What are some tips for getting prepared for Marine Basic Training?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 19:51:40 -0400

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 8:17 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 20:17:04 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member Run and work out so that you are in shape for Boot Camp. Having the right attitude is important as a big part of Boot Camp is mental. Do what you are told without question and stay squared away. Listen closely and be observant. Help your fellow recruits when you can. I went through Boot Camp in 1968, but still have vivid memories from that experience. As a Marine, you will have challenges and adventures to look forward to. Please let me know if you have any questions that I can answer. When do you leave for Boot Camp?

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Apr 4 at 2018 8:48 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 20:48:24 -0400

Run and do endurance training. Study your general orders and attend all the pool functions

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 9:28 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 21:28:09 -0400

Get in shape, but mostly get your mind right. That being that you're not going to quit, no matter what. Once you adapt to the program just give 100% at all times and pay attention. That happens fast, so be prepared. The first day after DIs introduce themselves will be an eye-opener. All hell breaking loose is a good description. So, expect it and don't panic. Anybody in shape with the right attitude can make it. No fear or doubt. It will really suck if you're not in shape, but with the right attitude you can still do it. Run distance, wind sprints, circuit training with exercises. Upper body i.e. pull ups and push ups. Sit ups or crunches for abs. You'll do many of all these while there, so get ready. Assuming you're in decent shape, it's mostly self-discipline, constant motivation, and your mindset not to quit. One day at a time will get you through it. Good luck.

Response by LCpl Brandon Joseph made Apr 4 at 2018 11:36 PM

LCpl Brandon Joseph — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 23:36:32 -0400

After getting in contact with a recruiter start exercising if you haven't started. Mainly endurance, running, try doing some high intensity exercises. Your recruiter if they are above and beyond will workout with you if you ask.
Get your mental state strong. Remove unessesary stress that will take your mind off training. Also ask your recruiter for knowledge to get a step ahead abovevsome of the otherr recruits.
Most of all have heart, there's nothing strong that a man with odds against him but a heart that refuses to quit.

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Apr 5 at 2018 11:12 AM

LCpl Shane Couch — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:12:24 -0400

Although boot camp is full of high level physical activities, its mostly a mental game. Yes, get your workouts in. Get used to running 3 miles at least once a day, a minimum of 100 crunches and as many pull ups that you can muster. Also, swimming. I was surprised at the amount of recruits that had trouble with the swimming portion, I suggest treading water if you are not already a strong swimmer. If you have someone that can get in your face, scream and crack jokes about you, have them do it. This is going to happen and just pray you don't crack a smile. Discipline is huge! If you take long showers, figure out how to get them done in less than 2 minutes. Ask your recruiter for a list of your general orders to study along with whatever history they are also teaching now. Ask them to help you with MCMAP. Poolee functions are great ways to get a taste of what you are in for. I went to my recruiters office every morning to workout. I was also just over 400lbs when I first was contacted. You can do it, just put your mind into it 200%. Good luck.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 5 at 2018 11:16 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:16:20 -0400

Exercise, practicing ruck runs, practice keeping your mouth shut.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Apr 6 at 2018 11:12 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 11:12:32 -0400

Go train with the DEP poolees.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Apr 6 at 2018 6:19 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 18:19:38 -0400

My brother told me, "Keep your sense of humor and don't quit,"

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 6 at 2018 6:24 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 18:24:58 -0400

Get physically fit if you are not already.

Toughen up your feet, get some military style boots, put on a pack an force march (about a 12 minute a mile pace)

If you can do a 15 miler (55 minutes walking, 5 minutes resting) without blisters with a 50lb pack, you aren't a Marine yet, but you are light years ahead of your peers.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Apr 8 at 2018 4:10 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 16:10:51 -0400

Lol, don't do what I did after I entered the delayed enlistment program, I basically hung out and drank beer for 6 months.

Well Marines run , and then they run some more. I'd concentrate on heavy cardio and lifting. So I'd run and lift, push-ups, and I'd do pull-ups, it's what your judged on. It's not all that hard, I went in July/Aug/Sept, and I definately learned how to sweat in he SC heat.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2018 4:38 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 16:38:10 -0400

Yes the physical endurance is great and all, but most importantly you have to get mental strength. Accept that you are at the bottom of the totem pole as soon as you arrive and be prepared to work your way back up...all the way to the amazing moment of receiving your EGA. Learn your general orders and research the history of the Marine Corps and beat it into your brain, swim as much as you can before going as it will help your endurance for water training.

You are not far from me, connect with me.

Response by SGT Timothy Stuart made Apr 8 at 2018 5:16 PM

SGT Timothy Stuart — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 17:16:54 -0400

Find out the requirements are to meet at least a 210 on the pft and workout to make it there if you don’t meet that standard. Learn some basic Marine Corps History (where did the blood stripe come from;the marmaluke sword;nickname devil dog; quatrefoil;Tun Tavern;etc). Start weening yourself off of caffeine and sugar if you normally intake a lot of both, your body is going to have to learn how to cope without them for 3 months. Learn some nautical terms like port, starboard, deck, ladderway, hatch, portholes, etc AND their correct use in the Marine Corps. Ask your recruiter and other Marines who are on recruiting assistance for tips.

