Creatine while preparing for the Marine Corps?

[Tobes50]

First of all allow me to introduce myself. I'm 18 and plan to join the Corps after high school with an infantry MOS very possibly. Although i haven't been in DEP yet i've been preparing myself both mentally and physically for what life might be like in the Marine Corps. That being said, i have weighed the effects of creatine and seem to think it would be benefitial atleast while still in civilian clothes. However i would like to hear some opinions on using creatine while training for the Marine Corps. Especially Since one of the major drawbacks of creatine seem to be that the effects greatly diminish once you get off the drug, obvioulsy you can't take it in bootcamp. On the other hand, it would be usefull as a training aid, i think atleast. Any thoughts would be appreciated,

Thanks in advance, Dan

[Sgt Skip]

Drugs? Why buy or take drugs?
What's going to happen when you can't take it anymore?
I wouldn't want someone covering my 6 whos performance couldn't be relied on because they were on drugs.
You have the only drug you need to inhance your preformance.
It's called HEART
Pull your self up by the boot straps boy - suck it in and DO IT.

[woodman]

Tobe unless you are hitting the weight pile, hard, for 1-1/2- 2 hrs a day creatine will have little benefit for you. It is designed for quick muscle recovery from power lifting routines and you want endurence more than power. Also you might be more carefull about saying that your taking DRUGS when all your realy taking is a nutritional supplement. save your self the money and just use carnation instant breakfast, much more bang for the $.

[Abe's]

Balance meals, plenty of rest, and follow the P.T. program your recruiter should have briefed you on.

[cjjohnson]

Forget the drugs...I'm in the medical field.

[Seeley]

Let me tell you personally, they won't do any good. There were guys there that could bench press two of me, but they couldn't run or do anything else worth a damn. I'm a medium build thank God. Stay "lean and mean" and you shouldn't have any trouble with anything. I lost some mass at recruit training, but I gained 15 lbs. My mass went down, but my muscles got a whole lot more dense. If you want a load of creatine, eat tuna. It has a butt load of natural creatine in it!

[TRLewis]

Creatine? HAHAHAHAHAAHA

Everytime we went on a 25 mile hump we had at least 20 people rushing to the hospital because they took creatine before going out.

[TracGunny]

Creatine Increases stores of Creatine phosphate in muscle used for ATP-PC anaerobic energy system. Some benefits demonstrated during short-term, high intensity exercise, but negated if ingested with caffeine. Gastrointestinal side effects and dehydration may also occur. http://www.usmc-mccs.org/SemperFit/fithlth/Physical%20Fitness/Handouts/Supplement%20Handouts.doc

Other sites of interest:

http://www.usmc-mccs.org/SemperFit/sem_fit_main.html

http://www.supplementwatch.com/supatoz/supplement.asp?supplementId=94

http://marinefeatures.subportal.com/fitnesslink/nutrition/bodysupp.html

http://marinefeatures.subportal.com/fitnesslink/nutrition/glossary.html

Great, let's increase our chances for dehydration while on that 20-mile conditioning hike (a.k.a. forced march, hump, etc... I hate the pc era...) If you have to take supplements, you are either weak minded (no self-discipline) or don't have the physical attributes to be a Marine in the first place... try the Peace Corps...

[Master Sephiroth]

You cannot prepare yourself mentally for military life. That's something we're gonna be taught in Boot Camp.

It takes your own strength and a strong will not drugs. I have the strong will but not physical strength yet.

[woodman]

Boaz

If you aren't preparing yourself mentaly for our beloved Corps before bootcamp then you are headed towards a train wreck. Would you expect to pass a test in school just by showing up for it ? Ever hear the phrase Improvise, Overcome, and Adapt ? Well none of that happens if you show up unprepared and stand there thinking WTF is going on. Checkout odc25's responses from the thread two lines down and see what your attitudeshould be.:marine:

[Master Sephiroth]

Aye Sir. One question though. How do I prepare yourself for a life that a civilian like me has no idea about? I know basically what to expect in boot camp. Only things I'm nervous about are the 11 General Orders. Can never remember the exact wording of some of them. And the long range running.

[cjjohnson]

TracGunny knows what's going on...Boaznaiman; why do you eant to be a Marine? Are you sure you know what to expect in bootcamp? I've been in bootcamp all my life (it seems).. I had a life sentence (Dad is a Marine)..then to make matters worse>>I'm engaged to a Marine. WhAT IS THE 11TH GENERAL ORDER BOAZ?

