Just signed with the Marines. Need advice?

chairman_of_the_bored_04

The more you can prepare in advance, the better off you will be.

It's important that you get into some semblance of physical shape. Concentrate on running three miles and long marches (up to 10 miles). Sit-ups and pull-ups are also important. If you are unable to perform basic exercises, you may spend a significant amount of time in PCP (the Physical Conditioning Platoon). PCP is tough: PCP's objective is physical fitness, and that's what you'll be conentrating in while in the program. Individual remain in PCP until they can While it is normally a 21 day program, once you're in, you don't get out until you can do 3 pull ups, 40 sit ups in 2 minutes, and run 3 miles in 28:00 minutes.

If you arrive overweight, your DI will put you on a "Diet Tray" for your meals.

In boot camp, you'll start drill almost immediately. A few hours studying basic drill and ceremony will help immensely. As with the other services, you should memorize USMC Rank.

Additionally, you should memorize the 11 General Orders for a Sentry. While not mandatory, the Marine RlFLE Creed is nice to know. You should also memorize the Marine's Hymn, all of it, if possible, but at least the first verse.

Wait -- that's not all (I told you it was tough). You'll need to memorize the USMC Core Values, study Marine Corps history, and commit the characteristics of the M16 to memory. Round all of this out by memorizing the Code of Conduct.

If you don't know how to swim, try to learn before you leave for boot camp. Before you graduate, you'll have to demonstrate basic swimming skills.

The other services have lists of what you should or should not bring with you. The Marines make it simple: Don't bring anything except your important papers (such as driver's license, social security card, and banking information), except the clothes on your back. Everything you need will be issued to you. For non-issue items, it will be issued, and the cost taken out of your pay.

Good Luck!

jf850i

well for starters SEMPER FI!

well to prepare for bootcamp keep what your doing in your exercises also prepare yourself for the first week of sleep deprivation....you will be awake for about 3 days.....and get used to being yelled at.....but if your someone who works hard and loves to work hard your set. A LOT of marines love bootcamp. Its where the brotherhood begins.

Just remember you work as a group.....don't forget that.

good luck

bigg_guns78

Be prepared to not see civilization for three months, homesickness kicks in, depend on your buddies and write letters like friggen mad. When facing an actual obsticle course, DO EXACTLY WHAT THE D.I.'s SAY. Everything they will tell you is the easiest way to do it. Don't be first, and don't be last. The less they know your name the better.

sgldadplus1

I'm 48, ahd 3 years of Marine Corps ROTC in high school & became an Airborne Ranger in the Army & saw the "Fall of Saigon" first hand in March of 1975...Booy camp / Basic Training is definately physically challenging and you should ATTACK IT with the desire to get in the best shape of your life, not look at it as punishment or something to get around...But the toughest part of Basic is Mental...They try to break you down to make you conform or weed you out...Be prepared to hear yourself get called everything in the book & have your momma insulted...It's just a mind game...Prepare to let "everything" slide off your shoulders (except your pack) and don't get offended...You'll be OK...Have fun with it...DI's hate that...

vincenzo445

Definately start the exercise like you say...and try to do them witha back pack on if you can. I went to boot, not Marine, and many times you run and exercise with gear on, include exercises like holding a weight in fromt of you for a minute than two, b/c at some point you will probably have to hold your rifle straight out in front of you and if you start to tire and drop your arms, you will probably get push-ups andhave to do it all over again..ask your recruiter to take you on a run, many will do that.
I support you, and dont listen to the AWOL idiots, they will wish they had your guts, and joined when you come home and have so many stories to tell. You will see most of the things in your hometown wont change while you are away, when you go home on leave it is the same, people in the same places doing thesame thing everyday, while you will have been to different countries, completed exciting tasks, and helped change the world.

GOOD LUCK

PinkBrain

I'm not a guy, but was a Marine for 4 years. A good Marine too, not a sh#@ bird. First off, congratulations on signing. That will be the easiest part of your military career. You either love it or hate it. When you get to the airport, they will bus you guys onto the base about 1 or 2 in the morning. As soon as you step foot off that bus, you have 3 or 4 drill instructors yelling at you. They will have you standing along yellow painted feet on the concrete. In the next several hours, they will let you call home for about 15 seconds so you can tell your family you made it. Then you will be issued your camaflage utilities, boots, uniform necissities. Say adios to your hair, you'll receive a high and tight. In the next 3 days, you might get 4 or 5 hours sleep. The drill instructors are not "supposed" to lay a hand on a recruit, but I knew several guys who were given a beating or two. If you don't do something to the D.I.'s specifications, you'll hit the quarter deck. A spot usually in the middle of the squad bay where you do whatever exercises they yell out, until they decide you are done. For the next 3 months, you will be constantly hungry, you will eat food you never liked, you will eat anything you can get yours hands on. No matter how tempted you are, DO NOT try to smuggle food into the squad bay or have it sent from home. Not only will you not get to eat it, you will be punished for even trying. Water is mandatory, you will drink so much of it, you'll swear you never want to see it again. Get used to 30 second showers during the week, you might get a little longer one on the weekends during your personal time. You will be beat mentally from every direction. DO NOT take it personally or you will crack. Just realize that the D.I.'s are doing their job and are trying to make you an outstanding Marine. You will do exercises that you never knew existed. You will hurt in places you didn't know you had muscle. P.T. (physical training) is one way to stand out if you want the attention. If you are good at p.t., you might become the senior's pet. Here are the male standards for P.T.

