What to expect of New Recruits

[thedrifter]

What to expect of New Recruits

This section (6 pages) was put together for us by:
MMO Member - Dottie, Proud mom of PFC Josh Bradford




· Parris Island Website ~ http://www.parrisisland.com/. Click on “Recruit Training” & then “Recruit Training Objectives”. At the end is a week by week training schedule. Also check “Visitor Information”.
You can also print a map of PI Visitors Map

· “Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce” www.beaufortsc.org . Ask for a packet of hotels & sights.

On the day your recruit travels to Parris Island, you might receive a call as food stops are made along the way. Around midnight, you will receive a collect call lasting about 10 seconds saying your recruit has arrived at Parris Island. (You will NOT receive any other calls from your recruit during training until after the Crucible on Sunday afternoon when there is a 4 hour Liberty on Base.) Rarely, recruits earn a brief call for a special achievement during boot camp.

· Within a week you should receive a post card with your recruit’s official address. (Delete the Social Security #. It’s not necessary & should be protected.) Soon after you’ll receive a form letter with further instructions for families.

· (If you have a computer you may want to make mailing labels for yourself and return address labels to send your recruit! This address is long and labels will not only be easier but will prevent errors. (Give to family & friends to encourage letters!!) Be sure to tell everyone NOT to write any notes on the outside of the envelopes or to use perfume or any fancy envelopes. Recruits have been known to do push-ups saying, “I love you”, or even sing “Happy Birthday” to themselves!!

· Many recruits get homesick and those first few letters may be depressing. Saying you miss them will only make it worse. It is important to write encouraging letters emphasizing how proud you are! Help your recruit feel connected by writing about your daily lives, the weather and enclose news/sports clippings, cartoons, photos, church bulletin, etc. Tell of your travel plans to proudly watch the EGA Ceremony or Graduation...............count the days!

· If your letter is only 2-3 pages, you can include an “instant letter - just add words” (2 sheets of stationery in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to yourself!) without adding extra postage. (You may want to weigh one at the post office to be sure.) There is little and sometimes NO time for reading or writing letters so this saves time for your recruit. Many parents also send “fill-in-the-blank” letters or postcards to be sure they get answers to their questions!

· Care Packages to your recruit can include: letter-writing supplies, one package at a time of “the best tasting cough drops you can find” (they yell “Sir, yes Sir!!” all day long!), Gold Bond Powder & foam insoles for their combat boots. (They are constantly on their feet ~ sweating!) NO GOODIES or gum unless your recruit says it’s OK. Junk food is often confiscated or the recruit has to eat it entirely & immediately in addition to punishment push-ups!

· Decide NOW (if you can) whether or not you will be able to attend graduation and bring your new Marine home for 10 days leave. If you will not be there, a plane or bus ticket will be needed to get him/her home. They have an opportunity to buy this during a session at PI or you might choose to get the ticket yourself.

· After graduation from Parris Island, your Marine will be given a portfolio with orders and complete military & medical records. (You may want to make a copy of important papers to keep at home ~ things get lost in the military!) The “orders” tell all the specifics of reporting to MCT at Camp Lejeune. Arrival is to be NO LATER THAN 3 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday after graduation. (specific date on orders) Your Marine has to take ALL issued clothing and equipment and no extra "luggage" You need to decide ASAP if you would like to drive your Marine or if you expect him/her to take a bus or plane. These tickets can be purchased at boot camp as well, or you can make your own arrangements. (Discounted air fares go quickly.) You need to let your recruit know early enough what you would like him/her to do.

If you are driving your Marine to MCT and need overnight lodging “The Hospitality House (910-451-3041) on Lejeune is a great place to stay. Reasonably priced (around $40) and convenient, the rooms have 2 king size beds, fully stocked kitchenettes, laundry facilities, and they've always been clean! Rooms can be reserved up to 30 days in advance, or are available on a first come-first serve basis daily (around 10 am). Your Marine will have to sign for you ). “

· For questions regarding MCT, check Lejeune website http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/soi/ ~ (Chaplain 910-451-2264)

· The # to get a Marine’s address for MCT at Camp Geiger is 910-450-0401 but most do not get mail while there. If they do, it is all old mail that was addressed to them at bootcamp (mail that is just now catching up to them.) They seldom get current mail. They are not able to write or call until the night before graduation .

· MCT begins immediately with processing, issuing of equipment and out to the field on Wednesday. (2-man tents, 3-day “war”, recon with M-16, etc.). They return only once in the middle of training, late at night, enough time for a shower and short night's sleep. Then back out in the field until the Wed. before grad. On the 3rd Friday after arriving, there is a very brief graduation ceremony. Then all the Marines get on buses to head for their MOS schools. Many will be at the airport for 6 or so hours with others waiting for their various flights. (tickets are paid for by Uncle Sam. .) You may get lots of calls that day. (be home and make sure he has a calling card - I've heard Sam's club is best - or you'll have some LARGE collect calls on your bill. At MOS they usually have lots of free time to call.


http://www.marinemail.com/parris_island_1.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

Boot Camp <br />
<br />
. . . through the eyes of a recruit <br />
<br />
by Don J. Flickinger <br />
<br />
Sgt. USMC

[thedrifter]

Marine Corps Schools: The Key to Enhancing Your Career

By Tami Faram
Whether you are just about to enter Marine Corps boot camp as a new recruit or you are already climbing the ladder among Marine Corps leaders, education is the key to enhancing your career.

The Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM) at Quantico, Va., guides Marines along the path of their military careers. TECOM lays the blueprint for required and recommended training and academic courses for Marines who are just out of boot camp as well as for those who are advancing toward promotion.

It All Starts Here
Many young men and women agree that the 13 weeks of their initial Marine Corps boot camp is the foundation for their careers. They begin those careers at one of two locations, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, N.C., or MCRD San Diego, California.

Those ready to enter Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Quantico also find that OCS is the basis from which all other Marine Corps training and education begins.

In both cases, subjects learned in these two training environments are revisited by each Marine as they progress through the ranks.

Enlisted Marines
When boot camp ends, the first step for new Marines is five weeks at either the Marine Combat Training Command or the School of Infantry. According to Sgt. Armando Tijerina, a unit programmer at the Ground Training Branch at TECOM, "These schools teach you how to survive in a jungle environment. They teach Marines to work as a team - in small units. And they teach Marines how to count on their teammates to watch their backs."

From there, Marines go to their military occupational specialty (MOS) school. This can take from a month to more than a year, depending on the job for which they're training.

After working in their MOS, enlisted Marines then move on to their professional military education (PME). Each PME allows a Marine to further his or her professionalism, leadership, communication skills, and warfighting tactics. PME's also provide the tools to help noncommissioned officers (NCO's) guide other Marines and to serve as examples to their battalion or platoon.

One way to do this is through the Marine Corps Institute (MCI), (http://www.mci.usmc.mil) located in the Washington, D.C., Navy Yard. MCI offers correspondence courses and college credit for certain academic programs to enlisted personnel as well as officers, and it teaches a broad range of subjects. Courses cover everything from Marine Corps history to weapons systems as well as basic academic skills.

Advancing Within the Ranks
For specific promotions through the Corps, required courses include the Corporals Course, Sergeants Course, Career Course, and the Advanced Course. They are held at one of the four major Staff NCO Academies at Quantico, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Okinawa, Japan. The SNOC's, as they are called, educate and train noncommissioned officers and enhance a Marine's professional qualifications. They also prepare officers who will be taking on greater responsibilities within the Corps.

The Corporals Course is for Marines advancing to the rank of E-4, or corporal. This course is typically operated on a local battalion level, according to Sgt. Major Jim Mashburn, director of the Staff NCO Academy at Quantico. He explains that TECOM provides basic information on what to cover in the course, but that it's up to the local battalion to interject its additional course needs.

"The battalion commander will tell the sergeant major when it's time to initiate the course," Mashburn says. "The course could be held once a quarter or every six months. And some battalions will piggyback onto another battalion's course, depending on the number of corporals they have."

Mashburn adds that the bases at Twentynine Palms, Calif., and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, are developing formal corporals courses that are slated to begin this year. They run anywhere from 10 days to a month.

The Sergeants Course is for the E-5, or sergeant, and is a seven-week emphasis on leadership development and warfighting tactics to lead Marines in combat. Sergeants train to be small-unit leaders, and upon graduation they can lead a physical training session, drill a platoon, prepare Marines for inspection, and provide instruction. In addition to the four NCO school locations, Twentynine Palms and Kaneohe Bay also conduct the Sergeants Course.


http://www.lifelines2000.org/services/articles/20020930/131309.asp?RootID=429



The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

About Zell Miller

On the Marine Corps turning around his Life.....

http://miller.senate.gov/usmc.htm


The Drifter
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[Echo_Four_Bravo]

His book Core Values sits on my night stand. I must've read it though fifty or sixty times, but it is still well worth the read. That man knows how to tell a story!

[thedrifter]

Recruit Training

Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego is one of the birthplaces of basically trained Marines. It is here where America's young men are transformed into Marines. We believe that Marines are forged in a furnace of shared hardship and tough training. This shared, intense experience creates bonds of comradeship and standards of conduct so strong that Marines will let nothing stand in their way. This belief will continue to be the basis upon which we make Marines.

Holding on to the high character of the Marines of the past, we look for ways to inculcate the strong values that have become synonymous with the Marine Corps. Through MCRD’s challenging recruit training the Marine Corps is preparing its Marines for the 21st century.

