Adam1988
04-10-08, 01:04 PM
This was written by Sgt. McIntosh and edited by me.
In no particular order:
Study up to the moment you leave.
Sleep whenever you can but never when your not supposed to (snapping in will be your hardest challenge to stay awake - I focused on keeping others awake and this helped me stay awake - you’ll get real used to that feeling of your face not working right because it is so tired).
Listen to everything and everyone. Remember everything.
If needed, ask for help from your peers and if that doesn’t work - ask a DI, but be aware that you’ll bring down the pain when you do it - but at the same time, they will always make sure you really understand something.
Remember to laugh (on the inside) at all the silly **** that goes on. Smile to yourself late at night if you have to but I recommend waiting until you leave Boot before laughing or smiling.
Keep a record of highlights.
Be aggressive as hell (in everything). “One, Two, Three, Four, Attack the Chow Hall, Aye Sir!”
Remember that slow is smooth and smooth is fast (but still don’t take your ****ing time on anything).
Organize your footlocker and memorize where everything is inside it - you have no idea how much this will help you.
Always give Chesty and the Corps their dues (you’ll understand later).
If and when you feel like you had a rough day (and it will probably happen on many days), just remember why you are there.
Stay awake in classes (intentionally sitting uncomfortably or biting your cheek, etc helps ).
Don’t wear anything Marine Corps related to Boot or MEPS. Likewise, don’t get a high and tight or anything like that before you go. Unless you want to be the crazy recruit that wore a USMC shirt to boot camp ;)
Learn to use your peripheral vision (always look straight ahead - except when you need to look around - then do it real quick).
Three to a ****er.
IT (or IPT) inside the squad bay is MUCH worse than when outside (pray it doesn’t happen often).
Go for squad leader or guide (squad leader being the better of the two as you will learn how to march with a rifle).
Make sure ALL your **** is squared away before you sleep - if you know **** is not perfect ask one of the firewatches to wake you up so you can finish after lights out.
Don’t be a house mouse or scribe. When the DIs ask for anyone with college experience (even if you have it), do NOT raise your hand. Being a house mouse will grant you lots of free **** but everyone will look down on you because you get out of everything.
Likewise, try to be the scribe's best friend.
Take the time (usually at night) to adjust your field gear so that it is mildly comfortable. I remember my gear being painful when I was in Boot, but then after being with my unit, how much more comfortable it was when properly adjusted. It is worth 20 minutes of no sleep to have a ruck that fits.
During Swim Quals, swim like a mother ****er - even if you can’t swim well - do NOT freak out when the helmet (which is always too large) covers your face - there is still plenty of air between your mouth and the inside of the helmet - just relax and breath. They will not let you drown. Also, when swimming with a pack and gear, remember that it takes it all a few seconds to float - it’s not like a life jacket.
When humping, learn to sleep - just keep moving your legs.
When humping up a hill, remember to straighten your leg all the way out (you will be going quick, but it will save you a lot of muscle and knee wear and tear). In other words, take the regular step, but then as you shift your weight make sure you fully extend your leg.
If you **** up, admit it and move on - DO NOT LIE or they will crucify you.
It is faster to pull your blouse over the top of your head than to button and unbutton it. Once you get to ITB/MCT start unbuttoning it again or you'll get laughed at.
Horde boot bands and always keep a spare or two somewhere on your body. If you see one in the dirt and have time to get it, grab that ****er.
When they say clean, they mean clean at the atomic level. If you think you’re done, you’re not, do it better.
Practice sitting criss-cross, left leg on top for extended periods of time.
Likewise, practice kneeling on gravel for extended periods of time.
Pay attention to the details - especially **** that the DIs specifically tell you to do (where your shower shoes go for example - that **** better be ****ing perfect).
Try to get the bottom bunk - that extra 0.25 seconds of sleep counts (I was on the top bunk and missed out on nearly a minute and a half of sleep in Boot.)
No matter if you are doing something right, you are wrong - just get used to the idea now.
Receiving (the first few days) is actually pretty easy - just pay attention. There is very little physical work at this time so enjoy the break.
**** at night.
Whenever you get a chance, put the first one or two combination numbers into your lock so that the third one is ready to go (saves you another few seconds).
Help the Marines around you (especially in keeping them awake as you will be punished if you are close and did nothing.)
Learn how to tie a half and full Windsor knot (and be able to **** it out in a nanosecond.)
Never say anything quietly (always use your outside voice) when talking to or around DIs.
If your boots don’t fit right, TELL SOMEONE - don’t try to suck it up to seem hard - the only thing that will happen is you will increase your odds of not graduating because of injury. Don’t be foolish. There are times for hardcore ****, but this ain’t one of them.
