anxious about boot camp...

[kmac05]

Can you braid your hair at boot camp? In cornrows or anything like that? I have no problem cutting my hair cuz I know there is no way I will be able to get it to stay up unless it's in braids, so I was just wondering. Also, I'm nervous about boot camp, I leave in August. I haven't told very many people because I've had nothing but negative responses from the people I have told. I know they are just unable to think outside the box and can't fathom why anyone would want to join the Marines. But sometimes I worry that they are right and I might not be able to do it. I plan on being as prepared as I possibly can be when I leave in August but I still can't help but feel nervous. Is this normal?

[MCIWS Sgt]

kmac05,
Everyone goes through this before bootcamp. All those people who tell you negative things, will never live outside of their safe little world...that you will protect. Negativity is contagious...so keep positive. I am proud of you for making this decision and going through with it. If it is easier to keep it to yourself, go ahead...no need to have people tell you you are crazy. My own Mother told me I was crazy and couldn't make it because I had too much attitude. Now my Mother is the proudest Marine Mom ever. You will see peoples attitudes change once you earn the title.
As for your hair...braids are fine. I have long hair and always have and I keep it in a bun, and I would suggest having long hair in boot camp rather than short hair. When it is back it is out of your way. Just make sure it is neat without any fly aways.
Sgt D

[Anonymous]

Hey, I am only 16 but i was considering joining the marines when i turn 18. I've told my parents i was thinking aobut the army and they were so negative. they first said i also couldn't do it beacuse of my attitude. but i would love that title of a "marine" and seeing the look on people faces when they hear that :) isn't our country wonderful tho? ne way, good luck!! on this website i read about some wonderful ladies and i hope that if or when i join i am with as wonderful ladies as the girls on this website.

[Admin_USMC]

I am assuming that since you mentioned cornrows then you are African American. I say this because females of other ethnic backgrounds are not allowed to have more than two braids. Hair styles must be within your ethnic origin or they are otherwise considered ecentric. I can pseak from experience as I had a white fellow LCpl who was not allowed to put her hair in microbraids because "it was not of her ethnic origin" even though it may be a popular style regardless of race in the civilian sector. I know that there were a couple of African Americans in my platoon who had some hair issues and the DI's always stayed on their tails about them. One girl in particular had the worst hair, it was really dry and uncooperative and she, on more than one occassion, had Buckwheats hairstyle from the Little Rascal's. The DI's made fun of her and stayed on her about her hair. It was funny and she took it in stride because she knew that she couldn't take care of it in boot the way that she normally would. Appointments at the 4th Bn hair salon are hard to come by and you are usually only allowed to go on Sunday's during your free time. I am a whitre female and I cut my hair before boot. I had to get a trim while there for the rifle range and it was the worst haircut ever! I had to come back to the squad bay and request scissors to straighten out my bangs which were very uneven. I also ran into the problem while I was growing out my hair while stationed at, Parris Island, where I was having to wear my hair in 2 braids until it was long enough to get into one and I was stnading in Subway getting my lunch when a female DI came up to me and told me that my hair was inappropriate and should only be worn my recruits. Of course I went back to the female Captain who had braided my hair and told her what had happened and she told me the DI was wrong and should have never said that to me. She was so mad she went to 4th Bn command over it. Looking back it is too funny but not so funny at that moment. The worst part of having longer hair at bootcamp is that you have to put it up at night during freetime and sleep on it. SO in the morning it usually isn't looking to good. Plus, personally, I can not sleep with my hair up as tight as it has to be. Of course we all make adjustments during boot. The other thing that annoyed me was having to sleep in your sports bra, so I would take mine off and then get up before reville and put it back on. Well best of luck at bootcamp and just remember that nothing is personal evenwhen the poke fun at you. The night before graduation you will have the opportunity to make fun of your DI's and they will do the same in return. Just make sure you have plenty of bobbypins, gel, etc to keep your do in place if you keep it long. I just wanted one less thing to have the DI's on me about.

[Anonymous]

I am joining the Marines next year after high school. This is a great site!

Since the topic was raised, I have to ask - why are you required to wear a sports bra when you are sleeping for the night?

My brother wnet through army basic - I know the guys sleep in their underwear and T-shirt - I assumed that I would be allowed to sleep in just my panties and T-shirt...

Are women recruits issued bras and underwear or can you bring whatever you want to wear?

Is there any privacy - based on what I know about army bootcamp, I'm expecting none - I heard that not long after I get to PI I will have to completely undress with the rest of the women in my platoon (strip naked), turn in my civilian clothes, throw out my bra and panties, shower with all the rest of the women and then get issued our cammies, etc.... Is that really what I should expect?

Strange q's maybe ... but if you don't ask...

[Anonymous]

I'm proud that you are joining the Corps! I wish you the best of luck in Boot camp next year! Yes you will have to do all the things that you described, it will seem akward at first, but you'll get used to it. The point is to make you realize that you are no longer a civilian you are part of a team. To sleep you will dress as everyone else dresses to provide uniformity. A green tee shirt and green shorts or green sweatshirt and green sweat pants (depending on the time of year you go) will be worn to sleep. You don't have to wear a sports bra to bed. But know that your drill instructor is not going to wait on you to put it back on in the morning. That goes for hair too, it is best to fix it at night and sleep on it. I know it sucks and is uncomfortable but it's boot camp what do you expect? They will issue you everything. You don't really have to bring a thing if you do most of it will be taken away. Last thing, don't compare the Marine's boot camp to the Army's it's a lot different. Many of my friends joined the Army before I went to the Marines and I asked them a bunch of questions. IT IS NOT like Army boot camp. Again good luck to you. Stay strong, you will never be more proud of yourself then when you earn the title. :wink:

[Admin_USMC]

No you won't be stripped naked of your civies and forced to shower as soon as you arrive at PI. You will be issued your uniforms and go ahead and put on a pair of cammies during this process and yes you will be down to skivies aka bra and panties in front of recruits, DI's and female permanent personnel at Phase I issue (I used to work in Clothing at PI). You will shower that evening with about half the platoon in there with you. So you will find that your modesty will soon disappear. You will have to stand hygiene inspections daily in bra and underwear and change and shower in front of others.

You can bring your own underwear and sports bras if you choose although you will also be issued them as well. Just make sure they are all white and NOT a thong, also don't wear a thong to PI, wear regular bikini underwear as you will not be able to wear thongs during bootcamp, nor would you want to. You also need to have a good civilian bra (white) and panyhose you will need these for dress uniform issue. Make sure the pantyhose match your skin tone.