Marine Corps recruits are trained not only physically and mentally, but morally as well. Forming the bedrock of any Marine's character are the Core Values -- Honor, Courage and Commitment. By incorporating these values into recruit training, the Marine created is not just a basically trained, morally conscious Marine, but also a better American citizen who will return to society following his or her service to this country.

Taking Up The Challenge

It has been said time and time again by former Marines that Marine Corps recruit training was the most difficult thing they ever had to do in their entire lives. In order to train the world's most elite fighting force, it has to be that way.

Upon arrival at MCRD, a new recruit begins a virtually non-stop journey, the end of which results in the transformation of that recruit into a new Marine.

Recruit Receiving

The first stop is at Recruit Receiving, where new recruits spend the first few days of their recruit training experience. Here they will receive their first haircut and their initial gear issue, which includes items like uniforms, toiletries and letter writing supplies. During this time recruits will also be given a full medical and dental screening, and take the Initial Strength Test. This test consists of a one and a half mile run, sit-ups and pull-ups to test recruits to see if they're in shape to begin training.

Forming

Forming is the period when recruits are taken to their training companies and they "meet" their drill instructors for the first time. During Forming's 3-5 days, recruits learn the basics: how to march, how to wear their uniform, how to secure their weapon, etc. This period of time allows recruits to adjust to the recruit training way of life before the first actual training day

Drill

Drill is the basic way in which platoons march and move from place to place. At first, recruits will practice just staying in step with the rest of the platoon and the drill instructor. However, as training continues, the platoon becomes a well-oiled machine performing synchronous, complex drill movements. During recruit training, platoons will also compete in two drill competitions. Drill is mainly used to instill discipline, team pride and unit cohesion.


http://www.mcrdsd.usmc.mil/RTR/trainingDS.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- It's 3 a.m. and Marine drill instructors interrupt your beauty sleep by slamming the door to your hut and yelling for you and your fellow recruits to get out of the rack, get your gear on and get outside -- NOW!

For the past 49 hours, you have had little sleep, little food, and you and your team have endured a physically, mentally and emotionally challenging test. You have been participating in the Crucible -- the culminating event of Marine Corps basic training.

Now it's almost over. By 8 a.m., your company will be on the Parade Deck of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot here, receiving the insignia with the symbol of the Marine Corps -- the eagle, globe and anchor. There's just one more hurdle to leap: a nine-mile road march.

At 3:45 a.m., the company assembles. Your feet and muscles hurt, but other recruits limp into place, too. No one quits. Everyone wants to finish. The end is close enough you can almost taste it. You shoulder your backpack and weapon and clap on your Kevlar helmet. Then you check your teammates' equipment. One last slug from your canteen and you're ready.

One of the drill instructors says that at least the weather is decent, and you have to agree. There hasn't been a drop of rain during this Crucible, and the temperature has gone from the upper 40s to the mid-80s. Right now, the temperature is in the 60s. It's humid, but nothing like when you got to the South Carolina lowlands 11 weeks ago.

That, you recall, was the last time you had any individuality. Since then, you have been addressed as "recruit." You've had to begin every sentence with "Sir, this recruit would like to know ... ." You have learned to hate the word "recruit."

continued.....
http://www.dod.mil/specials/basic/march.html

Rite to Passage
http://www.dod.mil/specials/basic/




The Drifter
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[jenrmurray]

I love the article about boot camp through the eyes of a recruit.

The former happy civilian steps off the bus into a world of disorientation. His mind is snapped into abject shock. Cardiac arrest is a distinct possibility.

awsome. :)

[thedrifter]

jenrmurray....We are trying to give you all views and learning tools before you place your feet on those yellow foot prints........



The Electronic Data Processing Test

The Electronic Data Processing Test (EDPT) has the reputation of being one of the hardest tests that one can take at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

The EDPT is used by only two of the military services: The Air Force and the Marine Corps.

The test is used to evaluate one’s basic ability to learn a military job which involves computer programming or working with electronic data processing equipment.

Information about the EDPT is surprisingly difficult to come by. Unlike the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and the Defense Language Aptitude Test (DLAB), it’s hard to find people with enough memory of what went on during the test to give a good overview of the test procedures.

The test is basically designed to tests one’s concept of “logic,” for lack of a better term. There are 117 questions on the test, in four different areas:

Change Comparisons. This is much like the object assembly portion of the ASVAB, but is reported to be much harder. In this section of the test, you are shown three geometric shapes. You are then required to select a fourth shape from a list of possibilities that corresponds to the third shape in the same way that the second shape corresponds to the first shape.

Numbers Logic. This portion of the test measures your ability to decode continuing patterns of numbers.

For example, one may be shown the following series of numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, and ask what the next number is (multiple guess with five -- not four -- possible answers). In this case, of course, the next number is 9, because the series was showing a list of all the odd numbers. Of course, don’t expect the number series shown on the EDPT to be so simple!

Algebra/Math Problems. Exactly what it says. This section of the tests asks you to solve various algebra equations and word problems that need algebra to solve. The problems here are reported to be much more advanced than the basic algebra questions asked on the ASVAB. While the actual math isn't all that hard, setting up the problem, and finding the logical solution, based on the very little bit of information you are given can be time-consuming. Therefore, those taking the test sometimes spend too much time on this portion of the test, at the expense of other, easier sections of the test.

Anologies. "Hoof is to Horse as Paw is to (blank)" with four possible answers (example: dog, octopus, zebra, allegator).

Applicants have one hour to complete the test. However, don’t be surprised if you don’t complete all 117 questions in one hour. Most people do not, and you do not need to complete all the questions to get a qualifying score. Most Marine Corps and Air Force computer and electronic data processing jobs only require a score of 71 (Air Force) and 50 (Marine Corps).

Because wrong answers aren't counted against you, it is wise on this test to skip ahead to answer the easier questions, then go back to cover the tough ones. That way you won't miss a point for not getting to one of the easy questions that could have been answered quickly.

Once the EDPT has been taken, one cannot re-test for a period of six months. MEPS commanders may authorize an immediate retest when original tests were administered under adverse conditions (i.e., undue distractions). This does not include illness that existed before the test session because the applicant is informed not to take the test if ill.

There are no EDPT study guides available to my knowledge. There probably never will be, as relatively few people are required to take this test (only a few Air Force and Marine Corps recruits who are applying for a few, very specific jobs). The best advice to prepare for this test is to practice your math and algebra skills. As I said above, this test is considered by many to be the toughest aptitude test given at MEPS, so you will want a good night’s sleep before the test.

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/edpt.htm



The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

United States Navy and Marine Corps <br />
Criminal History Disqualification's <br />
<br />
As with the other services, the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy screen applicants for &quot;moral...

[thedrifter]

Marine Corps Recruit Weight Chart

Weight Chart Requirements for Entry into the USMC DEP - Female


The chart below shows the weight requirements for females to enlist in the Marine Corps Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP).

Applicants who exceed the weight limits below require a waiver, approved by the Marine Corps Recruiting Region Commanding General, in order to enlist in the DEP. Waivers are only approved if the female recruit can achieve a 2nd Class Score on the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT), and does not exceed allowable body-fat limits.

The Marine Corps Body-Fat limit for female recruits is 26 percent. The procedures to measure body fat can be found in Marine Corps Order (MCO) 6100.12 - MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST AND BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM MANUAL.

Prior to shipping out to basic training, Marine Recruits must meet different (more strict) weight standards, known as the "Retention Weight Standards." Female recruits who exceed the Retention Weight Standards can still ship out to basic training, if they receive an approved waiver from the Marine Corps Recruiting Region Commanding General. Waivers can only be submitted if the recruit is within allowable body-fat standards (26 percent), and achieves a 2nd class score on the PFT.



The chart below shows the weight requirements for females to enlist in the Marine Corps Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP).

Applicants who exceed the weight limits below require a waiver, approved by the Marine Corps Recruiting Region Commanding General, in order to enlist in the DEP. Waivers are only approved if the female recruit can achieve a 2nd Class Score on the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT), and does not exceed allowable body-fat limits.

The Marine Corps Body-Fat limit for female recruits is 26 percent. The procedures to measure body fat can be found in Marine Corps Order (MCO) 6100.12 - MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST AND BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM MANUAL.

Prior to shipping out to basic training, Marine Recruits must meet different (more strict) weight standards, known as the "Retention Weight Standards." Female recruits who exceed the Retention Weight Standards can still ship out to basic training, if they receive an approved waiver from the Marine Corps Recruiting Region Commanding General. Waivers can only be submitted if the recruit is within allowable body-fat standards (26 percent), and achieves a 2nd class score on the PFT.


http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blusmcrecruitweightfemale.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

Marine Corps Recruit Weight Chart

Weight Chart Requirements for Entry into the USMC DEP - Male

The chart below shows the weight requirements for males to enlist in the Marine Corps Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP).

Applicants who exceed the weight limits below require a waiver, approved by the Marine Corps Recruiting Region Commanding General, in order to enlist in the DEP. Waivers are only approved if the recruit can meet the Initial Strength Test (IST) requirements, and does not exceed allowable body fat limits.

The Marine Corps Body-Fat limit for male recruits is 18 percent. The procedures to measure body fat can be found in Marine Corps Order (MCO) 6100.12 - MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST AND BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM MANUAL.

