Bootcamp advice.....

[Anonymous]

Hello, I wondered if I could ask some of women what Marine bootcamp was like. I
hope I am not bothering you. My fiance' is a Marine reservist and I really want
to do this! He just came home from Iraq after being gone for 10 months. I want the same satisfaction that he got from going through
bootcamp and becoming a Marine. It is so important to me and I know I can do it but
I am kinda shy and VERY nervous about the entire thing. I am just about to
graduate college with a BS in business and I don't know what I want to do. This is
something I have wanted to do since I was in highschool and I know I will regret
it if I don't. I am getting ready to turn 24 and I don't want to wait much
longer! Then I will be too old. Can you just tell me what it was like and what I
should do to prepare? Thank you so much for your time....

Selina
selvis1@yahoo.com

[KS-USMC]

Selina -

I have not gone to boot camp yet (I leave in March) however I would recommend reading through ANY old posts on this website to get that information. There are plenty of posts all over this website giving details of what to bring to boot camp, what exercises to do before boot camp, how to deal with direct deposit and such once you get there, etc. A lot of people have spent a lot of time explaining that information so I think you can probably find the answer to your question is already posted.

I personally have been working on my running a lot more. I already ran on a pretty regular basis but I'm working on trying to get faster and trying to build endurance beyond what I already had. It can ONLY help you! :)

I run 3-4 times a week...I do interval training once a week, I do speed training once a week (and build up to longer distances over time) and usually once a week I do a long run 5-10 miles at a slow 9 1/2 minute mile pace just to build endurance. That regime makes me faster and helps me gain endurance.

As far as other exercises, I do the military crunches (necessary for PT) and push ups everyday. And I lift weights twice a week where I work arms, shoulders, back, abs, chest. My lower body is already in good shape but I'd like to build more upper body strength since that is a weakness for a lot of females.

And lastly...I am spending time mentally preparing, which I believe to be equally as important as physically preparing. Visualization goes a long way and positive thinking does as well. The mind is a crazy thing and it's amazing how easy it is to program it...just be sure you are always programming it with positive thoughts of succeeding and you will be amazed at how it follows what it's told.

If you decide to take the ASVAB and talk with a recruiter, they will start to help you as well. You will be working out with them and they will identify your weak points and spend time getting you prepared for boot camp before you ship out.

Hope this helps but don't forget that there is a plethora of information already on this forum....you just might have to go all the way back to 2001 to find it :)

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the information and good luck! I just wish I was in as good of shape as you are! I better start working out more! Post when you get back and tell me all about it! Stay strong!!

Selina

[KS-USMC]

I'll definitely post when I get back!!

You can get in shape pretty quickly. When I first started working out I couldn't even run a mile straight without stopping then the progression was very natural and easy and I had endurance in no time.

The reason I lift weights so adamantly is because core strength is the best way to prevent injury when stepping up your workouts like you do in the Marine Corps. And I refuse to get injured and let that keep me from earning the title of Marine :)

Good luck with your training and your decision about whether or not to join and always stay positive about your abilities to make it through boot camp. You CAN and you WILL if you put your mind to it!!!!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the encouragement! I can run about a mile and a half before I stop. I have never been a good runner so that is something I have to work on. I workout and I feel strong but I know I can be stronger. Do you use free weights? I have heard that is a good way to get leaner and stronger. I am so motivated right now...I really want to be a Marine and I know I can. I just have to start running more and learn to climb a rope! My fiance' had an awesone recruiter and he basically over prepared him. He taught him a really good technique for climbing the rope. Are you a poolee? If you would rather just email me I will put my address at the bottom of this message!

Selina
selvis1@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

Hi. When are you going to bootcamp Selina? I'm going next Feb. 2006.

Amanda

[Amcphail]

is there anyone out there that live in san diego, ca who is going into boot-camp?

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry Amcphail! I never checked to see if anyone had replied! I don't know when I am going...I haven't officially enlisted yet. I graduate from college in May and then I am getting married (to a Marine :) in June. It will be after then that I talk to my recruiter. I will let you know when I find out though! You can email me if you like...

Selina
selvis1@yahoo.com

[Amcphail]

Hi Selina. My name is Amanda McPhail. I haven't "officially" enlisted either. My husband is an active Marine and I too wanted to do this for a long time. Until recently I always thought that it would be hard. And after so much thinking I have put into it, I would hate myself if I didn't go. I'm in college too. I'm trying to get my 15 credits (no diploma) and then I need to get into shape. I'm hoping for the 1st week. in january of 2006. I know that seems so far away but I know myslef pretty well and thats more than enough time to get my affairs in order to proceed. I'm very excited about doing it. Bootcamp will without a doubt be the hardest thing you'll ever do. But just imagine graduation...........the tears that will roll down your face because you did something you thought you couldn't. I'm going into the DEP program in June and will hope and pry that I do well on the ASVAB. I'm studing it right now. I don't know if this would be something that you would want to do but I'm looking for a girl who is going in the same time as me. I want to develop a bond with soemone so when I do get to bootcamp, I know I'm not alone and I;ll actually know someone. The chances of us getting the same platoon? I don't know! A girl can only hope. I'm shy too. Having to get naked in front of other girls. I don't know about that. What I do know however is, that is such a small price to pay for what I'll earn. And the gas cahmber. GOOD LORD. I'm terrified. lol. But I know that the D.I.S are there to help us. They won't let anything happen. Thats part of their DRILL INSTRUCTOR CREED. If you want to talk more about this, I'll put my e-mail at the bottom and you can e-mail me or ask for my number and we can talk. I hope I eased you a little bit.
Amanda McPhail
mandamickfail@aol.com or amanda04272002@yahoo.com

[bandit1865]

