What to expect at Marine Corps Boot Camp?
347502
well if ur east coast good luck. there is a dvd out that called making a marine. they put it on the military channel if u get it. the first month is the roughest. then ur fine. me myself i would of liked it wish i could of went. u well get there early in the morning and thats when the yelling starts. for me to watch it. it pumped me up. i wish u well 3 min showers. yes sir all the time it dont look all that bad. better to go now then back when my uncle went. and marines are hot. sorry! about that. wish u well!
844845
Initial training consists of Marine Recruit Training, & the School of Infantry, training as a rifleman. Students are then assigned to the Basic Recon Course. Upon successful completion of the BRC, Marines report to their assigned recon unit &  receive various professional, technical and tactical training. Among these are:   Airborne (basic and Military Freefall) Jumpmaster, Pathfinder, Ranger, Scout-Sniper, Combat Diver (SCUBA) Diving Supervisor, Mountain warfare & assault climber, Jungle operations, specialized training in urban tactics, Close Quarters Battle & shooting skills, demolitions, communications, photography, controlling aircraft landing operations and directing Airstrikes, Naval Gunfire and Artillery\n\nYES IT CAN BE EXPLAINED!!!!\nhttp://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,Smith_112003,00.html
642009
Thanks for anwsering my question now I will anwser yours.\nI have been in the Army for 6 years now. What is your MOS? (job title) Im a 11B Infantryman. \n\nWhat to bring. Well when I went I was told to bring all kinds of crap and ended up not needing it. \n\nGet a nice new pair of running shoes try and brake them in before you go.\n1-2 towels/washcloths. Basic Hygene kit, razors, 1 can shaving cream, tooth brush/paste, None brakable mirror, fingernail clippers WITH NO FILE, and q-tips. \n\nDO NOT BRING knifes, files, pocketwatches. ect..... anything that you think they might take from you they probably will. NO sharp objects... you get the picture. \n\nUnless they changed it over the last 6 years you will get a debit card that has $300.00 (of your first pay check of course that can only be use at the PX store on base) So you will be able to buy more crap that you think you will need when you get there. \n\nAs far as if your in shape or not. If your not in shape now dont worry about it cause you will be by the time you are finnished. When I joined I was 210 .lbs I came out at 150! 4 years later gained it back lol beefcake! Anyways, here are some pointers. If you have a temper learn to keep your mouth shut. Learn quickly what your are tought. If a drill Sgt tells you to do something do it good and as fast as you can. If you fck up alot you will stick out more and they will make your life more of a living hell as they can. I have heard that Basic training has gone soft comparied to what I or thoughs before me went through, not as much yelling and crap. When you get deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan remember what you have been taught and if there is someone in your unit that has been there before get with them and ask as many questions as you can. Learn your job!  \n\nPlease email me and let me know what your MOS is and I will try and give you an idea of what you are in for alittle more. \n\nOh yeah and when you get in ask about the Rakkasans\nwe are the craziest unit there is. \n\nHave fun and good luck
984471
Here's how it is going to work.  You'll be at the USO at the airport when you get picked up by a Drill Instructor.  You get on a bus with a bunch of other recruits and are told to keep your head down during the ride so you don't see the way in/out of the base.  This is to prevent you from escaping if you decide to go UA (Unauthorized Absence).  Once you get onto MCRD you'll be lead into a room where the DIs will search all of your personal belongings and confiscate anything they can.  Anything they don't confiscate (civilian clothes, shoes, backpack, etc) you will box up and put in storage the next day or two.  A couple of people in my platoon ended up having their stuff go missing when it was time to pick it up before graduating, so don't bring anything that you really care about. \n\nAnyways, back to forming.  After that you will get in a big single-file line standing at attention and waiting for your haircut.  Wannabe DI admin Marines will walk by and harass you and the occasional DI will yell at you.  They will cut your hair really quick and it will hurt a bit, but oh well.  After that you will get your first issue of uniforms and other stuff that you will use during Boot Camp.  Forming will last 3-5 days depending on when you arrive their and when your Company picks up.  Don't worry about forming, you will never see any of those DIs again.  I would advise you to try and volunteer for Guide of your Platoon in forming.  This will usually carry through to your Platoon once you get picked up and as long as you keep doing a good job, your DIs should let you keep it.  Guide gets promoted to PFC upon graduation and has a chance to get LCpl if he is the Company Honorman.\n\nTo answer your question, cut your hair short to make things easier and less painfull but don't buzz it.  They'll cut it no matter what and you'll get less shit from them.\n\nIf you have any other questions shoot me an E-Mail and I'll be glad to help.
210252
I don't know the official answer to your question, but I do know that since we pride ourselves on "leadership by example" be prepared for it to be more mentally challenging than the 12 weeks I spent on Parris Island in enlisted boot camp. You should also realize, however, that there comes a point where it can't possibly get too much more strenuous...we're all physiologically about the same, so peak conditioning for me would be roughly peak conditioning for you. What's required of officers is different, though, and therein lies the challenge. But I suspect you'll do just fine. By the way, having served with ROTC officers as well as Mustangers, it's been my experience (as an NCO) that Mustangers make the better officers in terms of their grasp of the overall military objectives and their ability to relate to their Marines. Good luck in all your future endeavors. Semper Fidelis.
