Gaining positive & negative traits from Boot Camp

[SPhiladelphia]

Marines, what were some positive or negative traits you gained from Boot Camp? I'm trying to gain motivation and focus in my life from Boot Camp. Thanks!

[Tookie22]

Negatives- Not being able to hold a conversation, standing at parade rest because any other way was uncomfortable, a terrible haircut
Positives- Marine, Dress Blues, money, respect, oh and the ladies will love you.
Bootcamp is very basic. You will get some good traits out of there but that is just the beginning. You learn and practice other traits as you progress in you Marine Corps career whether 4 or 40 (officers) years.

[CplLakota]

Positive: Confidence, Strength, Character, Brotherhood. But, I do think as well, there will be some personal things that you only will get from Boot Camp.

Negative: I think everyone has self doubt in the first few minutes of Boot. No matter how much you prepare for it. The first time you come face to face with that kind of stress, its very differrent. and everyone handles it differrent

[GreenRam]

The negatives:
No ladies to interact with (except for the chow hall nasties)
Having every aspect of your life controlled for 3 months
No music...I really missed it!
Cutoff from the outside world

Positives:
Good opportunity to fix yourself and improve
Steady paycheck from day 1
Graduation is legit and women will love you in uniform
You will get fed pretty well, you'll need it
Better than doing nothing else wit yourself

[usmc4life1991]

some negative effects would be
1) when you graduate. adjusting back to a more relaxed life is hard and takes a while
2) standing at parade rest for everything... i still do it sometimes
3) driving your heals to the deck.. i do it when im home and the parents yell at me
there really arnt many
4) i wont lie.. i became a dick after bootcamp.. and cocky as hell now
for positive ide say
1) i give more respect now
2) i stand up straight instead of slouching
3) i say sir or ma'am to every person i dont know out of respect... i would just say ya before
4) this awesome hair cut