I would just like to reply to the woman that has a degree in business and asking about boot camp......Have you talked to anyone about OCS??
With a college degree you should be able to go through the Office Candidate School, in Quantico VA vice enlisted boot camp at Parris Island, SC
Most college campuses should have at Point of Contact or call the local recuiter in your area for info on the OCS rep.........
Good luck to you......
Semper Fi

[Anonymous]

Hi there, thanks for replying. I have thought about OCS...it seems appealing to me as well. There is an officer recruiter that comes to campus and he leaves his cards and recruiting info in the lobby. I have picked up the brochures and read them. I just get so intimidated! It is still a thought though. I just don't know if I could do a job I would like as an officer you know? Did you go thru OCS? I was juts wondering what you could tell me about it...

selvis1@yahoo.com

[bandit1865]

No, I did not go through OCS, I was enlisted. Went to Parris Island, SC the only boot camp for females in the Marine Corps.
I was in for 22 years (1976-1998) and retired as a MSgt.
My husband also retired after 22 years in 1999 as a 1Sgt.
The only reason I recommended OCS was because it seems a waste to take the time to get a degree and then not use it.
OCS is a lot different from Enlisted Boot Camp and they stress more leadership.
But, seeing things change so often in training it would be better to talk to someone that has actually been there.
Good Luck to you....
Semper Fi

[Anonymous]

Wow!! 22 years! That's impressive. You must have really loved the Marine Corps and it sounds like you had quite a career. I think there must be an exciting life out there and I need to find it. I NEVER challenge myself because I am always scared! I think the Marine Corps is a way of overcoming that for sure. I am still keeping OCS in mind. I think that would be something to accomplish but then again just earning the title is prestigous enough. Your career must have been very interesting. What was your MOS?

[bandit1865]

Sorry, it took a few days to get back to you.
I really did enjoy my time on Active Duty but, keep in mind nothing you do that's really worth doing is always enjoyable. You will find yourself many times asking, "Why did I do this?" Other times that question will be easy to answer.
It will be the hardest thing you will do and people will question why you want to do something that difficult. They asked me many times, even after 20 years.....
I worked in Disbursing most of my career, which deals with the Pay and Travel Entitlements of the Marines. Of course, now a lot of it is computerized but when I started it sure wasn't. We used the old electric IBM typewriters and having a computer on everyone's desk was totally unthinkable. It was pencils and calculators.
I also worked as a Museum Curator, Instructor in the disbusing field, and sometimes Nursemaid and MOM to my troops. Even though you have a certain MOS in the Marine Corps, you still have to hone other skills... such as, dealing with personal problems, movement, training, etc..... of your troops.
Anyway, I have been retired for a few years now and am currently a civilian contractor working in Iraq. I guess even after the Marine Corps, I still can't ignore a challenge.....
Well, good luck to you....
Semper Fi

[Anonymous]

Hi again...I sometimes ask myself if the Marines is REALLY something I want to do too. Most of the time my answer is a definite yes. The other times it is a "yes" but I feel very intimidated. I am sure there will be times when I hate it...others when I absolutely love it. Did you find your MOS interesting? If I do join I may want to do something in Admin or some related field especially if I consider OCS since my degree is in business. I am also internested in aviation too but I don't know that I am smart enough for that! I wouldn't be able to be a pilot but I would like to work with aircraft. Anyway, I am just rambling. Thanks for the reply and take care......

Selina

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to reply to you. I am currently enlisted in the Marine Corps. I decided to quit college after 3 years and join. I am so happy that I did. I have learned so much about myself. I sometimes wish I would have finished school and went officer but I am glad I didnt. I have travelled to many places only people dream about. I not only have my family support but I have a whole new family to care for. Thats what the Marine Corps is all about. So stick to what your heart says. Yes it is alot of hard work and you have to continue to prove yourself to everyone that you can be a Marine. I look back at boot camp and say "dang that wasnt that hard." If you have any more questions let me know.

Semper Fi!!

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to reply to you. I am currently enlisted in the Marine Corps. I decided to quit college after 3 years and join. I am so happy that I did. I have learned so much about myself. I sometimes wish I would have finished school and went officer but I am glad I didnt. I have travelled to many places only people dream about. I not only have my family support but I have a whole new family to care for. Thats what the Marine Corps is all about. So stick to what your heart says. Yes it is alot of hard work and you have to continue to prove yourself to everyone that you can be a Marine. I look back at boot camp and say "dang that wasnt that hard." If you have any more questions let me know.

Semper Fi!!

[Anonymous]

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for the reply. I will be graduating college in about 2 months and I am glad that I went but I am still very interested in the Marine Corps. I feel like I have learned alot in college and I am ready to be done and into a job but I think the Marine Corps is so interesting and I have never really challenged myself so this would be the chance. I used to always think I couldn't make it through bootcamp but now I think that if I keep working at being in shape and I truly believe in mysel, I can do anything. It is mostly mental! Thank for the encouragement!

[Mireya]

I just wanted to reply because I have been in the Corps for 4 years now. I think it was the best thing I have ever done. I learned so much about myself and about life and what is really important. I spent 7 months in Iraq last year and I know that I am a better person because of that experiance, It was tuff and down right scary at times but also very humbeling and I learned alot from my interaction with alot of local woman and children. I would recomend joining the corps. It will be tuff but it will be worth it

[Anonymous]

Hi Mireya! I am so glad this post has generated so many interesting replies and stories! First of all, Congratulations on a job well done in Iraq! My fiance' was deployed 10 months last year. It was a challenge for him and it is probably harder for a woman in some instances. It is part of being a Marine so I was very proud of him when he returned. I think seeing the pride at his graduation and then seeing the pride at his homecoming is what really sparked me to be interested in the Marine Corps. I want to feel the same pride that he did and I need a good challenge! haha! Thanks for the reply!

Selina :)