Prior to shipping out to basic training, Marine Recruits must meet different (more strict) weight standards, known as the "Retention Weight Standards." Recruits who exceed the Retention Weight Standards can still ship out to basic training, if any of the following conditions are met:

Within 5 percent of retention weight standards: If the recruit passes the IST, he can ship to basic training with no waiver.

More than 5 percent over retention weight: Recruit must pass the IST, and receive a waiver from the Marine Corps Recruiting District Commanding Officer.

More than 10 percent over retention weight: Recruit must pass the IST, be within body-fat standards (18 percent), and receive a waiver from the Marine Corps Recruiting Region Commanding General.

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blusmcrecruitweightmale.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

Marine Corps Initial Strength Test

The minimum standards for passing the Initial Strength Test are as follows:

Male Female

2 Pull Ups Flexed Arm Hange - 12 seconds
35 Sit Ups (2 minutes) 35 Sit Ups (2 Minutes)
1.5 Mile Run - 13:30 1 Mile Run - 10:30

In Accordance with Marine Corps Order (MCO) P1100.72B - MILITARY PERSONNEL ROCUREMENT MANUAL, VOLUME 2, ENLISTED PROCUREMENT, paragraph 3274, all Marine Corps recruits, male and female, requiring recruit training (boot camp) are required to pass the IST prior to shipping to recruit training. All Marine Corps recruits who do not require recruit training will pass the standard Marine Corps PFT (President's Own excluded).


United States Marine Corps Regulations, Manuals, & Orders

Marine Corps Order (MCO) P1100.72B -- MILITARY PERSONNEL ROCUREMENT MANUAL, VOLUME 2, ENLISTED PROCUREMENT (SHORT TITLE: MPPM ENLPROC)

This manual is issued to promulgate policies and procedures for the guidance of personnel assigned to duties involving the procurement of enlisted Marines, to establish the criteria for enlistment, to establish procedures governing the processing of applicants, and to summarize recruiting support programs to be used in accomplishing the enlisted recruiting mission.

Note: This United States Marine Corps publication is stored on a United States Military (U.S. Marine Corps) web site. Unfortunately, for security reasons, the Marines have incorporated a delay. If you are accessing from a non-military computer, it may take several minutes to access the web page where the publication can be viewed. Have patience.

You must first download and install the FREE PDF Viewer Program from Adobe Software, in order to view the publication.. Depending on your Internet connection speed, large regulation files may take several minutes to download before they can be viewed.


http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blusmcist.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

United States Marine Corps

MOS (Job) Listing



http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blmarinejobs.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Jobs for Non-Citizens

Note: While the following Marine Corps MOS's (Jobs) do not require U.S. Citizenship, one must be a legal immigrant (with a green card) residing in the United States in order to join any branch of the United States Military. The Marine Corps cannot and will not assist with immigration. One must legally immigrate first, and then apply to join the U.S. Marine Corps. Once an immigrant joins the U.S. Military, normal residency requirements are waived and they can apply to become a United States Citizen after 3 years of active duty. One must be a U.S. Citizen to become a commissioned officer, or to re-enlist in the military.

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineenjobs/blnoncitizen.htm


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[thedrifter]

Who Has it Tougher?

Marine Enlisted Recruits, or Marine Officer Candidates?

by SSgt. F.B. Zimmerman,
United States Marine Corps

On any given day, enlisted Marines can be heard arguing about which is tougher, Parris Island or San Diego. But how many times have you heard Marines comparing boot camp to Officer Candidates School? It's a more difficult comparison because Marines who attended both aren't everywhere, and because the missions of the two are different.

One place you might have heard both viewpoints recently was at the Aug. 17 graduation of "G" Co., a six-week Bulldog/PLC Sr. combined company.

"OCS is a screening and evaluating process," said GySgt. Edward Yarbrough, former drill instructor who spent his summer away from his duties as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh to serve as a sergeant instructor with 3rd platoon, "G" Co. "Candidates come out of here qualified to do something ... when they graduate here, they're qualified to be trained."

Yarbrough also said the main differences between the training evolutions are the expectations.

"The mindset is completely off in different directions," said Yarbrough. "If a candidate messes up, it's his or her fault. If a recruit messes up, it's everyone's fault. The candidates have to be self-motivated ... if they don't want to be here, they're gonna leave."

Sergeant instructors, who are all former drill instructors, say the way they train recruits is different from candidates.

"At recruit training the recruits have very little knowledge about the military, and we have to hand-drag them through everything," said SSgt. William Sweeney, sergeant instructor with 3rd Platoon, "G" Co, who is the AMOI from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. "They learn through constant repetition and support on your part. We teach them instant obedience to orders.

"At OCS we don't stress teamwork as much. To a candidate, a platoon is one - himself. The candidates hit the ground running. When we tell them to do something, we expect it to get done without constant supervision."

Yarbrough added that the way recruits and candidates are evaluated is also dissimilar.

"The candidates are continually evaluated, while at recruit training, you look at the broader spectrum," he said. "Any little thing a candidate does is evaluated. For example, if a recruit goes down for heat, we take care of him and get him back into training. If a candidate goes down, we'll take care of him, but it may be put into his book that he failed to follow orders for not properly hydrating.

"Also, the candidates fill out peer evaluations, which are like small fitness reports. They use them to rate each other within their squads. We can use those to identify trends we might not have seen otherwise."

As for the Marines who have been through recruit training, one thing that's difficult for them is to once again have to prove they have what it takes.

"Coming here a staff NCO, it's tough taking off the rank and becoming a follower," said Candidate Jason Schrage, who, after graduating OCS Aug. 17, is once again a staff sergeant. "I wanted to jump out and take control. Wearing my pride on my sleeve was something I couldn't do, I had to have tough skin."

Schrage will return to Texas A&M to graduate before being commissioned.

The MECEP candidates also found that the road to becoming an officer means using a varied style of leadership.

"You can't motivate candidates the way you do enlisted," said Candidate Juan Lightfoot, a student from the University of Washington, who is once again a sergeant until he completes college and is commissioned. "When you're dealing with enlisted Marines, you kind of have to get them to fear you, but with candidates you can't do that. You have to encourage them. That was the hard part ... carrying over my enlisted characteristics."

For some of the Marines who had already worn enlisted stripes, OCS didn't hold a candle to boot camp in certain areas.

"Boot camp was a mental challenge that OCS could never compare to," said Lightfoot, who has spent five years in the enlisted ranks.

While it may be easy for recruits to settle into a routine at recruit training, Schrage said the candidates didn't have that luxury.

"At boot camp you're given time to do everything; you have a set schedule," said Schrage. "Here there's a set schedule, but things change and you have to work around them."

Another difference noticed by the Marines who traveled to OCS via MECEP was the physical training.

"We had PT every day at boot camp, but here it isn't as often, but it's more intense," said Schrage. "Here, everything is more on an individual level."

Most would think the prior enlisted Marines would stand out among the candidates, but that's not the case.

"At the beginning you can tell who's MECEP or ROTC, but after about two weeks, you can't tell the difference anymore," said Yarbrough. "They all look and act the same from that point on."

For the Marines who conduct the training at both recruit training and OCS, there is a difference in how they feel about their jobs.

"The amount of job satisfaction you get training potential Marines at OCS compared to boot camp is minimal," said GySgt. Douglas L. Smith, AMOI at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., who came to Quantico for the summer to serve as a Platoon Sergeant for 3rd Platoon, "G" Co. "You take recruits who literally act like they don't know their left from right and three months later, you scream something out and they're flying. At recruit training, we get to see the end product and here we don't."

Above Article Courtesy of United States Marine Corps

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/graphics/marineocs-1.gif

Candidates from "G" Co. fall on the ground in line after completing a task on the NATO Obstacle Course, waiting to tackle the next. The exhausted candidates took on the course after completing the Washboard Run. Official USMC photo by: SSgt. F.B. Zimmerman

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/graphics/marineocs-2.gif

Officer Candidates of OCS's "G" Co. take part in the Washboard Run during Small Unit Leadership Evaluation II. The candidates are flown into Landing Zone Sawmill at TBS, are tasked with an ammunition resupply mission and must run two miles of trails toting an ammunition crate per fire team.
Official USMC photo by: SSgt. F.B. Zimmerman

The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

United States Marine Corps (USMC)

Officer Job Descriptions

01 PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION

02 INTELLIGENCE

03 INFANTRY

04 LOGISTICS

05 MARINE AIR GROUND TASK FORCE (MAGTF)PLANS

06 COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

08 FIELD ARTILLERY

11 UTILITIES

13 ENGINEER, CONSTRUCTION, FACILITIES,AND EQUIPMENT

18 TANK AND ASSAULT AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE

21 ORDNANCE

23 AMMUITION AND EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL

25 OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

26 SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE/GROUND ELECTRONIC WARFARE

28 DATA/COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE

30 SUPPLY ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS

31 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

33 FOOD SERVICE

34 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

35 MOTOR TRANSPORT

40 DATA SYSTEMS

41 MARINE CORPS EXCHANGE

43 PUBLIC AFFAIRS

44 LEGAL SERVICES

46 VISUAL INFORMATION

55 MUSIC

57 NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL

58 CORRECTIONS

59 ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE

60 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE

63 AVIONICS

65 AVIATION ORDNANCE

66 AVIATION LOGISTICS

68 WEATHER SERVICE

70 AIRFIELD SERVICES

72 AIR CONTROL/AIR SUPPORT/ANTIAIR WARFARE/AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

73 NAVIGATION OFFICER AND ENLISTED FLIGHT CREWS

75 PILOTS/NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICERS

96 SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

9700, 9800 and 9900 IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING MOSs

Information Derived From MCO P12007V Part 1 Current as of Nov 00

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marineofficerjobs/blmarineofficerjobs.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

Marine Videos <br />
Videos about the U.S. Marine Corps. Noteworthy is a 50 minute video about Marine Boot Camp. <br />
<br />
Is proud to bring to you high quality, entertaining video products that focus...