100 crunches in 2 minutes
20 pull-ups, all the way down, all the way up (chin above the bar)
18 minute 3 mile is the best, 27 minutes and 59seconds is the longest you get. anything over and you've failed.

It's based on a scale,
0-150 (I think) is third class, not a good thing
150-225 is second class, doing better
225-300 is a first class, you're kicking ***

You will shoot an M-16A2 service rifle, which is pretty cool, but you have to qualify with it. It isn't too difficult, but pay attention to the range coaches. You might want to ask your recruiter to help you with drill now, it is a huge deal in the Marine Corps. You'll be marched everywhere, and there's even a drill competition for a trophy. if you don't like the color green, you might want to start cuz that's the standard color for p.t. gear. If you guys get hazed, it might be outside, in which case you'll learn the term, sugar cookie. It's where the D.I.'s take the recruits to a sand pit, and make you do exercises, including rolling in the sand. Mixed with your sweat, instant sugar cookie. You'll learn McMap, marine corps martial arts, you'll learn the basics and earn your tan belt. You'll learn to swim in a skivvie shirt and cammies. There will be female platoons there, they will look really good to you, but don't even think about looking their way, the female DIs will rip you a new one. Answer everything with, yes, sir; no, sir; aye, sir. The louder, the better. You will meet alot of people, not everyone makes it. I think out of a platoon of 40 or 50, about 30 made in mine. Some of them will crack and attempt suicide, you can't do anything about it, it just means that they weren't meant to be a Marine. I could say so alot more. If you are interested in contacting me, here's my email address; 13redorcid@excite.com. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. I got out last year and still work on a Marine Corps base so I'm exposed to it constantly. Good luck to you and remember that's it's going to seem like it will never end, but it will. It's only 3 months.

P.S. Tell your family and friends to write every day. Mail is very important for keeping up your morale when you're asking yourself, what the fu%$ have I got myself into? and feel like strangling your recruiter.

lcayote

go with the idea it will be a experience of a lifetime,a good one,but dont worry,it did not kill anyone i know.

frugernity

Go AWOL and don't look back.

combat barbie

Bravo Zulu ! The biggest thing to remember and continue to tell yourself every 10 mins is this... this is the biggest challange you will face, both mentally and physically. But you will succeed - you have it in you. This course is designed to weed out the weak, but the weak are NOT physically weak, they are mentally not strong enough to keep going - and quit - they quit before thier body physically quits.

Listen to the advice (print it out !!) already posted by ""Keith S"" and remember not to hurt yourself prior to reporting. REST get it while you can. Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate. Dehydration starts even before you feel thirsty - and is hard to cure once you are pushing physical exhaustion. Your urine should be clear!

In fact, I feel its important to quote "Keith S", an obvious leader, and add my own comment for your basic training.

""...Lead by example...do your best at all times...no need to brag about your success's or dwell on your failures.....your performance will tell it's own story in time.....nobody with honor needs a pat on the back for a job well done.....""

Live by this as a moto. Once you've exhausted every fiber of your body, pick yourself up, dust off, and start helping the guy beside you. Teamwork. A soldier does this instictively.

Good Luck. You can succeed.

Eros21

There is no way to prepare for it.
Just stay tough and focused, not everyone can be a MARINE. If you make it know that you can hold your head up high and be proud.

cseehausen

If you smoke, quit now. Just start working out and eating healthy. Good luck and God bless.

Dahlia Jihad

also, i dont means this to be negative. i mean this to be supportive. you sound like a cool guy. really.
dont join the military.
there is no current axis of evil. there are no dictators threatening anone's freedom, other than george W bush.

if you want to make a positive change in this world, join the peace corps.

davidmi711

Keep in mind that boot camp is more of a mind game than a physical game. They are going to push you to see if you break. Do what you are told, follow orders and keep your chin up. I thank you for your service!

For the morons that say to go AWOL, just remember that it is brave young men like this one that gave you the right to express your beliefs no matter how stupid your beliefs are.

dapixelator

good luck-- keep your head down, stay safe, look for a good assignemnt afterwards.

stay focused on completing your first mission-- getting thru boot camp.

lex83201

I would like to say thank you and I wish you luck.

GramParsons

Keep in mind who YOU are at all times. You are being trained to be a elite killing machine, but keep focus on the bigger picture. Good luck to you, and I hope that you find this war over by the time you done training. If not, duck.

professionaleccentric

I don't mean this to be negative, but the only advice I have is to desert.

DOOM

I'm in the army, so I can only give you general advice, but here it goes:

End of july? Parris Island will be hot and humid. Run during the heat of the day, if possible, and I would run farther than 2 miles a day (more like 4). You might also want to practice standing at attention, because you'll be doing a lot of that there (sometimes for three hours at a stratch).

