Boot Camp Stories and Advice
General Advice/Comments
Posted 30 Aug 02
I had to chop my hair off!!
I am leaving or have left (depending on when you read this) for Navy basic
training Sept. 10 2002. My hair was fairly long, almost to the
middle of my back, and I didn't really want to cut it. My recruiter advised me
to get it cut before I went because they'd just whack it off.
So I called my friend (the world's best hairdresser) and had her cut it short,
layer it, and put some subtle highlights in my already blonde
hair. It really does look great, but I miss my hair.... I guess it is a very
small price to pay for all I'll get in return!:) After all it is
just hair, and it will grow back!
NAVY
Posted: 16 Jul 01
I enlisted in the Navy before I started my Senior year of high school, and I
had no idea what I was doing. Coming from Salt Lake City, Utah you don't
here much about the Navy, mainly just the Army or Marines, so I didn't even
know what to expect. Luckily I had a really good recruiter who became my
friend and prepared my as well as he could in those eleven months before I
went to bootcamp.
I left home on July 6,1999, four weeks after my graduation, when I got there I
was so nervous and scattered brained that I didn't hardly know what was going
on, I was just getting tired but the more tired I got the more scared I got
because I was afraid I was doing something wrong.
As we started getting more settled I began to relax, yet I was still on edge
waiting for something to happen. Of my three RDCs (recruit division
commanders) the one that I feared was the female Petty Officer,
AO2 Jackson-Brown, because she was mean, and she would get right up in your
face. But I also had an RDC who was just as kind as could be, ENC(SW)
Schmidt. My favorite though was AE1(AW) Hoover, who got on you hard, but
also respected and helped you and even made you laugh. I remember my
RDCs because they were very significant in my time at bootcamp, because they
taught me to be the sailor that I am and I am extremely proud of that.
Going through bootcamp had its trials, but you soon forget all of those when
you finish what you set out to accomplish, and the first of those is when you
complete Battle stations. Which is a time of pure joy and pride and when your
RDCs finally look at you as equal and you become a Sailor.
Then you come to your Pass-in-Review graduation ceremony, when you finally get
to wear your dress uniforms and you have and overwhelming sense of
pride. And my graduation was on a date that will never be forgotten 9/9/99.
Then comes that final day when you get to leave bootcamp and you think, as you
are on the bus, that it went by so fast and all your nervousness and scary
times were really not that bad but definitely worth it.
Joining the Navy is something that I will never regret no matter how long I
stay in, because in the end it is always worth it. I love my job, and I
love my life and because of that I know that I have favor with God.
Theresa Rutherford, SK3, USNR(TAR), email
tmrutherford@cpen.med.navy.mil
(If anyone remembers these dates or names, I was in Division 326, and my last
name was Lawson.)
AIR FORCE
Posted: 24 JUN 03
Hi, I'm Sue Noe, I entered the USAF in 1979 and left in 1985. If you are
thinking about joing the USAF, I would love to talk to you. I had two brothers
in the Army and a nephew in the Air Force when I joined. They loved telling
me horror stories about "Basic". The best advice came from my recuiter, who
told me that "Basic" was a mind game and you have to be willing to play the
"game". So heres my advice to you. No matter what a sergent or officer tells
you, agree with him or her. If they tell you that your shoes are dirty,(when
they sparkle) say yes, and obey their orders to clean them. The training
personnel are trying to get under your skin. The trick is to never let them.
They will try even harder, but you have to remember the "game". A few of the
girls let it get to them, and they were either outcast in the "flight" or
sent to be discharged. Learn everything you can, but don't always let on that
you know. The instructors don't like the smart ones, it's too hard to pick on
them. I read advice from another writter who said "it's better if they don't
know your name". Be a wall flower, and do what is ask of you. Try to have
fun. I spent 3 years in England, and It was the best time of my life BC
(Before Children).