[thedrifter]

Boot Camp Challenge

Main Menu


Welcome to the Boot Camp Challenge, an interactive story designed to take you through some of the thrills and spills of military basic training.

For the sake of simplicity, our adventure takes place in a hypothetical near-future, where members of all the services (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard) attend the same military boot camp. While this is a work of fiction, actual situations, scenarios, and experiences have been used from all of the current U.S. Military basic training courses. Your task, in these and future episodes, will be to successful navigate your way to completion.

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 1)
The adventure begins. Join our hero (Private G.I. Joe), and give him a hand as he makes his way through the thrills and spills of military boot camp (basic training). In Part 1, Joe gets ready to ship out.

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 2)
The Arrival. In part 2, our young hero arrives at Boondocks Military Training Base.

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 3)
In-Processing. In part 3, our Private Joe starts the "in-processing process."

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 4)
The Meeting. In Part 4, Joe meets his new focus in life, the Drill Sergeant.

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 5)
The New Home. In Part 5, Joe discovers where he will be living for the next several weeks.

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 6)
The First Training Day. In Part 6, Joe experiences his first "official morning" in Boot Camp.

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 7)
The First Training Day Continues. In Part 7, Joe finishes up the first day of training.

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 8)
Fireguard. In Part 8, Joe gets through his first stint as "fireguard."

Boot Camp Challenge (Part 9)
Platoon Leader. The adventure continues after a long break. I had to put the series on hold due to other commitments. However, Private Joe is back, and wonders of wonders, the Drill Sergeant has selected him to become the recruit-leader.

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/joe/bljoemenu.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

Marine Corps "Welcome Aboard - The Making of a Marine" handbook:


Marine Corps Values

Generation after generation of American men and women have given special meaning to the title United States Marine. These men and women live by a set of enduring Core Values which form the bedrock of their character. The Core Values give them strength and regulate their behavior; they bond the Marine Corps into a total force that can meet any challenge.


HONOR

Honor guides Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: never lie, cheat, or steal; abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; respect human dignity; and respect others. The qualities of maturity, dedication, trust and dependability commit Marines to act responsibly; to be accountable for their actions; to fulfill their obligations; and to hold others accountable for their actions.

COURAGE

Courage is the mental, moral, and physical strength ingrained in Marines. It carries them through the challenges of combat and aids them in overcoming fear. It is the inner strength that enables a Marine to do what is right; to adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct; to lead by example; and to make tough decisions under stress and pressure.

COMMITMENT

Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication found in Marines. It leads to the highest order of discipline for individuals and units. It is the ingredient that enables 24-hours a day dedication to the Corps and country. It inspires the unrelenting determination to achieve a standard of excellence in every endeavor.


As a future Marine, reaffirm these Core Values and ensure they guide your performance, behavior, and conduct every minute of the day.


Full Handbook
http://www.6mcd.usmc.mil/ftl_site/Handbook/welcome%20aboard.htm

The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

Table of Contents
What is US Marine Reconnaissance & who are these "Recon Marines"?
What's the difference between "Battalion" & "Force" Recon?
Are women allowed to try out for Marine Recon?
I'm thinking about joining the Marine Corps. How do I become a Recon Marine?
I'm already IN the Marine Corps. How do I try out for Recon?
What training and schools can I expect to attend?
Do Recon Marines get more pay than other Marines?
I'm going to be a Marine Officer, how do I get in Recon?
Do officers in Recon units lead their Marines on missions in the field?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is US Marine Reconnaissance & who are these "Recon Marines"?
US Marine Reconnaissance units are tasked with providing the commander of a larger force of Marines with information about his operational area. Their missions usually focus on specific information requirements which, due to their changing or unique nature, cannot be obtained by means other than putting a man on the ground to observe and report. Recon Marines are, by nature, capable of independent action in support of the larger unit's mission. We also are, as an additional and entirely separate focus, tasked with a wide variety of "direct action" missions which provide a Marine Amphibious Ready Group with a limited special operations capability.

We are similar in characteristics to Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Air Force Combat Controllers, but complement, rather than replace the other services "special" operational forces. In cooperation with these special operations forces, the deployed Marine units (including Recon support) provide a theater commander with a range of options. Marine Recon retains our basic focus as a supporting component of the combined arms Marine Air/Ground Task Force, constantly forward-deployed in the security interests of the United States.

http://www.forcerecon.com/reconfaq.htm


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[thedrifter]

Marine Corps Boot Camp FAQ & Graduation Guide

Marine Corps Recruit Training Cycle


Week Description Time
Processing Receiving/accessions 3 days
Forming Forming of training units 3-5 days
Week 1-4 General military subjects 23 TDs
Week 5 Swim week 6 TDs
Week 6-7 Marksmanship training 12 TDs
Week 8 Team week N/A
Week 9 A-line 6 TDs
Week 10 Basic Warrior Training 6 TDs
Week 11 The Crucible 6 TDs
Week 12 Graduation 5 TDs


Notes:

Recruit training cycle is 64 days

TD = Training Days

Source: Parris Island Graduation Info Packet



Training Cycle In Hours



Specific Training
Hours
Instruction Time
(Crucible/Combat Water Survival/Field Training)
279.5

Core Values

Academics/Values Reinforcement
41.5

Physical Training (PT)
59.0

Conditioning Hikes
13.0

Martial Arts Instruction
27.5

Close Order Drill
54.5

Administration
60.0

Senior DI Time
55.5

Movement Time
60.0

Sleep
479.0

Basic Daily Routine
210.0

Chow
179.0

Total
1518.5


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

Preparation Guide for the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test

Congratulations on your decision to pursue a commission in the United States Marine Corps. As you know, physical fitness is a trademark of Marines. The following programs are designed to help you improve your current level of physical fitness and improve your score on the Physical Fitness Test. (PFT). These programs are geared toward beginners, so you can tailor them to suit your current level of fitness.

THE ARMSTRONG PULLUP PROGRAM
Developed by Major Charles Lewis Armstrong, USMC, this program consists of two workouts per day, five days a week. Most people who stick with this program are able to do 20 pullups within 4 to 6 weeks.

Every morning, do three maximum effort sets of push-ups. Major Armstrong said that he would get out of bed and hit the floor to do his first max set. He would then go and shave, and return to do his next set. A few minutes later, he would do his third maximum effort set. The push up is one of the best exercises to develop arm strength for pull-ups. The rest of the routine goes like this:

Monday Do five max effort sets of pull-ups, resting one minute between each set

Tuesday Do a pyramid of repetitions, starting with one pull-up then 10 seconds of rest, 2 pull-ups and 20 seconds of rest, 3 pull-ups and 30 seconds of rest, and so on until you are unable to do more repetitions than your previous set.

Wednesday Do three “training sets” of overhand pull-ups three sets of underhand pull-ups, and three sets of overhand pull-ups where the back of your neck touches the bar. A training set is dictated by your current level of strength. If you are advanced, it might be 5 or 6. Rest one minute between sets. The goal of the workout is to do the same number of repetitions per set, so start off conservatively, if you can only do 1, use one.

Thursday Do training sets, resting one minute between each set, until you are unable to complete a set. Use the same number of repetitions that you used in your Wednesday sets. This will probably turn out to be your longest (and hardest) day.

Friday Repeat the day that you had the most trouble with during the week.

Take the weekends off. Your muscles will need this time to recover. Females can adapt the flexed arm hang to this program by simply replacing repetitions with hang times. The key to this program is regularity and COMMITMENT. If you follow the program consistently, you should see improvement within a few weeks.

CRUNCHES


To do a correct Marine Corps crunch, lay on your back with your feet flat on the deck, and your butt close to your heels. Your arms should be crossed on your chest or your stomach. They cannot come off of your chest/stomach during the PFT. To do a correct crunch, raise your upper body off of the deck until your forearms touch your thighs. Go back down until your shoulder blades touch the deck. That is one crunch. To max the crunches on the PFT, you must do 100 in 2 minutes. There are several different ways to train for the crunches.

Endurance Sets To be able to do 100 crunches in two minutes, you must first develop the endurance to do 100 crunches. Get into position, and do 100 crunches without keeping track of time. Focus on proper form. After you do 100, rest for a couple of minutes and repeat. You should do 2 more maximum effort sets, building up to 3 sets of 100 crunches.

Speed Sets Get into position, and do 30 crunches as fast as you can, while still maintaining proper form. Rest for 1 minute and repeat. You should do 5 or 6 sets in this manner.

Incline Sets If you have any access to an incline board, get into position on it and do as many crunches as you can, until you cannot physically complete a complete crunch. Rest 1 minute and repeat. Do 3 to 4 sets in this manner.

