First Phase

[JIPeterson]

I leave in 2 monthes(Cant Wait) and I would say i'm in better shape than I have ever been. I just wanted to know what any Marines thought of First Phase as far a physical toughness. I could use both sides of the stick, fat body to twig to muscle man's opinion on it. What was the toughest parts? What seemed hard but turned out easy? Any insight if I may inquire would be great. Thank you.

[Soon2BeVIP]

20070709 represent...I forgot to check with you were PI or SD...I'm PI

[Zulu 36]

The mental aspects of First Phase are the hardest. If you are in good shape, that is one less thing to worry about.

Take time to research and learn your knowledge: General Orders, nomenclature of the M16A2, Chain of Command*, etc. Get someone to drill you on that stuff, and not in order. The DIs jump around your knowledge, they don't quiz you in an orderly way, you should be prepared for that. "3rd General Order, 10th General Order, What is this? (as they hold up your rifle expecting the formal description), Name the Secretary of Defense," etc.

The more you know going in, the easier the mental games the DIs play will be. Less pressure to perform because you already have it in your head.

I do suggest you play it a little dumb until you get to the points where you are expected to know those things. Rattling off the whole nomenclature of the M16A2 on T-1 day might be a bit like painting a target on your forehead as a smartass.

*Of course, you won't know your whole chain of command until you get assigned to a company. Learn what you can from the CG of your depot on up.

I went to boot camp in 1971. They were still slapping recruits around then, much like in Full Metal Jacket. They aren't doing that any more.

The worst I went through were "Slime Parties." When the platoon stunk on the grinder, we had to undress, go into the shower and get wet (the whole platoon), the DIs emptied a few bottles of Whisk detergent around and, "You'll slime like professionals since you *******s can't drill like professionals." Then they ordered us onto of faces, stand up, on our backs, on our faces, squirm around, stand up, Back and forth like that for what seemed like an hour, but was more likely five minutes or so. I felt it to be the most humiliating thing they ever did to us. We did drill much better afterward. We did three Slime Parties, once in each phase (a pattern?).

I don't think they are allowed to do those anymore either. I'd rather take a beating.

I was a good private (we were called that then), they only had to beat me every other day. :evilgrin:

[JIPeterson]

San Diego here by the way.