How do you describe Basic Training/Boot Camp to someone who does not speak Military?

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 20:42:32 -0500

I saw this MEME (these comical cards crack me up), but it really sums up a simple question of how do you describe Boot Camp to someone who doesn't speak Military?

So, I had to put it out there. Thoughts

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 30 at 2014 2:10 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 02:10:52 -0500

I think your card just about sums it up. What is the civilian equivalent for basic.....I was a buck 20 thru high school probably so I assure everyone I have no idea if playing football all through school and into college if that comes close. Prison might be something that addresses the stress of infantry basic. For the most part, I think we are on our own. We understand each other. At least we have that going for us.

Response by Cpl George Goodwin made Nov 30 at 2014 7:19 PM

Cpl George Goodwin — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:19:07 -0500

I tell them to watch the first half of "Full Metal Jacket". As close to seeing what boot camp is like, even the documentaries don't get this close.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Feb 17 at 2015 8:00 PM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:00:13 -0500

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 2:42 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 14:42:13 -0400

"You'll see when you get there" The same thing every Marine I knew growing up told me.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Sep 9 at 2015 9:07 PM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:07:17 -0400

I thought it was a bike ride until we actually met our drill instructor, that's when all hell broke lose and you realized at that moment you made the biggest mistake of your life by joining the Marine Corps instead of the Air Force.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 9:46 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:46:46 -0400

Hell, but with like 15 more devils. (Drill Sergeants or Drill instructors)

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 4 at 2016 7:27 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 19:27:02 -0500

How do you describe a indescribable situation that you find your self into that no civilian would believe things like scraping wax off the floors with your dog tags your first KP duty a story in itself standing in formation dry shaving before morning inspection running up and down stairs doing STRAC drills all that and more it happened to me fifty years ago and I have trouble believing it!

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Mar 6 at 2016 10:32 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 22:32:51 -0500

I honestly didn't think that basic training was that hard. I never got "smoked", never had to dry shave, never did KP or any other crqp jobs. Being a trainee squad leader probably helped but in general I found that if you busted ass and stayed sharp looking you avoided most of the abuse that many seemed to attract. There were plenty of screw-ups to keep the Drill Sergeants occupied. Some of them probably did think that they were in hell.

Response by Cpl Imre Demech made Dec 3 at 2017 7:19 PM

Cpl Imre Demech — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 19:19:39 -0500

you'll never go through anything like Marine Boot Camp in civilian life.

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Feb 14 at 2020 2:55 PM

CW3 Harvey K. — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 14:55:34 -0500

Before I left for Parris Island, a Marine Sergeant explained boot camp to several of us recruits. He told us it was an experience that nobody would pay a dime to go through, but once through that experience, you would not sell it (if it were possible to sell it), for a million dollars.