RUNNING

The only way to get faster is to run, run, run. However, heading out the door and trotting along a few times a week will not do much to lower your time!!! I hear “Maam, I run three times a week and never get any faster” Ask yourself are you running or are you jogging? A little discomfort is ok and if you only run within your comfort zone you are going to stay a turtle forever.

Here is a simple plan for beginners who want to build speed and endurance, and prepare for the PFT. Experienced runners can modify the mileage and speed in these workouts to suit their level of fitness and/or goals.

Every run should begin with a five minute warm-up jog, followed by five to ten minutes of stretching, hitting all the major muscle groups. Each run should end the same way, with a cool down jog and stretching. Having good flexibility will go a long way to reduce the chance of injury and improve your times.

Sunday Long run. This is your endurance building day. Run 4-6 miles at a slow, comfortable pace (probably 1-2 minutes per mile slower than your current 3 mile PFT pace).

Monday Off

Tuesday Speed Day. Find a track, or an area where you can measure out 200, 400, and 800 meters. After warming up, run 800 meters at a pace faster than your current PFT pace. It should not be an all out sprint, but should still leave you winded. Cool down with a one lap (or two minute) jog, and repeat. In your first few weeks, do two 800’s, two 400’s, and two 200’s. As your fitness increases, you can adjust the intensity of your speed work out.

Wednesday Off

Thursday Tempo Run. Run 3 miles at a pace slightly slower (maybe 20 seconds per mile) than your current PFT pace.

Friday Off

Saturday Hills. Find a hill about 200-400 meters long that is fairly steep, but not so steep that your heels cannot hit the ground when you run. Sprint to the top, and walk or jog back down to recover. Repeat 4-6 times.

INJURY PREVENTION

You will feel initial soreness when you begin a physical training program. If you feel that you are injured, stop immediately and seek medical attention before continuing. These are very basic programs, designed to allow you to adjust them according to your current level of fitness. Good Luck, and have fun with it!!!


http://www.4mcd.usmc.mil/AOP/OSOHyattsville/PT%20Prep%20Guide.htm

Another Fitness Link......
http://www.oo-rah.com/gen/pt.shtml

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[thedrifter]

Why show up at your boot camp or a service academy unprepared for the physical fitness test? You would be surprised, but many people are physically unprepared for life in the military when they arrive. Why make life your first time away from home any more stressful than it already is?

If you show up fit and able to pass your respective Personal Fitness Test (PFT) easily, the fitness part of boot camp will be a stress releaser -- not a stress increaser! If you prepare yourself properly, you can go into the military able to compete instead of having the mentality of just surviving. This makes all the difference in the world between those who graduate and those who quit.

You have to take a running test -- so run! You have to take a swimming test -- so swim! You’ll also have to do push-ups and sit-ups. Some boot camps even have you do pull-ups- so practice those calisthenics.

Here are the exercises of all the PFTs, with helpful tips to increase your overall score on test day:

Test yourself. The anxiety felt by most service members is largely due to performing within a time limit. The more your workouts are timed, the better you are at "pacing" yourself, thus eliminating most anxiety.

Pull-ups: During the pull-up and push-up test, you want to perform these as fast as possible while adhering to the proper form and technique. Also, look straight up at the sky in order to use your back muscles more for pull-ups.

Recommended workout: pyramid workout. Start off with just one pull-up for the first set, two pull-ups for the second set. Continue up the pyramid by adding one pull-up for every set possible. When you can no longer continue, repeat in reverse order until you are back to just one pull-up (Ex. 1,2,3,4,5,6,5,4,3,2,1).

Push-ups: Placing your hands in the wrong position can seriously affect your maximum score. A perfect location for your hands is just outside shoulder width. This position enables the chest, shoulders and triceps to be equally taxed. Keep hands at shoulder height when in the up position. Your push-ups will be weakened if your hands are too low, wide, close or high.

Recommended workout: Try five sets of maximum push-ups in five one-minute periods.

Curl-ups (sit-ups): This is an exercise you need to pace. Most people burn out in the first 30 seconds with 30 curl-ups accomplished, only able to perform another 20 or so curl-ups within the next 1:30. By setting a pace at, for instance, 20 sit-ups every 30 seconds, you can turn your score of 50-60 to 80 with very little effort.

Recommended workout: Try timing yourself with 5 sets of 30 seconds, setting your pace to your goal. A good pace is 20 sit-ups in 30 seconds -- totaling 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes.

Running: For most people, the most challenging event of any PFT is by far the run. Timed runs equals pace. The most important thing is to not start off too fast. Learn your pace and set your goal by pacing yourself to the finish. For instance, if your goal is to run the 2 mile run in 14:00, you must run a 7:00 mile or a 1:45 -- 1/4 mile.

Recommended workout and techniques: The Four-Mile Track Workout has worked for many military and short distance runners for years. The Four Mile Track Workout is broken into ¼-mile sprints and jogs and 1/8-mile sprints and jogs for a total of four miles. The workout goes as follows:

4 Mile-Track Workout
Jog -- 1 mile in 7:00 -- 8:00
Three sets of:
Sprint-1/4 mile
Jog -- 1/4 mile in 1:45
Six sets of:
Sprint-1/8 mile
Jog -- 1/8 mile 1:00

Do this workout without walking to rest. The only rest you will receive is during your slower jogging pace. Try to catch your breath while you jog. Have fun with this one it is tough. At first, you may have to walk in between fast running.


The Drifter
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[bear_grunt]

Quick question. I am an ex Army Paratrooper who is interested in becoming a Marine. Can I wear my jump wings on my uniform after I get out of recruit training? Since I have over 40 documented jumps in the Army, can I qualify to wear the gold Marine Jump wings?

[mardet65]

Originally posted by bear_grunt
Quick question. I am an ex Army Paratrooper who is interested in becoming a Marine. Can I wear my jump wings on my uniform after I get out of recruit training? Since I have over 40 documented jumps in the Army, can I qualify to wear the gold Marine Jump wings?

Bear-grunt:


I'm no expert... and possibly someone else will give you a more definitive answer. But, I believe you can wear your Army jump wings on the Marine Corps uniform (after boot camp of course).
However, my guess is you will have to meet USMC standards inorder to wear the Navy/Marine Corps jump wings. Although, 40 jumps may be enough or more than enough to qualify you.:marine:

[thedrifter]

Working Your Way Up To Better (Or More) Pull-Ups

"I am a female in the Marine Corps and would like to know how I can not only better my flexed arm hang, but be able to perform pull-ups too." I received this request this week from a young Marine seeking to better her PFT scores.

The pull-up is one of the most challenging exercises. If you are 10 to 20 pounds overweight, it can seriously affect your ability to do any pull-ups. But there is good news: I have several clients of both genders and all ages who, with just a few months of training, have gone from not being able to do a single pull-up to doing 10 perfect dead hang pull-ups!

The common denominator between men and women who can do pull-ups is that they practice them regularly. The best way to train to increase the number of pull-ups you can do is simply to do pull-ups until you are exhausted every other day. If you want to get started doing pull-ups or work your way up to doing more, here are some methods to try:

Assisted pull-up. This is a pull-up I learned at Army Airborne School, where they had a lower bar about 4 feet from the ground for soldiers who couldn't do a pull-up. Soldiers sit on the ground, extend their arms to the bar and pull their chin over the bar leaving their feet on the ground. This method reduces the weight being pulled up by 40 to 50 percent. It's tougher than it sounds, but it can be your first step to doing a real pull-up. You can also do this with a pullup / dip bar machine using the dip bars as your assisted pullup bars.

Lat pull-downs. This exercise is basically the same as a pullup except it is done with a machine that you can find in most weight rooms. Simply sit under a hanging bar attached to a stack of weights and pull the bar just below your chin. It is best to choose a weight that is roughly 40 to 50 percent of your body weight. Do as many repetitions as you can for at least three sets.

Negative pull-ups. This is the last step in accomplishing your first pull-up -- or doubling your present maximum. It is also the way to build your endurance for the FLEXED ARM HANG. Hold your self in the flexed arm hang position for 10 seconds, then you must fight gravity and slowly lower yourself down to the count of five seconds.

Biceps curl. Get two dumbbells weighing 10 to 30 pounds. Keeping your elbows stationary and your palms facing away from you, bend your elbows so your hands move from your hips to your shoulders. Repeat for three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.

Bent over rows. This dumbbell routine will help develop your biceps and your upper back muscles required for performing pull-ups. Repeat for three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.

Only do pull-ups a maximum of three times a week -- not every day. Every other day is recommended. This will help you rest your back and arm muscles properly and prevent over-training. If you have any questions email Stew Smith at stew@stewsmith.com.

Stew reminds you to consult your physician before beginning any new exercise or diet program -- especially if you have been inactive for a while or if you have any medical problems.

© 2003 Stew Smith.

Website: www.stewsmith.com.

http://www.military.com/pics/pull-up6.jpg


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[thedrifter]

Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)

http://www.marinemail.com/military_occupational_specialtie.htm


The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

Starting a Fitness Program for Life

If you are a true beginner to exercise or have not exercised in decades, starting a health and fitness program is a daunting task. During your quest for longevity, try not to change too much in your life too quickly. Many people, in their search for health make broad resolutions that require several different life style changes. Quitting smoking, starting an exercise program, and dieting all in the same week can be extremely challenging. Tackling any ONE of the above is challenging enough. If you have any of the above vices or others, you may want to try one step at a time rather than trying "cold turkey - and all at once!" Here is a plan that will get you started on the right track for the long term.