[woodman]

boaz
you will have to be willing to accept a few things.
1 you WILL screw up and catch hell for it.
2 your fellow recruits WILL screw up and you will catch hell.
3 anything you do could be done better, faster, etc
4 you will no longer exist only recruit boaz will
5 are you willing to pay any price to earn the title of Marine

These are just a few but any Marine on here will be glad to help you out with any other ?

[Master Sephiroth]

@ "To be especially watchful at night and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without proper authority". and as to why I want to join the Marines? I don't see any career path. If I join, I'll be doing something worthwhile for myself and my country.



@ woodman: Yes I know. I'd actualy be "Recruit Naiman". Boaz is my first name. Believe me, woodman, when I say: There is nothing I won't dare. I know I won't hear any kind of congratulations from the Senior Drill Instructor or his subordinates until after the Crucible. I'm a very optimistic man. I've been through a lot of **** in life. It takes a lot to bring me down.

Also when I said that you cannot prepare for military life, I meant the real thing, not boot camp

[Sgt Skip]

OK Boaz & Tobes50

Maybe I was a little harsh in the first response
So let's give it a little additional info

You want to make it in our Beloved Corps?

Start by doing "push ups"
When you think you've done all that you can do add about 100

How about "jumping jacks"?
Like those?
They're fun & easy
Do them for 15 or 20 minutes at a fast pace
When you're exhausted do another 15 or 20 minutes

How about walking
We all learned it at about 14 ~ 16 months old
Go for a BRISK walk with large steps
Walk about 2 hours in a straight line
Tired?
REMEMBER you've got to return

How about a 10 lb. bag of sugur?
Hold it in front of you at arms length until your arms feel like they're going to fall off --- then hold it for another 5 minutes

Hold the same bag over your head repeat the process

When you have a fly or misquito walking on you IGNORE IT
When you have a pain or a cramp IGNORE IT

How about going to your Aunt's for the afternoon?
Your friends are at the beach but you've got to cut her grass and clean up around her house

How about letting your sister/brother watch that special program on TV?
But the game is on!

When someone is in your face PAY ATTENTION TO THEM
That's the one trying to teach you how to save your A** & the A**es of your brothers

PHYSICAL & MENTAL decipline is the answer

You can be 5' 4' or 6' 10" it is in YOUR HEART
You have to resolve yourself to DO IT

When all else fails ---- LOOK IN THE MIRROR
The person looking back is YOU

Are you happy with what you see?

Look back through the advice you've gotten here
From an E-9 to an E-1
We've earned The Title
(and from CJ a person who's been around the Corps for life)
It's not impossible
BUT
IT'S DAMN WELL WORTH IT

Get your hearts & minds in the right place boys

Maybe some of my examples were a little lame

Cpl. Woodman describes it well in the message above this one.

[SuNmAN]

I played 4 years of football and wrestled for 3 years in high school. I have taken creatine and it has helped. The side effects of creatine include - dehydration and liver problemsin long doses.

Creatine is not a drug, it is a natural supplement and it WILL help you increase muscle mass if you stick to a vigorous weight training program at least 4 days a week.

Drink plenty of water and take creatine 1 month at a time. On 1 month, off 1 month, you should be fine.

I've done some research on creatine before I started taking it so I semi know what I'm talkin about.

[ivalis]

Pabst Blue Ribbon, Marlboros, & pornography. That's the ticket.

[greensideout]

Originally posted by SuNmAN
I played 4 years of football and wrestled for 3 years in high school. I have taken creatine and it has helped. The side effects of creatine include - dehydration and liver problemsin long doses.

Creatine is not a drug, it is a natural supplement and it WILL help you increase muscle mass if you stick to a vigorous weight training program at least 4 days a week.

Drink plenty of water and take creatine 1 month at a time. On 1 month, off 1 month, you should be fine.

I've done some research on creatine before I started taking it so I semi know what I'm talkin about.


When I went to boot it was bucking bales of hay, building fence, doing chores, playing sports at school, ie, staying fit.

Not a drug? Take a hike SuNmAN!

[Seeley]

HAHA! IV you got it! 'Cept for me its Bud Light, Copenhagen and my girl!

[yellowwing]

Creatine side effects (http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbal_medicine/side_effects/creatine_side_effects.html), including kidney damage, renal failure, dehydration, heat stroke, death.