Posted: 28 Aug 01
Everyone jokes about how easy the Air Force is. I'm going to tell it
isn't any easier. We have PC everyday, except Sunday when you are
allowed to go to church. I honestly had fun in basic. I got there
and all of us were told to take out any piercings we had. So I took out
all (9) of my earrings and decided it would be smart to take out my tongue
ring. We got to our squadrons at Lackland AFB and the TIs (technical
instructors) yelled at us for coming into the military. They told us
that we had only joined for the educational benefits. They were playing
head games. As long as you kept quiet and didn't volunteer yourself, you
were fine. We got up to our bays and had to take a 5 minute shower and
get ourselves into bed. The next morning (selective memory, so I don't
recall the time) we got up and were briefed on how to enter and exit the chow
hall. We ate, got our uniforms issued to us and then went to class for
the rest of the day. Things calmed down at night. We would get up
at 0415, even though we weren't supposed to, make our beds and then wait for
the dorm guards to turn the lights on at 0430 so we could move around and
talk, brush our teeth and get down to the patio by 0445 to sing the Air Force
song. Then we headed for PC and worked until we couldn't take anymore.
We then marched back to our squadrons and showered before our time for
breakfast came. After breakfast we had drill. Then classes.
My favorite times were firing the M-16, going through the confidence course,
passing all of my physical tests with flying colors (I couldn't do 1 pushup
when I got there, when I left I could do 50 in 2 minutes), passing my written
test, and finally understanding that my TIs were paid to be mean.
We had some laughs with them, because they are all human. I made
some good friends in basic and we still keep in touch. Joining the
Air Force was the best thing I could have done. I've seen the world,
whereas I'm sure all of my civilian high school classmates have probably never
even left the state.
USMC
Posted: 11 May 01
I just graduated from Marine corps boot camp April 6 2001. Boot camp was
as hard as you make it as long as you can run a mile and a half under 15
minutes you will be alright . The pt is not that bad and maybe you will
get some awesome drill instructors like I had. But good luck. Just
remember what you went there for and never let go of that cause that is what
will get you through boot camp, that and mail.
Posted: 20 Dec 00
I've just begun my evolution in the Marine Corps. I left for Parris
Island 00-Jan-10 and my life has never been the same. I was a part time
college student looking for something better and something that had a little
more challenge than sitting in a class room all day to earn a little piece of
paper that had no application to what I was doing in my job at that point
in time.
My husband served as a Marine in the early 90's and told me stories of his
days in and what it was like to be a Marine. He told me stories of
trials and hardships through boot camp but of the satisfaction that came
with the completion of training. I wanted what he spoke of so off to
Parris Island I went.
Parris Island is different for each one of us who goes there, the best advice
I can give is to stay focused, use teamwork, and don't let the mental games
that the Drill Instructors use break you. Do as you are told when you
are told and with a sense of urgency and all will be well. Eat well
balanced meals, don't try to hide any thing if you are a weight recruit (over
you military weight standard) and push yourself at PT.
A lot of you want to know what to bring with you when you leave for Parris
Island, well here is a list of items you should bring:
* toothbrush & toothpaste
* shampoo & conditioner
* Avon skin so soft (the only thing I've found to repel those pesky sand
fleas)
* feminine hygiene products (pads& tampons)
* stationary, black ink sticks & stamps
* phone cards (for the airport layovers)
* white cotton underwear, sports bras, socks & white civilian bra (for
under your service & blues uniform at graduation)
**and most important of all items to bring**
A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE
Semper Fi
Adrienne
Posted: 15 Dec 00
I'm a 17 year old female from Wisconsin leaving to the Island in March of
2001. Yes I will be a Marine before I'm even 18. I had a long talk with my
brother the other day who is a marine stationed at Camp Lejeune NC. I asked
him how much money I really should bring. He told me that when he left our
house he took $300 with him. He spent about 80 of it while he was at the MEPS
overnight and at the airport. (You wanna have a little fun before you go) But
you also want to get some sleep. He also brought some phone cards with him to
call some people one last time before he left. It's good to get the
reassurance. He told me to hide the money in my sock on the plane. Your DIs
will have you strip down just make sure you keep the money in your sock and
don't let it fall when you shake it out. I'm still debating if I even want to
do this since knowing my luck I'll get caught but I guess it's worth a try.
Also you are going to write addresses so buy a nice address book that has room
for you to put pictures and stamps and everything. My recruiter told me about
this and he and I even checked some out at STAPLES that are very nice. I don't
know what else to give for advice since I'm just a poulee but I hope that I
helped some of you out. Any girls that are thinking about joining just give me
a line any time.