794317
I went through Marine Corps Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego back in 1995, Hotel Company, platoon 2113.\n\nBecoming a Marine, is a very personal experience.  They literally break you down from what you were.  They strip away all of your ill-concieved notions about everything, and then they mold you into the man or woman that the Marine Corps wants you to be.\n\nThe first month, the recruit goes through rigorous training, drilling and exercise.  Hell, the first few days, they get barely a few hours of sleep.\n\nThe second month is spent almost entirely in the field.  Learning to fire an M16 and other weapons.  Learning about combat and all of its aspects.\n\nThe third and final month, is the finishing touches.\n\nIt was the hardest and easiest thing I ever did.  I look back on those months, remembering how I hated it, and I smile, realizing it wasn't all that bad.
1066544
The contracts depend.  Have you seen any recruiters yet?  I enlisted in the Navy for 5 years.  It was for but I got a $6000 bonus to add another year.  My husband enlisted in the Marine Corps for 5 years because that's what they gave him.  When they get out, people tend to either go back to school or go back home and get a normal job.  More often than not, they re-enlist.  People will swear through out their entire enlistment that will get out.  A week before they get out, they re-enlist.  \nIf you want to prepare, get in shape.  It's more mental than physical.  If you make yourself believe you can do 100 push-ups in to minutes (I mean really convince yourself) you'll do.  I joined the Navy because I was out of shape and didn't' thing I could go through the Marine Corps boot camp.  It was a breeze!  If I could change it, I would have gone Marine.\n\nGO TALK TO A RECRUITER!  Do your own research to so they can't BS you.  If you know anyone who is in or used to be, take them.
132458
I would say, wake up, eat, then have some kind of briefing with their company officer about the tasks for that day, guess it would depend on where you were as to what is next. I'm sure it would be different if they were assigned in the motor pool ( say a mechanic ) vs. Someone in a combat unit.\n\nMaybe someone that has been in the military can comment here for you.
931466
I don't know all the hard numbers but USMC Boot camp is the hardest basic training/boot camp in the US military. The Marines qualify on a longer range with the M16, not sure about the exact distance. Here are some hard facts: The Marines boot camp is the longest. You don't get any phone calls home or emails, just letters. It also has the highest attrition rate in the US military. \n\nI talked to someone on a different message board who was in the Army before switching over to the Marines and this is what he said about the services: \n\nOkay being a Marine that has switched services (you can read why in the Marine only board) I have first hand experinces with the NEW Army.\n\nI joined the Army National Gaurd for a "try one" I ended up going to OIF III with them and I will tell you that yes the Army is alot different from the 'Corps.\n\nIn the Army there are only Cpl's in "combat arm" MOS's me being Arty turned Security Forces (basically convoy escort, QRF, gate guard) I was allowed the privilage of retaing my NCO status as Cpl. The wierd thing is the Army has Spc's which are also E-4's these guys are paid the same as a Cpl but have no responsibilty as far as an NCO, being a Cpl in the Army is kinda like being a senior lance cooly, you don't get much respect you just kinda make the best of it and make people respect you through hard work, persaverince, and your Marine Corps leadership traits.\n\nThe majority of the Army doesn't understand the meaning of pride and is about instant gradifacation, awards, patches, and of course screwing around with women.\n\nThe 101st Airborne was coming in theater around the time my unit was rotating out and we shared plenty of time at the chow hall with them. We called the 101st the "hundered and worst" here they were, the pride of America's Army units "Air-Assualt" but in fact they were more like horny rabid dogs, that would steal anything they could and hit on every female on post, (not that its a bad thing to explore your options) but for a female Sgt to allow PFC's and Spc's to call her "sexy girl", and "baby doll" openly and in front of other NCO's and Soldiers and did nothing. It was appauling to say the least.\n\nI don't want to go as far as saying that the recent events that have happened in Iraq with that unit are just but i will say that the new Army's way of allowing **** bags to do as they want to keep the "numbers up" is just pathetic.\n\nThe Army is at war with itself as far as the best way to lead, train and motivate young people to go to war.\n\nThe Army belives that giving berrets and badges away to everyone will make the young troops to as they are told, however, as I said instant gradification only goes so far.\n\nI could go on and on about the faults of the New Army, but I'm not gonna bore you with the mindless *****ing.\n\nsimply put, the Army and the Marine Corps are like apples and oranges. just right now the army is rotting and the Marine Corps is not.
231961
Check this out, it's 12-1/2 weeks.  It's a hell of a lot harder than all the other boot camps, but you'll be a Marine.  It truly is worth it.  Get in really good shape and have your recruiter teach you some close order drill before hand.  The Marine Corps even after boot camp is hard, so when you're cold, wet, tired, starving, and pissed off in the middle of the night on post, think of the people you're standing for and protecting, and of the ones that came before you.  Never give up and keep your chin up.