I would not screw with it!

[Osotogary]

Ivalis
Good morning!
Pabst Blue Ribbon, Marlboros, pornography?
Just bought some PBL, $7.19 for 12 bottles (just like I remembered it except now it has a twist off top). Marlboros? Quit smoking almost four years ago. Can't and won't do that any more. Pornography? Not tellin'!!:)
Knew folks that did creatine but they were into weights big time. They stopped taking it after learning about the side effects.
Do everything naturally and make sure you give your body recuperation time.

[Namvet67]

Boaz...you say you what to expect in boot camp? I don't think so because every boot camp is different. Every Drill Instructor is different. All you need to do mentally is to convince yourself that you want to become a United States Marine...more than anything else. Physically....strength will come in due time. Push ups, pull ups, situps and run like no tomorrrow. Oh yea...the really tuff thing about boot...you don't get to make a head call when you want to...practice that!! Also practice not moving any part of your body (incl your eyes) for long periods off time. There is a reason for that exercise. May save your life someday. The only drug you need is adrenalin (and it's free).. Good luck

[perfectcircle]

Excellent, excellent repponse Sgt Skip. I think that I will print that out and show some of the kids that I know who are interested in joining the Corps if you don't mind.

I am a Poole myself, and I have learned already that nothing is going to be easy. Nothing will be handed to you. You will EARN everything. You came here for advice on your thoughts and you heard it. If want more, here's mine...Don't do it. It's not worth it. Yeah it's safe, sure it may help you. But it's not worth it. Marines EARN everything that got, they didn't have a crutch to lean on when they went through boot camp, and they all did it.

Being a Marine is one of the most prestigious titles you can earn. And that's what you should do...earn it. Why would you want to look back and say "i needed a crutch to get here." It's okay to need help, but I wouldn't suggest that kind.

I don't care if it would make me the best recruit there...I still wouldn't take it. I would rather screw up the most, fail the most, and be the slowest and know that I did it ON MY OWN. Than to say I am the best but I needed that kind of help.

Just get yourself in the gym like I did. I get up every AM at 5:00 and go for a 5 mile run before school. Once i can run 10 miles I'm going to run to school and back everyday. I will no longer drive myself. Do you think I could do this when I first enlisted? No. My point is, if you have HEART you won't need any "drugs" or "supplements" to make it through boot camp.

If you want to be a Marine bad enough that you would take supplements, then get yourself in the gym and you'll make it through just fine.

As for preparing yourself mentally. Good luck on that. I thought that I could do it on my own too. Believe me I did. And every Poole function I go to, when there is Marines there back from boot, I re-learn everything I thought I once knew. It's going to be incredible, it's not going to be easy...But as someone else here said, it's going to be damn well worth it.

[JAG5150]

Tobes50, there are some uses for creatine but not for the preparation of boot camp. you should be more concerned about building your stamina and not putting on bulk (which is the main use for creatine). Once you graduate boot camp, M.C.T., and whatever school you attend, go ahead and suppliment your work out routine with creatine, just don't over due it, you need to have a harmonious balance of strength and stamina to preform to your highest level. I would not use it to prepare for boot camp.

[SuNmAN]

I agree with Corporal JAG.

[Tobes50]

Thanks for all the responses, the more research i do the more i come to the conclusion that I could probably do without creatine at this point in time and just stick to a proper diet and workout program. Especially since i need to improve more on the endurance side than the strength side. But i figured there would be no harm in exploring a potentialy effective, safe, natural training aid. As long as it'll make me a better future Marine. But like some of you fellas touched on the best training aid you can have for becoming a Marine is will power. Something that I could improve on, getting better at it though.

[yellowwing]

There is potential for direct toxicity on renal tubules where urine is formed, and for acceleration of kidney stone formation. Recently, a baseball player for the Houston Astros was determined to have suffered from dehydration, kidney stones, and transient kidney damage as the result of creatine supplementation. Additionally, the deaths of 3 collegiate wrestlers this past year are being investigated to determine what role creatine supplementation may have played.

Tell me again about a safe and effective training aid? Do it the old fashion way, youngster!

There was no creatine shakes on Iwo Jima!

[garryh123]

Taking supplements seems like the wuss way out if you ask me. Just bust your as* and train hard!