Month 1 – Month 4:


Start exercising and drinking water NOW! You may find that you do not have to alter your diet at all as long as you are burning calories by exercise. By drinking anywhere from two quarts to a gallon of water a day and cutting back on soft drinks, you can lose up to 25-50 pounds this year! The type of exercise you need to start doing is walking, biking, some basic calisthenics, and /or swimming for 20-30 minutes 4-5 times a week.


Month 5 - Month 8:


Now you can pick up the physical fitness training a bit by lifting weights or starting a more rigorous calisthenics program. Exercises like pushups, pull-ups, crunches, and squats mixed with more walking or occasional running can boost your fitness level to new heights. If your fitness program is not working for you at this time, you need to take a look at your diet and what you are consuming daily. If you are not losing weight by walking 4-5 times a week and drinking nearly a gallon of water a day, you need to consume fewer calories. This does not mean starve yourself - it simply means eating foods with fewer calories. More nutrients like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats cooked by methods other than frying would be a good start to changing your diet.


Month 9 – Month 12:


By this time, you should feel great about your physical progress and have more energy than you have had in years. Running, biking and swimming several times a week should be habit by now and feel refreshing and stress relieving after each workout. If you have not quit smoking cigarettes by now or at least tapered off, it is time to start trying a little more aggressively. Usually, however, if you have maintained a fitness program this long, quitting smoking has already occurred. But if you have not quit, now is the time to try either the "cold turkey" method or some type of patch method.

So in summary - start exercising now! Do not change your diet too much but with the addition of water and decrease of sugar calories. Try to taper the smoking when you get into the groove of the exercising regularly - do not try all three at once!

Stew reminds you to consult your physician before beginning any new exercise or diet program -- especially if you have been inactive for a while or if you have any medical problems.

© 2003 Stew Smith.

Email Stew Smith at stew@stewsmith.com.
Visit Stew Smith's Official Website: www.stewsmith.com.

The Drifter
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[thedrifter]

The Forge; The Fire;
THE CRUCIBLE



New boot camp event hallmarks the Corps' plan to transform Marines for the 21st century.
By Sgt. E.C. Tausch, HQMC, Washington

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Five-hundred sixty dirty, tired and hungry men and women stood on wobbly legs around Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island's statue of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima in December. In less than five minutes, each would receive a Marine Corps emblem from their drill instructors and be called "Marine" for the first time. For some, it was the longest five minutes of their lives. As their legs buckled from exhaustion, a few fell into the supportive arms of their fellow recruits -- symbolic of the teamwork they needed to survive the past 54 hours.

A similar scene took place at MCRD San Diego when Marine recruits on both coasts endured the "Crucible" -- an event that Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Charles C. Krulak said will be "the defining moment in a young Marine's life."

"This is the level of difficulty -- the kind of challenge -- they need to be Marines," said Drill Instructor Sgt. Christopher Marano, a Marine infantryman who served in Southwest Asia, Bangladesh, and Somalia. With more than eight years in the Corps, this was Marano's fifth and final cycle as a drill instructor and his first time leading recruits through the most tangible portion of Krulak's plan to transform Marines for the 21st century. "It's definitely tougher than boot camp used to be," Marano said.

With about 40 miles of total movement by foot, and food and sleep deprivation, the Crucible is a final test of the core values of honor, courage, and commitment recruits have learned throughout an enhanced boot camp. It is a test that demands every ounce of physical and mental strength a recruit can muster; a test every one of them must pass to be called "Marines."

Not everyone can be a Marine, said Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Lewis Lee. "If they don't have the honor, courage and commitment to survive the Crucible, then they'll never have it to be a Marine."

For those who do pass, the intense physical and mental exertion is soon overtaken by the adrenaline of teamwork, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment.

Although grueling, the Crucible is designed to build teamwork, esprit de corps, and motivation. It's designed to meld recruits, not break them. But more than anything, the Crucible and the rest of boot camp are designed to create Marines of greater judgment and character who can deal with the rigors of battle, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping operations.

"On the modern battlefield, they must make decisions," said Col. Douglas Hendricks, commanding officer of Parris Island's Recruit Training Regiment. "The role of enlisted men and women has changed. They are now looked upon to take greater responsibility than before. They better make the right decisions when it counts. This training helps them take responsibility for that role."

The Crucible consists of eight major events: a day movement resupply, a casualty evacuation, a combat assault course, a reaction course, an enhanced confidence course, an unknown distance firing course, a night infiltration course, and a night march. The events are designed to emphasize teamwork, self-confidence, and core values. Every event features several "warrior stations," smaller events named after Marine Corps heroes. Each station emphasizes team problem-solving skills and underscores a particular core value -- illustrated by the actions of the hero -- that the Corps wants its recruits to take away.

A colors ceremony follows the return march. Then, drill instructors personally hand out black eagle, globe, and anchor emblems to their recruits. This is when they are called "Marines" for the first time.

A video from the Commandant and a "warrior breakfast" of steak and eggs, wrap up the Crucible event. At breakfast, the new Leathernecks meet former Marines who serve as role models, emphasizing the lifelong commitment to the Corps.

"It's a [butt] kicker," said recruit Don Harbin on day two of the Crucible. At 5-feet-2-inches, Harbin had something to prove when he enlisted. The slender 20-year-old said a lot of people in his hometown of Huntsville, Ala., thought he was too short to make it through boot camp. "I proved them wrong," he said, nursing a blister on his foot. "I should've fallen out already, but I've come too far to quit now."

That kind of attitude is exactly what the Crucible is designed to test, and what today's entry-level training is designed to foster, according to Hendricks.

"What we've got in today's Corps is a range of values," Hendricks said. He thinks this enhanced version of enlisted entry-level training will play a big part in getting every 21st century Marine on the same sheet of values. The Commandant is counting on it.

Under the Commandant's guidance, Marines from Marine Combat Development Command, Quantico, Va., Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Washington, and both recruit depots devised a plan for making Marines for the 21st century. A large portion of that task takes place at the depots through entry level training, focusing on the Crucible and expanding training throughout on the Corps' core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

"The Commandant's intent was pretty specific," said Col. Stephen A. Cheney, Recruit Training Regiment commanding officer at MCRD San Diego. "He wanted us to devise a plan for recruit training that would include a culminating event, one that would increase the individual responsibility of recruits. Another requirement was to give more 'teacher-to-student' time back to the drill instructor."

That is exactly what happened.

"They came to us (drill instructors) and asked if we thought we could carry out the training schedule," Marano said. "The majority of the drill instructors were for it."

Marano said he always tried to pass on some "street-smarts" to his recruits, but a hectic training schedule usually left that advice for the final days of training. "Now, I have the time from the get-go with the core values classes and new schedule. The quality of the graduating Marines will be better because of the extra time."

The final product of those meetings was an extra week at boot camp for male recruits. And for the first time, female enlisted entry level training, already 12 weeks long, now mirrors male training.

Along with these changes comes the institution of full combat training for women recruits, to include hand-to-hand combat and two-on-two team pugil stick training. Women will also get a full dose of Marine Combat Training following boot camp and, in March, they will stand there alongside their male counterparts, according to Lee.

This does not mean the Corps is changing its policy on women in combat, said Maj. Gen. Jack W. Klimp, commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command. "An evacuation or humanitarian mission can turn into a small-intensity conflict in moments, and women Marines are already involved in those types of missions," he said. "We'd do them a disservice as Marine leaders by not training them to be ready."

Senior drill instructor Staff Sgt. Connie Wright said the enhanced training means a lot more to her recruits than surviving in combat. It means surviving everyday life and building confidence in their abilities to deal with life's adversities.

While the average male burns about 1,000 calories a day, women use only about 700, giving them the advantage over food deprivation. But not sleeping is more difficult for some.

"It's hard to focus from the lack of sleep. Physically, we all know we can do it," said recruit Sandra Fonseca, 18, in her final hours of the Crucible. "We're beginning to feel that emblem -- that eagle, globe, and anchor."

The Crucible is a transformation period for drill instructors as well. Just prior to the Crucible, DIs remove their "smokey" hats to become more like squad leaders for each team of 13-15 recruits.

"I think it shows them that we're not just role-playing as drill instructors," Marano said. "They see that we're Marines -- just like they're about to become -- and I think it makes emulating us seem more attainable to them."

At the same time, Marano thinks the final week of boot camp will take some getting used to. "We're not quite sure what our role will be, but I think that'll become more clear after a few cycles."

The Crucible precedes the last week of recruit training. The final week is a period of decompression, when recruits learn to stop acting like recruits and start acting like Marines. "The intent is to put the polish on these young Marines," Cheney said. "In the past, they may have been stressed up until graduation day. Now they will be given a little more responsibility."


continued on link............
http://www.hqmc.usmc.mil/marines.nsf/0/57b7d463c0e64623852564340057df1a?OpenDocument


The Drifter
:marine:

[thedrifter]

Stew Smith: How Do I Do the Combat Swimmer Stroke (CSS)?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive from future and active duty military personnel. Most are looking for the most efficient way to swim with fins in challenging special operations training such as Navy SEALs, EOD/Diver, Army Rangers, Green Berets, USMC RECON, and Air Force PJs and others.

