Im considering joining the USMC honestly how bad is boot camp what is it like?
360547
Whatever you do, don't try to cheat (except for maybe sneaking a candy bar or something).  When you are told to make your pack 55 lbs for an all day hike, make it 58 lbs just to be safe.  They WILL trip you up and surprise inspect you.  Everybody's body will fail at some point, it's how you deal with it.  Remember that the whole thing is a test and each day you get through is closer to an A.  It is also training of course, they are training you to follow orders and to be mentally tougher.  But EVERYHTING is a test.\n\nWhen they tell you you can't eat until they say or you have to clean the entire bathroom with a toothbrush or dig a hole and fill it up again, don't look for a purpose. The purpose is discipline, not the damn hole.  making your bed perfectly is a test, shining your shoes and then running in mud and shining them again is a test.\n\n Make sure you can run at LEAST 5 miles and do 100 pushups and the like and you will be already ahead of the game as far as fitness.  They will exhaust you anyway, but your body will be more prepared.\n\nIf you are freezing or shaking from lack of sleep and exhaustion, just remember, if you get through it, you never have to suffer that in the future if you don't want to, it's your choice so tough it out.  You may choose Marine recon or something and have to do further training, but it's YOUR CHOICE.  So stick with your decisions and you'll be a better man in the end.\n\nWatch those shows on Discovery for SEAL training.  It's  harder in some respects than boot camp, so you'll have a good idea. It will help you prepare mentally.\n\nYou will make friends that you will remember for the rest of your life and earn the respect of your instructors and yourself when you get through it.
1063063
It's gonna be tough, but not overly so. Try not to sweat it too much. BCT for the combat jobs is a bit more intense. This is on account of the more intense 'working" environment. Fort Sill is on of the more "pleasant" posts for basic training. (that term being relative of course.)  You'll be hating life for the first week or so, this is what they call the "total control" phase of basic training. After that phase, it gets progressively more relaxed as the D.I.'s see that you're coming along satisfactorily.\n  P.S. You'll notice during B.R.M. (basic rifle marksmanship) that the drill sargeants are particluarly nice. Has somethng to do with the private having a loaded assault rifle I believe.
247363
Try bootcamp first and see if you can survive that
1132472
It's not good. I was at Bolling AFB a little while & it was a very bad neighborhood. There are nicer areas to commute from, but rental/real estate proces are insane. Important work draws people to the area, but live on base if you have to go there. I was always more happy in the operational force or major command level than anywhere close to DC anyway. I can't speak to schools. There are good private ones if you just happen to have inhereted a ton of money, but DC is just bad. I was only there about six months though so maybe someone else can give you a better impression than I got.
750915
O.K. so you want to be a seal. here's whats going to happen\nafter you join the navy you then volunteer for the seals. if accepted get ready to spend the worst week of your life on the beach with hardly any sleep always soaking wet covered in sand\nwith a team of seal training officers yelling at you every step of the way physical fitness means nothing if you can't keep it together mentally. so that's what they do they stick you in a situation that is so awful physically that most people would last an hour at the most. but you are expected to stay like that for a week. and while you are suffering this physical torture they are doing everything they can to break you mentally.\nIf you survive and I mean this as no offense to you, Its a pretty big if that you will last out the week. but if you do. all you have done was prove you are worthy enough to be accepted into the the seals training course and that lasts I think a year.\nmy hats off to you for even considering to join. and if you do I hope you succeed.