When you go to bootcamp, don't ask qny questions. Let the other guys do that. And someone else will ask the same questions you have.

If you need help getting in shape, it's your recruiter's job. Make him do it.

Good luck. It won't be easy, but it'll be fun when you're not waiting around.

Roadrunner58-79

Good Luck and you did answer your question on the running 2 miles and the rest of the exercises.

machood2002

prepare to die in iraq

Pobept

Don't listen to the cowards, sissy's and wimps! Sound like your doing all the right things, only thing left to do is to mentally prepare your self for the shock of your life, not to worry, you will make it and be graduated soon.
good luck

enlightenment

The occupation has been going on more than three years now, and the situation is worse every day. I think that the only solution is the withdrawal of all the troops.

So you should desert - According to the Pentagon, over 5500 military personnel deserted in 2003â€“2004, following the Iraq invasion and occupation. The number had reached about 8000 by the first quarter of 2006.

The UK military has reported over 1000 deserters since the beginning of the war in Iraq, with 566 deserting since 2005.

GET OUT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

erudite

95 % of the men who join the Marines make it so don't worry. You will be a proud Marine in about 4 months. Just say "No Sir" and "yes Sir". Show respect and you will only be treated like crap for the first 6 months or so. After that it's all brotherhood. Good luck. ( Note:...Don't try and be a hero. If you die you are only news for one day and then you are forgotten forever )

kathy059

Good for you!
Sorry I don't have any advice, but you have my respect.

starting over

My son is in the Navy, attached to the Marines, he starts the morning with a 5 mile run, then they do physical training after that.

I would go increase the length of the run and cut down the time on it.

And Thank you for stepping up to defend those of us who appreciate what you are doing and the simpletons who make the stupid comments.

Be Proud, you deserve it. Good Luck.

aurelie_moineau

Are you DEP? Some advice, run outside on the pavement, in the middle of the day, for five miles, not two. Practice waking up at 4:00 in the morning and going to bed at 8:00 at night. Every other night, wake up for a few hours and go back to bed. And accustom yourself to drinking six pints of water a day. I can not speak for others, but my canteens were my best friends in boot camp.

Tish

First up...thanks for your future service to our country.

Don't know what to tell you about basic, but after that, my advice is this: keep your head low.

Take care & good luck

wolflover72

WHEW, r U in for it! first of all, THANK YOU!! people like you are the ones that have kept us safe this long. Be prepared to be more tired and pushed than u ever thought was humanly possible. RUN WITH WEIGHTS ON!! that'll prepare you for running with your pack on..and u will do that! to all those others that said go AWOL, back out and run---COWARDS!!! u don't have the right to live here! In advance, i appreciate your fighting for this country! SEMPER FI!!!! GO DEVIL DOGS!!

Eren R.

hey good for you i also join the army reserved i'm leaving in 3
weeks of course i'm scared of bootcamp and being away from my family but after i get done with everything i'll feel better about myself and that i got through. it good luck with training and don't regret anything be proud of what your doing -Eren

slagathor238

Mud,

Remember that boot camp is all about separating the wheat from the chaff. If you can't stand to have a man screaming in your face, what can they expect when a man is trying to shoot you in the face? Like others have said, after boot, the whole perspective changes. Don't take it personally and take each day one at a time. Don't think about the next 4 months, think about the next day.

Keith S

Advice from a U.S Army Ranger and a former Ranger School Instructor.

Prep....eat, sleep and exercise moderately. You will need your strength physically, and if your not in shape now, forget it...there is no crash course. DO NOT INJURE YOURSELF B4 you report in.....

B4 reporting...
2 miles a day at a jog...in tennis or running shoes.....

pushups - do 3 sets to muscle failure twice a day....no more.,,
if it starts at 50 reps, so be it....50, 40, 38 or whatever....

pullups or chinups.....
same as pushups,,,,, 3 sets twice a day..

eat smart, sleep well, if you smoke QUIT NOW.....

Sorry, no beer bub...

Prep your mind...
Contrary to all the negative BS answers and crap your gonna get to this question, you are going in for a reason and a commitment.
I myself am very gratefull for your willingness to serve and protect and defend. I wish you great success as a warrior and my family thanks you.

Your commitment and resolve will be tested in boot camp. They want to weed out the week of mind and heart so expect it to be tough.

Look ahead daily, anticipate. Be prepared always.
Teamwork...take care of your squad. Nobody succeeds as an individual...

Guts...never ever quit....not even the least meaningless task. Accomplish all to your best ability 100% and then more even if no one is watching or grading or cares....

Lead by example...do your best at all...no need to brag about your success's or dwell on your failures.....your performance will tell it's own story in time.....nobody with honor needs a pat on the back for a job well done.....

Never leave a fallen comrade brother, and bring back the head of that M#@#$% Osama #@$#%$ that has killed so many good Americans......remember 9/11...

Again I am proud and thankfull for your service.

Semper Fi

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