The CSS is a relaxing and super efficient swim stroke that is an updated version of the traditional sidestroke. Actually, the CSS is a mix of sidestroke, freestyle and breaststroke in the following ways:

Freestyle – the top arm pull of the CSS is the same as arm pulls in freestyle.
Freestyle – breathing after the top arm pulls in the CSS is the same as in freestyle.
Breaststroke – the bottom arm pull is the same as the breaststroke arm pull
Sidestroke – the overall look is the same as side stroke in the CSS since you are on your side and kicking using the scissor kick.

Put this mix all together and you have the Combat Swimmer Stroke in this sequence:

Top arm pull, bottom arm pull-breathe, kick- recover arms overhead, glide.

The stroke can be broken down using the following images. A picture is worth a thousand words.

http://www.military.com/pics/swim1.jpg
Kick off the Wall

The Start: In a big squat position against the wall - push off and stay as streamlined as possible as you glide at least 5-10 yards off the wall. Place your hands on top of each other, place your biceps on your ears, and lock out your arms - streamlined positioning like a rocket.

The Glide: With a big double arm pull, add the other 3-5 yards to your glide by pulling with your back, biceps and pushing water with your arms using your triceps.

http://www.military.com/pics/swim2.jpg
The Glide

The Arm Movement: After the arm pull, it is time to breathe - twist and breath then start using the top arm pull as shown. Notice both arms recover together forward, but the top arm pulls from overhead all the way to your hips (similar to freestyle stroke). Then the bottom arm pulls a half stroke (similar to breast stroke) and both arms recover together. Breathe as the top arm completes its pull and the bottom arm begins its pull.

The Kick: Use the scissor kick and time your kicks so your top leg always goes forward (no matter what side you are on). You should kick just after both arms have pulled and are recovering - adding more glide to each stroke.

The object to the CSS without fins is efficiency - you should try to get across a 25m pool in as few strokes as possible. If you are doing more than 10 strokes per length you are working too hard. In fact, the fastest and best swimmers get across a 25m pool in 3-5 strokes.

When you find yourself in water with a lot of distance to cover, the CSS will serve you well especially when you are wearing fins. You will tire less quickly if you learn to perform this stroke properly.

Whether you are a beginning swimmer or an aspiring Special Operator, this stroke can help you efficiently move through the water with or without fins.

Stew reminds you to consult your physician before beginning any new exercise or diet program -- especially if you have been inactive for a while or if you have any medical problems.

© 2003 Stew Smith.

http://www.stewsmith.com/


The Drifter

[thedrifter]

Great Stories....
Great Website........




This page serves two purposes. First, it is a record of my recollections. Because time robs us of our memories and the outlandish tales grow more and more outlandish every year, I want a record of the incredible experience of Marine Corps bootcamp. Second, I hope you will read and enjoy these stories. They are also for you. They are as true as I can remember but my mind was a little warped back then.

http://www.grose.us/bootdir/




The Drifter
:marine:

[thedrifter]

San Diego recruit depot still experimenting with training schedule <br />
<br />
<br />
By Gordon Lubold <br />
Times staff writer <br />
<br />
Some recruit training companies are conducting the Crucible in different ways at the...

[thedrifter]

EDITORIAL: A rite of passage





Earlier this year, officials at the Corps’ recruit depot in San Diego started tinkering with the Crucible.
Rather than awarding recruits their eagle, globe and anchor emblem at the conclusion of the 54-hour final training exam, depot officials opted to delay that award — and the bestowing of the title Marine — until the night before graduation. Instead, recruits received their tan martial-arts belt at the Crucible’s conclusion.

Now San Diego is trying another experiment — instead of the tan belts, some recruits now get a history lecture.

What an anticlimax.

The emblem ceremony reinforced the Crucible as boot camp’s “defining moment” and gave the event a lasting value.

For many, completing the Crucible isn’t just the crowning achievement of boot camp, it’s the signature achievement of their lives. Having overcome fear and doubt, they discover an inner resolve they did not know they had.

How fitting, then, for recruits to be called at that moment, for the very first time, Marines.

Now, however, instead of being a crucial rite of passage, the Crucible will be just another training event. It’s lost its meaning.

It is rare in life that any of us receive instant recognition for our achievements. Even medals awarded for valor often come months, if not years, after the act itself.

Finishing the Crucible was one of those rare times when recognition comes immediately.

For five years, young men have ascended Camp Pendleton’s Grim Reaper trail as weary recruits but descended proudly wearing the eagle, globe and anchor on their collars and the title Marine in their hearts.

It meant something. Now it means less.

That’s not to say the Crucible is above being questioned, critiqued and improved. Indeed, Maj. Gen. Jan Huly, the depot commander, has implemented other changes that intensify the Crucible’s tests. Good for him.

But eliminating the ceremony surrounding its conclusion does not improve the Crucible. It devalues it.

The Crucible’s architects got that part right the first time.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/archivepaper.php?f=0-MARINEPAPER-533865.php


The Drifter
:marine:

[Cheezballz]

We got a history lesson on the Marine who's name is all over Camp Pendleton. The recruit range is named after him. Merritt A. "Red Mike" Edson, we had a 15 minute lesson on Edson's Raiders of WW2. Then we had to Hump all the way down and back to the barracks. We got Trashed (The Dirt) by our Senior Drill Instructor for not sounding off on the way back a couple of days later. The first 4 weeks your in MCRD then 4 weeks in Pendleton then the last 4 weeks back in MCRD

[thedrifter]

Issue Date: December 29, 2003

Military Muscle
Workout intensity: Take a number. In 2004, take fitness goals to the next level

By Janet Frank Atkinson
Special to the Times

Have you heard people refer to their workout by a number?
Someone may have mentioned that they try to work out at a six or nine and max out at a 10.

While it’s best to experience a workout on all levels of exertion in order to make gains, a good workout falls within a six-to-eight intensity level.

At level one, you feel as though you’re making little exertion. A five is a moderate pace, such as walking briskly or climbing a couple sets of stairs. Seven is considered hard, while eight and nine are extremely hard. Exercising at a 10 is going at an all-out pace requiring extreme focus, such as the last 20 seconds of a sprint or the final repetitions on a tough weightlifting set.

The important component to factor in when determining your individual intensity level is simple: “How hard was this for me?” Be honest with yourself. If you could have run at a fast pace for at least two more minutes or lifted that weight a few more times, then maybe your intensity level was about seven.

Individual levels are subjective; a level eight for one person might be a level 10 for someone else.

Your intensity level will change as your endurance increases and your body adapts. Your level 10 might become a level seven as your fitness improves.

So don’t be afraid to kick it up a notch when necessary. It might be just what you need to fulfill those health-and-fitness New Year’s resolutions.

A note for the New Year

One of my favorite movies is “What About Bob?” It’s a comedy about a hypochondriac, played by Bill Murray, who has myriad psychological and social problems and a long list of phobias. Bob realizes that to overcome his problems, he has to take “baby steps.”

Just like Bob, any lifestyle change you make requires baby steps to empty the pantry of unhealthy food, increase the duration of cardiovascular exercise and boost your max bench press or water intake.

Setting small goals and taking baby steps is one way to achieve your ultimate fitness goals.

Just telling yourself you’re going to lose weight or eat well isn’t going to cut it. You need to create a plan, set a date and stick with it.

Embrace a healthy lifestyle in the New Year by making sure you work out at least three days a week. If you’re a fitness guru, add 15 minutes to your regimen or a day to your workout routine.

Eat healthy. Cut back on your consumption of processed foods or eliminate them from your diet.

I challenge you to strive to make small gains and celebrate little victories in 2004.

Janet Frank Atkinson is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh who specializes in health-and-fitness issues. She has a bachelor's degree in corporate communications from Robert Morris University. Contact her at janet@jfatkinson.com

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=0-MARINEPAPER-2490143.php

The Drifter
:marine:

[thedrifter]

Tips for Better Pullups

Of all the exercises, the one with the largest mind game attached to it is the PULLUP. One thing I have learned is that women AND men CANNOT do pull-ups IF they do not PRACTICE pull-ups. On the flip side, the common denominator among those men AND women who can do dead-hang pull-ups, are those who practice pull-ups.

Personally, one of the worst things we ever developed in physical fitness classes were the "girl pullup" or flexed arm hang. At an early age, we have been telling young girls, that they cannot do regular pull-ups because they will never be as strong as boys. Well, part of that statement is true -- the strongest woman will NEVER be stronger than the strongest man -- but I have seen 40-50 year old mothers of three do 10 pullups. How is that? They practice pull-ups as well as the auxiliary exercises that work the muscles of the back, biceps, and forearms - the PULLUP muscles! Anybody can do pull-ups, but it helps to not be 40-50 lbs. overweight and to follow a program that places pull-ups and the following exercises in your workouts at least 3 times a week.

The Proper Pull-up (regular grip) - Grab the pull-up bar with your hands placed about shoulder width apart and your palms facing away from you. Pull yourself upward until your chin is over the bar and complete the exercise by slowly moving to the hanging position.

Pull-ups (negatives) - If you cannot do any pull-ups, you should try "negatives". Negatives are half pull-ups. All you have to do is get your chin over the bar by standing on something or having spotter push you over the bar. Then, you slowly lower yourself all the way down - let your arms hang grasping the bar fully stretched. Keep your feet up and fight gravity for a count of 5 seconds. This will get your arms used to supporting your weight.