569354
Its not as bad as everyone thinks it is...sleeping arrangements are depending if you are an officer...a chief...or a seaman...Depending on all of that. You'll sleep in "bunks" if you're enlisted...and you'll get a room if you are a high end chief and officer. Mess Hell (cafeteria) has everything you could ever ask for...soda machines...all that fun stuff...and the menu the chef cooks up is what YOU want to eat...they will poll weekly depending on each squandran wants and desires...and will plan the menu accordingly. When you're out on sea cruises...its kind of hard to get personal time...but you'll have your watch hour..included into your actual "job"...but each night..I found about 1 - 2 hours to actually sit down and play with a couple friends...or talk online to family and all. Get my Biz done. When you're ship port...you can have leave...and you may have 1 - 2 days on your own as your own free time and are allowed to roam the city...but there are days where you have to work on board...so it honestly depends on your rank...and your work title...and how high up you know in your chain of command ( its best to know the chiefs and officers on the ship you're deployed on...trust me lol. )...as an officer in the Navy...for 18 years...I've grown to know that if you work hard...the more days off you'll get from your superiors...and so on. If you need anything more...or more info...or even chiefs / officers on board any ship...feel free to IM me...I know lots...and I'm pretty high up myself...but then again...haven't been on a cruise in about...6 years lol. Hit it up. \n\n\nCaptain Matthew McPherson Jr.
844847
That is pretty much correct.\n\nWhen you report to MEPS for your final physical before reporting for boot camp, you will sign a form confirming your choice of job request (unless you are signing up for a job-specific program or are in a Reserve unit).\n\nYou will normally not find your final job assignment until either the end of Boot Camp, or once you reach your advanced school.\n\nTo give an idea, I joined the Marine Corps under a special program only open to Infantry.  At the end of boot camp, they confirmed I was going to Infantry school.  But even in the Infantry, there are multiple jobs (rifleman, mortaman, machinegunner, anti-tank).  Only when I reported to Infantry school was I assigned a specific job assignment.
945587
Boot Camp is like a whole different world. \n\nThey break you down until you can't stand it any more, then build you up to be the proudest person in the world. \n\nIt's intense most of the time and pretty relaxed on Sundays. \n\nIt's the most grueling 3 months you'll ever have, but the most rewarding. \n\nIt'll make you cry in pain and cry again for joy upon finally earning the title of Marine.\n\nYou'll meet people there that you'll never forget, including some you'll wish you could. I still remember everyone's name in my platoon 8 years later.\n\nIt was the most difficult thing I've ever done, but looking back it wasn't that bad and I'd do it again. \n\nYou train, march, go to classes, and clean your weapon and squad bay all day. Later you learn the combat basics and shoot and go on long walks. \n\nEventually you graduate and you look back at the experience and thank your Drill Instructors for making you what you are today. At least I do and I did directly after we graduated; they seemed as proud as I was. It was so long ago but I remember every day like it was yesterday.\n\nEvery push-up. Every mile marched, hiked, ran, or any combination of the three. Every time I wished I were dead instead of being there. Every dreaded second I stood in the yellow footprints when I arrived. Every time I was screamed at for doing something stupid.  Every class about Marine Corps history, rifle maintenance, first aid, or everything we learned. But most of all, every ounce of sweat, blood, and tears I shed to be one of the World's Finest. And for that I am thankful.
1008052
It all depends on the attitude you go in with, as long as your are not cocky and you know from the beginning that they can't do physical harm to you no matter what they say and you remember that the 11 weeks will end it should be no problem.  It is only as hard as you make it.  I did my basic 20 years ago from July - September.  I will say it was the most rewarding experience I ever had in the Army.  The only physical training I suggest you do before you go is to run 2 to 3 miles per day in about 8 minutes per mile at the slowest and start working on your push ups.  If you choose to go in Best of Luck to you.
625116
It depends on what you & the Army decide to do.\nBoot camp is 13 weeks & infantry school is 6 weeks.\nIf you go in to Officer Training (as college op),\nmy son has had everything from boot camp, BOLC, IOBC, Marksman, Jump School, Ranger School (he has 2 weeks left)\nhe will have been trained for 78 weeks. A long time.\nHe graduates from Ranger school in 2 weeks & leaves in 4 weeks for Afghanistan to lead his men who are already there under command of his Sgt. ( He is a Lt. - due to be Captain in Dec.) So training can vary alot in the Army.
816401
Go to google and enter boot camp y.o.p and there are all kinds of sites with information.
1127964
Well first you go to Boot Camp (not basic training, big difference), then you go to MCT (Marine Combat Training) and then you go to A-school to learn about your job.  Finally you get stationed somewhere.  I don't know what you mean asking what do you do next.  You do your job and whatever else they tell you to do.