[Master Sephiroth]

Originally posted by gbudd
Boaz...you say you what to expect in boot camp? I don't think so because every boot camp is different. Every Drill Instructor is different. All you need to do mentally is to convince yourself that you want to become a United States Marine...more than anything else. Physically....strength will come in due time. Push ups, pull ups, situps and run like no tomorrrow. Oh yea...the really tuff thing about boot...you don't get to make a head call when you want to...practice that!! Also practice not moving any part of your body (incl your eyes) for long periods off time. There is a reason for that exercise. May save your life someday. The only drug you need is adrenalin (and it's free).. Good luck

I didn't say boot camp. I said Military life. The real thing.

[femalemarine_89]

DONT TAKE DRUGS.... Just work out with your fitness program, eat the right foods and make sure you are always drinking plenty of water

[Tobes50]

quote:
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There is potential for direct toxicity on renal tubules where urine is formed, and for acceleration of kidney stone formation. Recently, a baseball player for the Houston Astros was determined to have suffered from dehydration, kidney stones, and transient kidney damage as the result of creatine supplementation. Additionally, the deaths of 3 collegiate wrestlers this past year are being investigated to determine what role creatine supplementation may have played.
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Tell me again about a safe and effective training aid? Do it the old fashion way, youngster!

When used properly, theres always gonna be some outside cases.

[HardJedi]

lord, why are people always looking for shortcuts and easier ways out? how about just doing like everyone else in the past? just put forth maximum effort for maximum return. it's really not that hard.

[odc25]

Boaz, you cant totally prepare yourself but you can ask all the ?'s you can possibly think of to prepare yourself, you can learn your general orders, do your PT, learn the Hymm,The Birthday, and everything else in "The Making of A Marine" book that your recruiter gave you and IF you learn your stuff and they happen to have a copy of the "Green Monster" you can ask to barrow that to. We have a lot to do before boot camp, and all we can do is ask ?'s and do what we know they are going to expect out of us in boot camp. I have watched many video's over the Marine Corp. Such as "The Crucible" and "The Making of a Marine." Watch them take mental notes! There is so much you can do to prepare even though you wont be fully prepared they are gonna scare the S**t out of us when we first arrive thats how its supposed to be,but keep that in mind and keep your bearings and your heart in mind also if you truely want to earn the title of MARINE!

[greensideout]

Only the Marine Corps can turn you into a Marine. Not getting prepared, not taking body building toxic crap, not anything that you do will make you a Marine.

What WILL make you a Marine is a Marine Corps Drill Instructor.

Just go to boot camp. They have a training plan that will work for you.

Just remember to kiss your Mama and girl friend goodbye. :D

[bates_iyaoyas]

all these neg posts about creatine?! First off creatine is all natural. Matter of fact creatine is to be found in fish and red meat. Supplementing with creatine is the exact same as supplementing with a multi-vitamin. I've been in the Corps for 8 years now, and have been bodybuilding for 10. I've never "fallen out" of any hike, and have survived just fine. Since my time in the Corps I have put on at LEAST 25-30 pounds of lean muscle and stay way under the 18% bf range. I am 5'7, 205..and am walking living proof that creatine does not kill. Responses like the ones I've seen are from mis-informed folks, and are the reason why the FDA is on a supplement witch hunt as we speak. So in a nutshell if ya'll think creatine is going to kill you, don't eat meat.

To answer the kids question, if you want to supp w/ creatine go right ahead. You won't be able to use it in recruit trng or MCT, but take it now, increase muscle gains up to the point you ship...and carry on once you hit M.O.S. school. Now with any supp keep diet and training tight. You'll also lose water weight while in Recruit Training while off creatine...but the $hit won't kill you.

[Master Sephiroth]

odc: Not that it has to do with anything, but I've known the Hymn since I was 8.

[SuNmAN]

I don't know...maybe these people ODed on it or somethin...because I took creatine sparingly and I trained real hard and drank a LOT of water, and I didnt experience any side effects.

But of course, its better to be safe than sorry ! If all these senior NCOs and SNCOs are telling you that creatine supplementation is no good, then they are most very likely correct !

Besides...we don't make that much to waste our money down at GNC :-)

[Master Sephiroth]

Anyway, you don't need Creatine.

In my story about two Marines (A Marine took it upon himself critique it, pointed out a few mistakes) the Senior Drill Instructor says on the first day of training that there are five things needed to pass boot camp: Courage, Confidence, Strength (mental and physical), Subordination, and Unity. He calls these "The Sacred Five".

That is what's needed to get through boot camp.