Response by LtCol George Carlson made Apr 8 at 2018 11:57 PM

LtCol George Carlson — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 23:57:58 -0400

It's 30% physical and 70% mental. Going to SC from TN the humidity will not hit you as hard as it did my NROTC Marine Options going from SoCal to VA, but it will still be a bit more strain on your body for the first couple of weeks. Don't try to "stand out" all the time nor try to hide. Part of what they are trying to build is cohesiveness in your platoon so be part of the team. Lots of good advice here (even from some soldiers who either are Marines or know Marines very well -- they don't stop "being" Marines just because they are in the Army or National Guard now). For most young men the hardest part is keeping your mouth shut unless specifically asked to speak. The only opinion you need to have is that you want to be a Marine so badly that you will not quit, no matter what. That doesn't mean you won't "fall" -- just that you'll get back up. It is so worth it both in the near future, but all your life as well.

Response by Joseph Cota made Apr 9 at 2018 3:16 AM

Joseph Cota — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 03:16:28 -0400

Before I left for MCRD San Diego I was able to do a perfect PFT. I was at peak physical condition and I got chewed up and spit out by the grim reaper, and sent home. But everyone else's comments are correct, work on endurance and conditioning, don't bother too much with weights your rarely going to lift too much more than your own body weight. It'll just be your body weight a couple of hundred times in a row. Get your head right and know why you want to be there. The military, especially the Marine Corps is not for everyone. You will be pushed beyond whatever you previously thought were your limits. Work on your listening, and observational skills i would recommend doing that after 5-10 sprints so your heartbeat is pounding in your ears while you are trying to concentrate. If you're still reading I have to say despite my having been sent home after being hurt it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and gave me the ability to have the discipline to get my degree and go on to other things. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything it changed who I became and I still feel the Esprit de Corps to this day.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2018 6:19 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 06:19:58 -0400

Don’t be a cocky pos

Response by MAJ Raymond Haynes made Aug 1 at 2018 11:24 PM

MAJ Raymond Haynes — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 23:24:48 -0400

You have to understand from the very begining that your mental strength as well as your physical state will be tested. You can arrive at the Island with the mindset that you will be a perfect recruit, but the DI's will still find pleanty of reasons to bust your balls. Do not take it personally, if they are correcting your close order drill or something like that, you better listen up and un-fuck yourself. I'm talking about when you are most tired and pissed-off and they pick on you for no apparent reason. That is their job, they are testing your reaction to high stress. Just look upon it as the same as the PFT or other test. Don't take it personally, remain professional, stay squared away. The DI's will soon learn that your gear is screwed on tight and pick on somebody else. If you do something stupid, expect to pay the price, but the stress evals will become farther between. There is a good chance that they will rotate you as a squad leader sometime during training. Show that you are a leader, if somebody in your squad is doing something in the squad bay or during some other event that you are sure is incorrect, make an attempt to correct his mistake. Not as a DI would, but as a friendly jesture. The DI's will notice you attempt to exercise some new leadership skills. They will most likely find some way to make you life miserable for it, but that is exactly what they are looking for. If you are not ready for that type action, at the very least NEVER not know exactly how many men are currently in your squad. If any are missing know why and where. Just that alone will put you a step ahead of most of the other squadleaders.
There is a certain amount of memory items that you need to know back and forth. One is the Marine rank structure, another is your General Orders. During inspections very common questions are about your weapon, the command structure of your Company, the rank structure of the Marine Corps, and your General Orders. Under normal conditions all this information is no big deal, but with the DI squaring in front of you, trying not to fuck up your inspection arms movement, and him screaming "What's your nineth general order?" You will be surprized how you mind goes blank. Once again this is a stress test , stay calm, do your job, take pride in your professionalism. It is not a bad idea to start learning the rank and orders now so you know them cold. Go over all your memory items every night in the rack before you go to sleep. (If you can, the days are long)
The next area is your physical preparation. Needless to say run, but run smart, find somebody who knows about building speed and endurance, without becoming injured before you even get there. Stay well hydrated, they will teach you about this and take them at their word...Drink your fucking water. In addition to your cardio training work on your arm and especially core strength. Many of the physical tasks require rope climbs and the ability to pull your body over shit. This requires are and core strength. I'm not talking about impressing the girls with your great mussles, that can come later, I'm talking about improving pull-ups, rope climbing, and balance. If you have a fear of heights, loose it, if you can't swim learn, if you have never been around firearms, start. And the most basic of all physical rules is NEVER I mean NEVER be a run drop. You will not only be a piece of shit to your DI's you will also loose the respect of the other recruits. Don't let this happen under any conditions, if you finish the run with puke all over the front of your shirt, request permission to eat it again, because you do not want to waste any good Marine Corps chow.
By now you should be starting to get the idea, don't be a pussy, never complain about pain. If you have a legitment injury bring it to the attention of the DI's. They check you out every night before lights out, it's better to let them find it and decide what to do. Never whine, piss,or complain. The DI's are not there to fail you, they are there to evaluate if you meet the "current" standards to become a basic Marine, and one of my brothers. The other services will never understand what exactly that means without going through the process themselves. You will become a member of one of the greatest Frats in the world, and every Marine before and after you will be your brother. I will be very pissed off if they let anybody join my frat without making sure that you pack the gear to watch my back, and the back of every Marine you meet for the rest of your life. Do not look at bootcamp as a negative thing, revel in it, soak in the training and the history of the Corps, understand that you will break out of any shell you may of used as support, and stand tall as one of the few and the proud. You may be in for only 2 years or in for 30 years, you will always know you earned the title of US Marine. When you die, you will still be a Marine, just a dead one. When that time comes, a long time from now, say hello to all the other Marines (including myself) who will be at the bar, located on the right hand of God.
Good Luck,
Ray Haynes
Plt.151, ! RTBn., Paris Island, SC
Graduated July 29, 1975
Plt. 151, Honor Man Graduate