Semper Fi Girls
Yvonne
Posted: 7 Jun 00
Marine Corps boot camp is only as hard as you make it. If you do what you are
told, when you are told with a sense of urgency, you'll have no problems. The
worst part is being home sick. You have to keep a positive attitude because
there will be days that you are so exhausted from training that you will just
want to give up. (Like the time we had drill practice right after a 9 mile
hump.) Believe it or not, you will have a little fun in boot camp if your
platoon ever learns teamwork (mine didn't but we managed), and you will make
friends that you will keep in touch with through out your career. The best
advice I can give you is don't eat all the pastries if you are the pastry
recruit in the chow hall during team week. Eat less that week, or you will
gain weight and you don't want to be a weight recruit that late in the game
because you can get dropped to another platoon. Our pastry recruit gained 11
pounds in one week! So, beware. Also, don't constantly get yourself all worked
up about getting dropped if you don't pass inspection or stuff like that. Swim
qual, testing, inspections, rifle range..those are all things that you will be
given a second chance at to pass. However, pass it the first time, so you
don't have to worry about ,"what if I don't pass..." The IST and PFT
are two things you MUST pass the first time or get dropped to PCP (Physical
Conditioning Platoon). Do not go to boot camp out of shape or over
weight! DI's do not like fat bodies or out of shape recruits. They will have
you on the quarter deck every chance they get (push-ups, mountain climber,
side straddle hops...etc).
Posted: 9 May 00
This is for all of you who need some helpful advice on Parris
Island. I had several Marines give me the same advice before I left and it was
very helpful. Enjoy!! Feel free to e-mail with any comments at snrhoades@mol.marines.com.
My best advice is to expect for the worst. Then when you get there and get
into the training you realize that it is not as bad as you thought that it would
be. Boot Camp is mostly mental. You need to go in with the attitude that you are
there to become a United States Marine.
You'll arrive at the airport about 9:00 at night. As soon as you get off of
the plane there are receiving DI's there. They will yell at you to sit down left
hand left knee right hand right knee. You'll be there for a couple of hours. (By
the way the day at MEPS will be long and boring. There will probably be a long
layover at an airport) Then they will put you on a bus to PI. You arrive there
about 2 AM. The fun begins. You will not go to sleep until that night around 8
PM. Sleep where ever you can before you arrive there.
After you go through receiving you will meet your DI's on the Saturday after
you arrive. Training will start the first Tuesday after you pick up. The first
30 days are the hardest and anyone will tell you that. It is a new environment
and you are going to be homesick and some are worse than others. You will drop
around 10 people the first week you are there. Your basic day will consist of
reville at 0500, breakfast, PT, PT shower, Classes/Drill, Lunch, Classes/Drill,
Evening Chow, Showers, weapons cleaning, free time, field day, taps at 2100. If
you want a better schedule of what you will do at boot camp check out PI's
website (www.parrisisland.com).
As far as what to take to PI, I suggest that you take in addition to the list
you a given a good pair of running shoes that are somewhat conservative in
appearance, extra panties (white), extra sports bras (white), 1 civilian bra
(white), extra white socks, deodorant, toothpaste, your own toothbrush, soap,
Avon Skin So Soft lotion (sand fleas won't come near this stuff), feminine
hygiene products, shampoo/conditioner, and birth control if you have it. Don't
let them scare you that first night that you get there. They will give you a
brief on contraband and stuff you shouldn't have. Don't throw anything
on this list away, you don't have too. I was stupid and did then I
realized that I shouldn't have done it.
You may or may not have your period while you are at boot camp. A lot of
times women who are very physically active don't have one. So don't freak out.
Boot camp is all mental and some physical. Work you butt off before you leave
and won't be as hard. Memorize your General Orders before you get to PI, know
the Naval terminology, learn the Navy and Marine Corps rank structure, and
practice speaking in the third person (ie Good Evening Ma'am, Excuse Recruit
Rochelle, Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Browne Ma'am. Recruit Rochelle
requests permission to make a head call ma'am.) You will use that one often.
There are a few things that you need to know.
1. They can never deny you a head call.
2. They can never deny you medical attention.
3. They can never deny you chow.
4. Always sound off loudly.
Once you complete recruit training you will go home for ten days of leave.
You may or may not get put on 30 days recruiter's assistance, talk to your
recruiter. You will then report to MCT. This is the real Crucible. Two weeks in
the field with hardly any showers. After MCT you will report to your MOS school.