When exposed to CS, enjoy the experience. Breathe as close to regular as you can (but mostly through your nose). Only try to look through one eye (unless they catch you). When you get out of the chamber, do NOT touch anything on your skin - especially your eyes and nose. The pleasant tingling will pass quickly enough (unless you rub it in). Also, it will absolutely NOT kill you no matter how much you breathe it (this kind of becomes a “battle” after you get to your unit to see who can stand it the longest). Remember that the chamber is designed to be “fun.”
Water IT sucks more than anything else. “Drink, drink, drink. You have 30 seconds to go to the head and refill it. Drink, drink, drink.” God, I hated that.
Grenades are not “fun” and will kill you if you are stupid. Don’t try to look and see what the explosion looks like - Call Of Duty 4 is close enough.
When you get homesick (which is a normal psychological response), just remember that you are not a little kid any more and that you are becoming a man. Life at home wasn’t that good anyway.
If you are dating someone before you go it, break off the relationship. It will be much easier to deal with. She’ll probably cheat on you anyway. Then again, if you don’t break up, she will be the 1 in a million that does not cheat on you - so you can focus on becoming a Marine.
SOI or MCT is much harder than Boot (at least physically.)
When you’re tired and your pussy hurts, take a Motrin and rub some dirt on it.
When the corpsmen are giving shots, don’t move.
Know these inside and out, forwards and backward, out of order, and when first waking up: US Marine Corp Rank, Marines Hymn, USMC Core Values, M16A4 Rifle Characteristics, General Orders, Code of Conduct (UCMJ)
“Too slow, get back,” sounds like fun, but begins to suck after 3 times. “Aye, sir!”
Don’t bring a Jelly Donut.
Don’t get tunnel vision – even when you’re being yelled at, listen and observe **** that is going on around you.
NEVER EVER EVER talk back to a DI. You will ALWAYS be wrong. “Aye, sir,” is the only response you need to know.
Keep in mind, that Boot Camp is not designed to weed out those that are not physically fit, but rather it is to prevent weak-willed or weak-minded people from becoming Marines. The PT is important, but it’s your mental toughness that will either make or break you.
It is much better to be dead than someone that was “almost a Marine” or “Has a cousin that’s a Marine” or “dropped out of Boot Camp because I didn’t like it"
In no particular order:
Study up to the moment you leave.
Sleep whenever you can but never when your not supposed to (snapping in will be your hardest challenge to stay awake - I focused on keeping others awake and this helped me stay awake - you’ll get real used to that feeling of your face not working right because it is so tired).
Listen to everything and everyone. Remember everything.
If needed, ask for help from your peers and if that doesn’t work - ask a DI, but be aware that you’ll bring down the pain when you do it - but at the same time, they will always make sure you really understand something.
Remember to laugh (on the inside) at all the silly **** that goes on. Smile to yourself late at night if you have to but I recommend waiting until you leave Boot before laughing or smiling.
Keep a record of highlights.
Be aggressive as hell (in everything). “One, Two, Three, Four, Attack the Chow Hall, Aye Sir!”
Remember that slow is smooth and smooth is fast (but still don’t take your ****ing time on anything).
Organize your footlocker and memorize where everything is inside it - you have no idea how much this will help you.
Always give Chesty and the Corps their dues (you’ll understand later).
If and when you feel like you had a rough day (and it will probably happen on many days), just remember why you are there.
Stay awake in classes (intentionally sitting uncomfortably or biting your cheek, etc helps ).
Don’t wear anything Marine Corps related to Boot or MEPS. Likewise, don’t get a high and tight or anything like that before you go. Unless you want to be the crazy recruit that wore a USMC shirt to boot camp ;)
Learn to use your peripheral vision (always look straight ahead - except when you need to look around - then do it real quick).
Three to a ****er.
IT (or IPT) inside the squad bay is MUCH worse than when outside (pray it doesn’t happen often).
Go for squad leader or guide (squad leader being the better of the two as you will learn how to march with a rifle).
Make sure ALL your **** is squared away before you sleep - if you know **** is not perfect ask one of the firewatches to wake you up so you can finish after lights out.
Don’t be a house mouse or scribe. When the DIs ask for anyone with college experience (even if you have it), do NOT raise your hand. Being a house mouse will grant you lots of free **** but everyone will look down on you because you get out of everything.
Likewise, try to be the scribe's best friend.
Take the time (usually at night) to adjust your field gear so that it is mildly comfortable. I remember my gear being painful when I was in Boot, but then after being with my unit, how much more comfortable it was when properly adjusted. It is worth 20 minutes of no sleep to have a ruck that fits.
