (if you go straight to the fleet) or school.

Response by SGT Stephen Gober made Jan 31 at 2016 7:31 PM

SGT Stephen Gober — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 19:31:57 -0500

13 weeks on the Island and I still think that it was entirely sufficient for boot camp. Between MCT and my MOS school they turned out sharp minded Marines ready to take on the true training of learning the ropes of being a good Marine from those above. I guess I was blessed early with learning that everyone has something to teach you, both good and bad, from my Senior Drill Instructor. Those who serve as your superiors can be a great resource if you show them that you're not only worthy of their experience and wisdom, but that you also have the drive to succeed in passing that accumulated knowledge to peers and lower enlisted alike. I've been out of the Corps since 1997 and I still don't pass up an opportunity to learn from others. I also don't sit idly by when someone is in need of correction as the need arises. I firmly believe that too many of us disregard this part of our training after we step across the parade deck.

Response by Capt James Kerins made Feb 2 at 2016 9:59 AM

Capt James Kerins — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:59:55 -0500

what is H2H ? We never saw a newspaper in PI in my day. When your in boot camp it is BASIC training so you don't need to know what the current events in the paper are. You should be too busy training to be a Marine.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2016 9:21 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 21:21:33 -0500

As quite a fresh sailor, I can definitely answer that with a resounding "No". I feel that RTC was a good experience (I hope I'm not the only one that enjoyed it), but could have been, and well should have been tougher. Now, I had some tough RDCs; our skipper came down and capped one of ours in front of us, but the rules of what they can do these days are so stringent, and almost daycare-oriented that I feel like most other recruits were hardly effected. We probably spent more time in a classroom learning how to manage our finances than we did learning anything pertinent to our service. The physical aspect was severely lacking, and our Fleet LCPO sat down and told us that the PT regimen allowed is 'freaking bullcrap', to paraphrase him politely.

NATTC, Pensacola for ABH specialization was better, but still quite lackadaisical. 13 (in class) days of training. I spent much of my time at the bar on base, and was still in the top percentile of my class.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 2 at 2016 11:51 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 23:51:06 -0500

Cpl D L Parker SORRY- I can't help myself. Do the DIs teach Marine recruits how to read also?

Response by LCpl Michael Cappello made May 30 at 2018 11:56 AM

LCpl Michael Cappello — Wed, 30 May 2018 11:56:03 -0400

13 wks. Recruit Training taught us many things. First and foremost NEVER QUIT. The only thing that might be able to stop a Marine is death. Second is training only began there. We would be perfecting the weapon that is the US Marine, the rest of our lives. So, while our training was exemplary, it was only the beginning.