The time you spend at your school depends on the MOS you choose. Once at school
you will be given an opportunity to choose East Coast, West Coast, or Overseas
for you duty station preference. I suggest going overseas first. It is a one
year tour. Otherwise you will spend three years in the states then on your last
year they will send you overseas. Overseas is pretty good. You get COLA which is
a cost of living adjustment. I make around $150 extra a month. I have enjoyed my
tour in Okinawa. I met my husband there.
I really enjoyed boot camp. Boot camp is focused on teamwork. It is not about
who's on-line first or last but if the entire platoon is on-line together. The
faster you and your fellow recruit's figure that out the better. I hope that I
have provided you with the information you needed without giving away the
secret's and mystique that make boot camp what it is. I promise stick out
through the first 30 days and it is all down hill after that. Best of luck in
your endeavors and please feel free to write if you need anything else.
Posted: 18 Feb 00
The biggest thing to remember is why you are there and how many people have
been there before you. Not everyone is a superhero, but you also don't
have to be one to make it through basic. If you follow the rules,
you will be fine. The best piece of advice, I think, is for the Drill
Sgts to not know your name. It's a lot more difficult for you to be
reprimanded if they can't call you out by name.
I was very strong in the running category, but they don't punish you with
runs. Definitely work on your push-ups. It should be your goal to
be able to perform at least to minimum stds BEFORE you get there. Start
in advance and keep it up; remember, the better shape you're in before you get
there, the easier it will be physically! Good luck!
Also, when you get there, you are probably not going to have enough time to
eat the first week or so, they play games with you. It gets better.
Everything gets better. To start with, they test you, weed out some
people, but after that, they build up your self-esteem. There's nothing
like passing your BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship) and having the Drill Sgt.
congratulate you. Ultimately, the Drill Sgt. is there for YOU--remember,
he/she is just doing his/her job--and they spend more time awake, doing more
things, than you do! Good luck to everyone.
Posted: 25 Jan 00
My advice for basic training would be to ignore
that list of "Things to Bring To Basic Training." I don't know
exactly how I acquired the list...probably at MEPS, but I do remember spending
a month trying to buy everything on the list before I left...seven white bras,
seven white pairs of underwear, bath robe, running shoes, etc. Most of
the stuff on the list was impractical. I suggest only bringing hygiene
products for a week, two changes of civilian clothes, tons of stamps and
paper, one or two novels, two smaller bath towels...Do Not attempt to bring
your own running shoes unless you know for a fact that they will pass the
drill instructors inspection of what qualifies as "good running
shoes." (no fake leather!) They will most likely let you go
to the PX and buy hygiene products, etc. They can't deny you your right to
hygiene!! Also, remember that everything you bring will be carried by
you and you will run with it, here and there...and over there and
there...etc...so pack as light as you can. One other word of advice is
that when you arrive on base, say at 3:00 am, and they tell you to go into the
little room and throw away any "contraband," such as aspirin,
midol, pamerpin...don't listen. I threw mine away and suffered.
They never even looked in our bags. They might make you dump all you
stuff onto the floor later, but if you hide it in a little bag, or something
they will never notice...and chances are, if they do, they won't care.
(especially the men!) Lastly, don't let the mind games get to
you...that's all they are...games. Submitted by: Johanna-
Michigan
ARMY
Posted: 24 APR 03: "Even Through All the
Problems, I Don't Regret Going"
I didn't have the worst basic training but if
you had one worse I feel great pity for you. I got to MEPS Aug. 6 2001 and
breezed through everything and was ready to go before noon. That's when I found
out the first bit of bad news. Out of every one at MEPS that day I was the only
one going to Fort Lost-In-The-Woods, MO. As It was my first time flying I
wasn't happy about that. Nor was I happy about the fact I was originally was
going to be one of the last newbies flying out, and then my plane had mechanical
problems before we got to board so our flight was delayed while they flew a
different plane down from Duluth and got a new crew flight prepped. I get down
there and I'm grilled on why I was later then they expected. The next few weeks
were no worse then I was expecting. I got settled in to E 1-48 not to much worse
then anyone else, at least until the 2nd week. The when I got a stress
reaction. I toughed it out until the 2nd time I was ordered to get it looked
at. End of week 5 I was diagnosed with a stress fracture. I came back with
crutches, a profile who's time length was 'until released by physical therapy'
which in my meant three months. They didn't want to deal with it so they sent
me to PTRP AKA 'Hell On Earth' unless you are really determined to continue I
would not suggest going there. I would have still continued and I did
eventually worked my way back into reg. basic training. They sent me to C 2-10
which is 2nd only to PTRP as being one of the worst places on that base. I left
that company Jan. 31 '02. Total time in Fort Lost-In-The-Woods for basic
training was 6 months. Relax, most don't have these problems. Get in shape
before hand, and even if you don't like the taste, drink milk before going to
basic, and if they offer doing basic. It will save you a great deal of
heartaches and hassle.