1074994
a lot of these answers are great just to stress on a few get some college first and you will have a higher rank when joining. If you can't. just be prepared to be broken and rebuilt they will break you down and rebuild you into a soldier.  Your life will revolve around the USMC you can't come and go as you please it is up to your ranking officer. I think the Army is a little slacker and not as tuff as the USMC both are standing for your country which is a great honor make sure you pick the job you want when you sign up because it is hard as hell to change once you sign those papers.  Basic training and  the schooling after sucks you do stupid jobs like kitchen duty and detail work.  Defiantly start running/  it is up and at um every morning for PT during your first 6 months to a year.  Lots of push ups and sit ups.  But you build great bonds and great friendships and you make it into what you want it can be the best experience or the worst it is all up to you!\n\nProud to be an American
30550
The gas chamber is to give you the confidence in the equipment you use. You will go in with all your equipment on and will be fine, then you take off your mask and realize what your sitting in, your eyes will burn and your nose will run and you will probably puck, I even seen people piss on them self but it is over in minutes. Basic training is a great experience. Remember they can't hurt you physically but they will push you mentally. You will be in great physical shape when you get out. The best thing I can tell you is hook up with some good people and get thru it together. Friends for life come out of the military
1130056
The training in ANY branch is absolutely "no harder than it needs to be".  You'll notice that I put that in quotes.  The saying is old, but it's true.  The idea behind the training is to keep you alive in a combat situation.  Is it hard?  Yes.  Is it too hard?  Depends on how much you value your life, honestly.  The USAF training is not too hard, because they are not on the ground.  USN focuses on swimming and staying alive in water (go figure).  The Army and Marines training is harder (USMC is harder and longer), because they are on the ground and doing the dirty.\n\nWhich branch would I recommend?  The branch that offers YOU the best deal for YOU!  I spent 20 years in the Army, and was a recruiter.  I know that the Army has the best deal out there, but it's YOUR life, YOUR decision.  You need to sit down with each branch, get your information, and make your decision after reviewing ALL the material.\n\nGED?  That's a timing issue.  If you have some college, that will help.  If you can score over 50 on the ASVAB, that will help.  That's another issue that needs to be brought up with the recruiting offices. \n\nGood luck
422265
I served 3 years, 8 months and 10 days in the United States Marine Corps. I was a infantry machinegunner. (Look that up and it might mean something to you) I did 2 tours to Iraq. The first time I went 47 days without enough water to wash my body with. I slept on the ground, I slept in 3 hour increments.  The second time I went into Fallujah in March of 2004. There I lost my best friend and 2 other buddies after 28 days of continuos battle in the Jolan district. I spent the summer in various foxholes and bunkers at night, and foot patrols by day in 135 degree heat in full gear. Finally on my last patrol I caught shrapnel from a 155 mm artilery shell rigged as an IED (bomb) The shrapnel penetrated the right frontal and right temporal lobes of my brain 3 inches. Also took a 3 inch chunk out of my right shoulder. I have dementia, and severe headaches constantly. I am rated 100% disabled by the VA.......AM I A VETERAN?\nTechnically???? F*ck you, dont even say the word veteran unless you are talking about one of my brothers in arms!
445661
I was in NJROTC, and we wern't liked because of the association with the military. More liberal school have worse problems. I am now in the Marines, so just know that when you decide to go Annapolis or West Point, for the most part you will be appreciated for your service while at the same time getting spit on by the super liberals
791416
I spent 8 years in the marine corps myself so im partial to my brother marines, but there not for everyone, go to go navy.com go army.com (etc) and see what they have to offer for your own personel needs and desires,that or go to your nearest recrutement center and talk with them personaly, no matter which way you go on your choice, if you get in and can hack the training you'll find yourself a better fit humanbeing.and no matter what branch you chose it falls true in all cattigories, you'll have an alliance of brothers that will be there for you and to help you out in almost all situations ,,,,,,,,,good luck too you always and god be with you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Stinger5906,,,,,,,,,,
717088
can't say for the other services, since Marines hear that the army gets leave during boot camp for Christmas, but in the USMC, it a no.  Letters only.  No phones etc.  It's not that bad though
774863
You should log onto www.armycadets.com.   This will give you a good idea of what it is like, where they are etc.   It is a good idea to try it out in the cadets to see if you enjoy it before you join the armed forces, as there are no strings attached, and if you don't like it then you have not committed to anything big.
1161596
First off, most of the people on here are idiots. Top Gun was a movie about the Navy and actually "Top Gun" no longer exists, at least not as it used to...(a new name, a new base).\nSecondly, the Navy was great. You will have a sea/shore rotation depending on the rating you choose. As an AO, my sea/shore was 4/3 (I think). After boot camp and "A" school, I went to my first duty station and luckily got shore duty in Nevada. It wasn't always a picnic, but for the most part I enjoyed it. I never did go on a ship, I got off active duty after four years to move to Virginia with my husband (who was also in the Navy). I did stay in the reserves and had a great time being a full time reservist (I worked about 200 days out of the year) and even did a few deployments to the middle east, which were lots of fun (and hard work). \nAs for the ships...when you are on sea duty, you'll have 6-9 month cruises and work-up periods in between those. You'll just work on the boat while in port...you won't to LIVE on the boat unless you are low rank and single. While you're on cruise, you will stop in ports around the world. It's not as if they keep you locked on the boat for 6 months straight (unless you do something very bad in a port!)\nIf you choose Navy, I'd suggest a rating like IT that will translate well into civilian life! This website: http://www.spear.navy.mil/profile/profile/jan01/pages/Navy.html has some good information and briefly describes each individual Navy rating.\nGood luck and I hope you have a good time in whatever branch you choose:)
554909
HAHAAAHAHHA! OH man u are in some deep shit. The Marines are the best. U better start pumping up on some steriods or something, Otherwise hit the gym
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.
925253
The Boot Camp provides military-style discipline through a highly regimented routine of physical exercise, education, substance-abuse treatment and community service. It is focused on behavior modification and rehabilitation of young offenders.\n\nThese links will give you more information.