Assisted Pull-ups - This is the first step to being able to perform pullups. Using the bar that is 3-4 feet off the ground, sit under it and grab with the regular grip. Straighten your back, hips, and slightly bend your knees while your feet remain on the floor and pull yourself to the bar so that your chest touches the bar. Repeat as required. This is a great way to start out if you cannot do any pull-ups at all. You can also do this on a pair of parallel bars that are used for dips. These are also great to do after you can no longer perform anymore dead-hang pullups. This is a good replacement for the Lat Pulldown machine as well.

Pulldowns -Using a pulldown machine, grab the bar, sit down and pull the bar to your collar bones. Keep the bar in front of you. Behind the neck pulldowns are potentially dangerous to your neck and shoulders.

Dumbell rows - Bend over and support your lower back by placing your hand and knee on the bench as shown. Pull the dumbbell to your chest area as if you were starting a lawn mower. Muscles worked: Back, forearm grip, Bicep muscles

Biceps Curls - Place dumbbells or bar in hands with your palms facing upward. Use a complete range of motion to take the weight from your shoulders to your hips by bending and straightening the elbows. Keep it smooth. Do not swing the weights.

You can build up your strength and within a few months of this workout, you will have your first pullup in years - maybe ever! If weight loss is needed, naturally find a plan that incorporates cardio vascular exercise, diet and nutrition tips and weights and calisthenics if your next goal is to do a pullup one day! Good luck and always remember to consult with your doctor before starting any fitness program.

www.stewsmith.com.

The Drifter's Wife

[thedrifter]

Resting with Crunches?

This week an email prompted me to write about one of my favorite and most frequently done exercises in my workouts - the CRUNCH! The question asked was concerning when in your workouts do I like to do abs - in the beginning, after cardio, or in the middle? I have found that I do two types of abs that work very well for me as well as many of the people I train -- I REST WITH CRUNCHES and WARM UP WITH CRUNCHES!

Many will say that crunches are in no way a resting exercise, but I disagree. If you think of the position you are in during a crunch, it really is just a little tougher than sleeping! Simply lift your head and shoulder blades off the floor and lie back on the floor, and you have completed a crunch.

I do the following exercises in between sets of pull-ups or bench presses as my rest exercise, AND I also get the body warmed up in my early morning workouts with a cycle of the following crunches:

Regular Crunches - 25
Reverse Crunches - 25
Double Crunches - 25
Left Crunches - 25
Right Crunches - 25

Stretch and complete one minute of lower back exercises as pictured below and you have warmed up or rest in between big sets of pull-ups, intervals of running, or just about any other exercise you can think of…Give it a try! It works great!


Advanced Crunch - (Legs up) - Lie on your back with your feet straight in the air. Keep your legs straight up in the air for the advanced crunches. Cross your hands over your chest and bring your elbows to your knees by flexing your stomach (do not do if you have had a previous lower back injury - place feet on the floor).

Reverse Crunch - In the same position as the regular crunch, lift your knees and butt toward your elbows. Leave your head and upper body flat on the ground. Only move your legs and butt (do not do this exercise if you have had a previous lower back injury).

Double Crunch - Add the regular and reverse crunch together in one motion…You will feel this one twice as fast…

Right Elbow to Left Knee - Cross your left leg over your right leg. Flex your stomach and twist to bring your right elbow to your left knee.

Left Elbow to Right Knee - Same as above just switch sides. Cross your right leg over your leg. Flex your stomach and twist to bring your left elbow to your right knee.

*Note - Any time you work your abs, you should also exercise your lower back to build balance in your torso.

Lower Back Exercise - Lie on your stomach with your arms extended over your head. Lift your right arm and your left leg off the ground at the same time and repeat for specified number of repetitions. Switch arms/legs and repeat.

Lower Back Exercise - Swimmers - Lie on your stomach and lift your feet and knees off the floor by flutter kicking repeatedly as if you were swimming freestyle.

You can contact me at stew@stewsmith.com.


The Drifter's Wife

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Bumping Up for the new poolees


MOS Roadmaps

http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/g3/roadmap.htm


The Drifter's Wife


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Training Command
Officer Candidates School

http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/

http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg445f/ocs/

The Drifter's Wife

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Stew Smith: Pyramid PT

This week, I received a fairly basic question about PT Pyramids. I realized what some groups consider standard knowledge, others, especially young, future military members, may not know or understand. The PT Pyramid is a great way to build a foundation of fitness needed to ace any physical fitness test. The Pyramid program has a warmup, max out, and a cool down built into it, making it a very healthy way to exercise.

The pyramid described in this article is for pull-ups, pushups and situp workouts and can be done ANYWHERE. In fact, I do this workout at my local elementary school playground on monkey bars. This workout is a staple program in many of the eBooks and can be utilized with a variety of exercises from squats, lunges, any abdominal exercise, dips, and even running. As you advance you can increase the steps up to as high as you wish. At SEAL training, we did a pullup pyramid up to 15 and back down to one. That equals 225 pullups.

How the Pyramid Works

If you take a look at one of the pyramids, you will notice that it is numbered on both sides. It goes from 1-5 on one side, with the number 6 on the top, and then 5-1 on the other side. Each number represents a step in the pyramid. Your goal is to climb the pyramid all the way up, and all the way back down. So you can consider each step a "set" of your workout.

At the bottom, you will find "pullups x 1, pushups x 2, situps x 3". What this means is that at each "set" or step of the pyramid, you perform 1 pullup for every step you are on, 2 pushups for each step, and 3 situps for each step.

You start at the bottom of the pyramid, at number one. For each set, you multiply each set number by 1 and that tells you how many pullups to do. You multiply it by 2 to get your pushups, and multiply by 3 for situps. You keep progressing until you get to the top of the pyramid, or your maximum effort at muscle failure. At step six you perform 6 pullups/ 12 pushups/18 situps. Now, you start working your way back down the other side and continue on step 5 on the way back down. So, you'll do 5 pullups/10 pushups/15 situps. Keep going until you work all the way back down to one. Listed below is a number summary of the pyramid:

Go up the pyramid:
(or half pyramid workout)

Set/Step 1: 1 pullups/2 pushups/3 situps
Set/Step 2: 2 pullups/4 pushups/6 situps
Set/Step 3: 3 pullups/6 pushups/9 situps (Your first few set are basically a warmup)
Set/Step 4: 4 pullups/8 pushups/12 situps
Set/Step 5: 5 pullups/10 pushups/15 situps
Set/Step 6: 6 pullups/12 pushups/18 situps (Here is where you may fail/max out)


Go down the pyramid:
(or reverse order pyramid)

Set/Step 5: 5 pullups/10 pushups/15 situps
Set/Step 4: 4 pullups/8 pushups/12 situps
Set/Step 3: 3 pullups/6 pushups/9 situps (Finish cool down)
Set/Step 2: 2 pullups/4 pushups/6 situps
Set/Step 1: 1 pullups/2 pushups/3 situps


Other creative ideas:

ADD: Dips to the exercises for additional triceps/shoulder burn. I usually do the same number of dips as I do pushups.

ADD: Run 100 yd. or even ¼ mile sprints to add a challenging cardio component. These will challenge you tremendously, and you will lose your energy quickly so bring Gatorade for blood sugar/electrolyte replacement and water to drink.

Email Stew Smith at stew@stewsmith.com. Visit Stew Smith's Official Website: www.stewsmith.com.


The Drifter's Wife

Ellie

http://www.military.com/pics/Smith_072304.jpg

[thedrifter]

Bumping for the Poolees


The Drifter's Wife

Ellie

[drillinstructor]

Tan Belt Qual is after the Crucible and the Eagle Globe and Anchor is given on Visitor Thursday in front of the families.......kill kill kill em all

[thedrifter]

Military Planning to Fingerprint Recruits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By VICKI SMITH
Associated Press Writer

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- The Pentagon is developing a fingerprinting system to prevent recruits from sending "ringers" to take the military aptitude test and the physical exam for them.

"The person who talks to the recruiter has to be the same person who takes the test, has to be the same person who takes the medical exam, has to be the same person who reports to basic training," said John D. Woodward Jr., director of the Defense Department's Biometrics Management Office in Washington.

Woodward said the U.S. military cannot say how many people try to cheat on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, "but there certainly is anecdotal evidence of individuals sending in a ringer."

The Pentagon has enlisted the Biometrics Fusion Center in Clarksburg to help develop the fingerprinting procedure. The details have yet to be worked out, but an electronic fingerprint reader would be used to identify those who show up for testing.

A pilot program will begin later this year at military processing stations in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Honolulu and San Juan, Puerto Rico, along with 21 mobile testing sites. Eventually, it could go nationwide.

The ASVAB, a multiple choice-style test, measures mathematical and general science knowledge, mechanical comprehension, and information about automobiles, tools, electricity and electronics. It helps gauge how a recruit might fare and which jobs might suit him or her.

Soldiers are fingerprinted now, along with civil servants and private contractors with security clearances. The pilot project would simply apply that requirement earlier in the process, to recruits, Woodward said.

With the $2 million pilot project, the military also aims to eliminate time-consuming paperwork and create a universal e-signature system.

About 240,000 men and women enter the U.S. military each year. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Greg Palmer, a recruiter in Wheeling for three years, said he is confident the fingerprinting will not slow things down at all.

"There's a gazillion safety checks all along the way anyway," he said, "so what's one more?"

The Drifter's Wife

Ellie