During Swim Quals, swim like a mother ****er - even if you can’t swim well - do NOT freak out when the helmet (which is always too large) covers your face - there is still plenty of air between your mouth and the inside of the helmet - just relax and breath. They will not let you drown. Also, when swimming with a pack and gear, remember that it takes it all a few seconds to float - it’s not like a life jacket.
When humping, learn to sleep - just keep moving your legs.
When humping up a hill, remember to straighten your leg all the way out (you will be going quick, but it will save you a lot of muscle and knee wear and tear). In other words, take the regular step, but then as you shift your weight make sure you fully extend your leg.
If you **** up, admit it and move on - DO NOT LIE or they will crucify you.
It is faster to pull your blouse over the top of your head than to button and unbutton it. Once you get to ITB/MCT start unbuttoning it again or you'll get laughed at.
Horde boot bands and always keep a spare or two somewhere on your body. If you see one in the dirt and have time to get it, grab that ****er.
When they say clean, they mean clean at the atomic level. If you think you’re done, you’re not, do it better.
Practice sitting criss-cross, left leg on top for extended periods of time.
Likewise, practice kneeling on gravel for extended periods of time.
Pay attention to the details - especially **** that the DIs specifically tell you to do (where your shower shoes go for example - that **** better be ****ing perfect).
Try to get the bottom bunk - that extra 0.25 seconds of sleep counts (I was on the top bunk and missed out on nearly a minute and a half of sleep in Boot.)
No matter if you are doing something right, you are wrong - just get used to the idea now.
Receiving (the first few days) is actually pretty easy - just pay attention. There is very little physical work at this time so enjoy the break.
**** at night.
Whenever you get a chance, put the first one or two combination numbers into your lock so that the third one is ready to go (saves you another few seconds).
Help the Marines around you (especially in keeping them awake as you will be punished if you are close and did nothing.)
Learn how to tie a half and full Windsor knot (and be able to **** it out in a nanosecond.)
Never say anything quietly (always use your outside voice) when talking to or around DIs.
If your boots don’t fit right, TELL SOMEONE - don’t try to suck it up to seem hard - the only thing that will happen is you will increase your odds of not graduating because of injury. Don’t be foolish. There are times for hardcore ****, but this ain’t one of them.
When exposed to CS, enjoy the experience. Breathe as close to regular as you can (but mostly through your nose). Only try to look through one eye (unless they catch you). When you get out of the chamber, do NOT touch anything on your skin - especially your eyes and nose. The pleasant tingling will pass quickly enough (unless you rub it in). Also, it will absolutely NOT kill you no matter how much you breathe it (this kind of becomes a “battle” after you get to your unit to see who can stand it the longest). Remember that the chamber is designed to be “fun.”
Water IT sucks more than anything else. “Drink, drink, drink. You have 30 seconds to go to the head and refill it. Drink, drink, drink.” God, I hated that.
Grenades are not “fun” and will kill you if you are stupid. Don’t try to look and see what the explosion looks like - Call Of Duty 4 is close enough.
When you get homesick (which is a normal psychological response), just remember that you are not a little kid any more and that you are becoming a man. Life at home wasn’t that good anyway.
If you are dating someone before you go it, break off the relationship. It will be much easier to deal with. She’ll probably cheat on you anyway. Then again, if you don’t break up, she will be the 1 in a million that does not cheat on you - so you can focus on becoming a Marine.
SOI or MCT is much harder than Boot (at least physically.)
When you’re tired and your pussy hurts, take a Motrin and rub some dirt on it.
When the corpsmen are giving shots, don’t move.
Know these inside and out, forwards and backward, out of order, and when first waking up: US Marine Corp Rank, Marines Hymn, USMC Core Values, M16A4 Rifle Characteristics, General Orders, Code of Conduct (UCMJ)
“Too slow, get back,” sounds like fun, but begins to suck after 3 times. “Aye, sir!”
Don’t bring a Jelly Donut.
Don’t get tunnel vision – even when you’re being yelled at, listen and observe **** that is going on around you.
NEVER EVER EVER talk back to a DI. You will ALWAYS be wrong. “Aye, sir,” is the only response you need to know.
Keep in mind, that Boot Camp is not designed to weed out those that are not physically fit, but rather it is to prevent weak-willed or weak-minded people from becoming Marines. The PT is important, but it’s your mental toughness that will either make or break you.
It is much better to be dead than someone that was “almost a Marine” or “Has a cousin that’s a Marine” or “dropped out of Boot Camp because I didn’t like it"