Posted: 4 Nov 01:
I just got out of boot camp in August. It was the best time of my life!!!!! It
challenged me each and every day! My advice to anyone getting ready to go to
bootcamp is to stay motivated, keep the end result in mind , and most
importantly listen!!!!!I went to Fort Leonard Wood . I am only 18 and I went
as a split op. I was a junior in High school . It was just great. If u stay
pumped up and motivated your set up for succsess!!!!!Just remember why your
there and what u want to get out of it!!!!!!
Posted: 27 Jun 00:
I am former Army. BCT training is actually the Drill Sgts. trying to
brainwash you. My platoon was told upon arrival at Basic was "I will
either make you or break you!" If you get it in your head before you get
there that you are going to finish BCT, you will be just fine. And some
extremely useful words of wisdom, DO NOT TRY TO BE THE COMPANY CLOWN!!!
I was and the DS's new me by my FIRST name within the first 2 days.
Another piece of advice is I cannot stress TEAMwork, (Together Everyone
Achieves More). Remember this.
The more you volunteer for makes you look really good not only with your DS's,
but also the CO, 1st Sgt, and eventually the Brigade Commander at graduation
time.
If I can help ease some of the fears about Army Basic, please feel free to
email me at
dcampbell@your-net.com
. I will glad to answer any questions you may have.
Posted: 27 Jun 00:
I'll give you all the same advice my uncle gave me when I enlisted in 1989.
I think it is timeless.
First, there WILL be a training schedule posted somewhere in your company
area. Read it. It will tell you where you'll be and what you'll be
doing all day. You can endure anything a lot more easily if you know
when it's going to end. The drill sergeants WILL follow the training
schedule because they get into trouble if they are late getting their platoon
to where it needs to be when it needs to be there. The implied task for
you here is to wear a watch.
Second, when there is work to be done dig right in with something you can
stomach. If the platoon has to clean the barracks I suggest you grab the
buffer and/or the mop and start. If you don't find a job you can stand
quickly...guess who'll be scrubbing the toilets?! I'll tell you that it
WON'T be the girl with the buffer.
Third, if the drill sergeant asks for a volunteer...raise your hand. Not
only will you not be sitting around bored but you'll shine in the eyes of the
drill sergeant. Besides, if no one volunteers they just start picking
folks and that usually puts them in bad moods. A bad mood for them means
LOTS of push-ups for the whole platoon.
Last but not least...help the girl next to you. The drill sergeants are
trying to build each platoon into one cohesive team. You are not done
until everyone is done. Individualism is punished - teamwork is not
which is
reward enough.
The drill sergeants cannot hit you, cannot deny you 3 meals each day,
cannot deny you at least 4 hours of sleep each night, and cannot deny you an
opportunity for medical attention. They want each person to pass because
that reflects on them. There is no one that will make you fail
except you so don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the challenge.
Posted: 16 JUN 00:
I am a 21 year old regular army gal. I am a 74b "Information systems
operator/analyst". I work on computers all day. I am technically qualified
to fix computers as well as install and work with software, lots of stuff
actually. I work at a help desk actually, and try to help people with their
problems and software issues. I have been in the army since May 21st, 1999. My
husband and I both joined together, and are both PFCs right now. We have a long
way to go, however we both love our jobs completely. Before I enlisted I
actually came to this site looking for information on whether it would be a good
idea to join, as a female and all. I now have the goal of being the first female
to drive a tank!; although I doubt I will be around for that. I do see the walls
coming down soon to allow women to do whatever they would really like to do. If
any females need advise about joining and have fears of basic training, please
write to me. I was the most un-athletic girl before I joined. I made it, and I
could do it again.
Posted: 15 Jun 00
The first actual day of basic training in Fort
Leonard Wood was indeed a day that will live in my memory. The
cattle trucks, which I never did get used to by the way, but after the first
ride they did get a little bit calmer. I had my civilian bag, and of
course the duffle that weighs about 50-60 lbs in a giant bear hug in front of
me. We were advised that we better no drop these duffles or else the DS
would be all over us. Well, the civilian drivers of the "cattle
buses" I'm sure were instructed to hit every pothole in the road and to
turn corners like they were driving a Porsche. The privates were loosely
packed into the buses and of course we were tossed around like popcorn
kernels. With sweat dripping down my back and my face I was developing a
stubborn streak that would not allow me to drop my duffel on any account.
Upon arrival at our barracks (Delta 2-10), we were of course yelled at and
made to run into formation. I could only hope that I would be in the
first platoon and get to drop the bags, well I realized that I was in 4th
platoon the hard way, by standing there in the sun bear hugging my duffle for
what seemed like 3 hours. I was so determined not to drop the bags that
you know they say the jaws are a pretty powerful muscle, well they are, I bit
my duffle so that I would not drop it. It worked and even got the
attention of my soon to be platoon DSs. Finally we did get to drop the
bags and the yelling subsided. I believe that the first day of basic
training is the day that the DSs are sizing you up. They are looking for the
weak and the strong. My advise to anyone getting ready to go to basic,
be strong even if you are not actually STRONG. Especially being
female, you need to show strength and motivation and you will get everything
out of basic that you could hope for. You will get confident in yourself
and others will have confidence in you as well, you will get the courage and
determination that will help you in all areas of your life. You will
find your limits and at times you will go beyond the limits that you thought
that you couldn't. Make the most of it and remember that they can't kill
you, you can only do so many push-ups and only so many "front-back-go's".
Give it all that you have and it will give you so much back in return.
Posted: 13 Dec 99
The first day of Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood is
one I will never forget. We all got rushed off the most ugliest bus I had ever
seen, and all we could hear is the sound of my four drill sgts. screaming. I
could basically feel my heart in my throat, when all I could hear is the cry
of the private next to me. I knew as soon as the drill Srgt would come near us
she was going to do something she was seriously going to regret! Sure enough
the drill Srgt came over and all I saw out of the corner of my eye was that
private bolting out of shake-down. Sure enough what do i do but laugh which I
found out was one of the most dumbest things you could ever do in basic. We
later found out that she was sent home for not "adjusting" to army
life. She was found behind a bush screaming that she wanted to go home. I
never imagined that it was going to be that bad. And sure enough it wasn't I
graduated and finally got home!
WAC/WAVE/WAF
Posted: 14 Jun 00: "Navy"
I left Florida in December 1967 for Bainbridge, Maryland. It was quite a
shock to go from mild to below freezing temperatures. My recruiter had
told me I would make it just fine if I just kept my mouth shut and
did as I was told. He was right. The most serious problem I had
there was remembering the Naval history; I was threatened with being set back
if I didn't pass the test.
The only demerits I received was for missing an appointment. The reason
I missed it was because I had been given another appointment for something
else at the same time. I probably should have spoken up, but
instead chose the one I wanted to go to and ignored the other! Big
mistake--I spent a few hours cleaning the drill hall for that one!
While this was pretty horrible at the time, I look back on it now as being
pretty funny. I was a little over six feet, with big feet. The
dungaree pants were too short and shoes in my size were not even kept in
stock. So, I walked around for weeks looking like Olive Oil -- short
pants with six inches inches of black sock exposed and white tennis shoes the
size of oars (or so they looked!). I was terrified that I would be
graduating in those tennis shoes, but boondockers finally came in for me.
My company stayed in Hunter Hall, which had great ceilings for storing our
"loot" (candy, magazines, anything we weren't allowed to have!).
I was pretty popular back then, must have had something to do with the fact
that I could so easily reach the ceilings! Found a girdle up there from
a previous company--always wondered who would be crazy enough to worry about
girdles in boot camp!!
Some RM1 took a shine to me as we passed through line in the chow hall. I was
absolutely mortified when he approached me outside as we lined up in
formation. I knew my days in the Navy were numbered because this guy was
about to get me thrown out. We weren't supposed to talk to males, so I
restrained from conversation but eventually ran into him at Fiddlers Green.
(The end to that story is that we kept in contact through two duty stations
and got engaged, but I eventually decided to call it off).
Selective memory is wonderful because I remember those times as good ones!
I came out of bootcamp a better person, though, because it was one of my first
life experiences as an adult and I learned I could do, I
could endure, and I could excel.
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