Did you have any doubts about joining the Marines?

[davblay]

Boot Camp is not a place, it's not an event, it's not a sleep over! Boot Camp is an experience that you will never forget----for the rest of your life! Yea it is hard, it's hard on everyone, but when you look back on those days you remember it with -------- well------ reverence, I guess would be a good word, You see no matter how much we talk about it, no one understands until they go through it themselves! Those were the best, and some of the worse, days of my life! But I wouldn't change a thing!

I was 17 when I enlisted and I have never looked back, no regrets!

BTW--- this is my 1,085th post--- ironic since my platoon number in Boot Camp was 1085!

[Haffner]

As wierd as it sounds, you'll hear about the same exact thing all the time. That's the jist of what I always say. Now, these Marines I talk to that juts got out of boot about a month or a few ago, they're always like, "Haha, oh man that was so easy and gay it wasn't fun at all."

I look at it as the most fun thing I'd never want to do again.

[sparkie]

Graduating was fun... thats about it. All the rest was,shall we say, challenging.

[Namvet67]

Was not fun or one of the best times in my life! It was serious business and we were constantly reminded that what we learned there could save our life once we got into combat. We were also reminded daily that most if not all of us would end up in RVN and at least half of us would not come back. Those that paid attention and did exactly what the drill instructor's told them to do would have the best chance of making it back from Nam. It was their intention (drill instructors) to make life in boot camp as tough as humanly possible so once they got in combat and the going got tough they could always fall back on the training and kinda go on "automatic". When i was in Nam i had to think back many times and it did help me get through it. Fun? Nope...no way no how and yes i did hate it while i was in boot camp! Had a little fun in the next stage (ITR)! All the mental abuse was over and i was a Marine! Semper Fi

[sparkie]

Yea, ITR. Remember the first time you shouldered a LAW, or popped off a M79? Now that was fun. 180 degrees from boot.

[DWG]

Was not fun or one of the best times in my life! It was serious business and we were constantly reminded that what we learned there could save our life once we got into combat. We were also reminded daily that most if not all of us would end up in RVN and at least half of us would not come back. Those that paid attention and did exactly what the drill instructor's told them to do would have the best chance of making it back from Nam. It was their intention (drill instructors) to make life in boot camp as tough as humanly possible so once they got in combat and the going got tough they could always fall back on the training and kinda go on "automatic". When i was in Nam i had to think back many times and it did help me get through it. Fun? Nope...no way no how and yes i did hate it while i was in boot camp! Had a little fun in the next stage (ITR)! All the mental abuse was over and i was a Marine! Semper Fi

That absolutely hits the nail on the head!!!

My recollection exactly!

[jetdoc]

To me it was the best of times and the worst of times.

I do not regret it, and its made me what I am today. To be honest with you I think I like it now more than when I was in. I have found as I've gotten a few years under my belt that I tend to forget some of the bad things and only remember the good.

Now if my wife would only do that...lol.

[Marine84]

Now if my wife would only do that...lol.

God used a different schematic when He made us - we're wired different than you guys. And we especially never forget about it if you're prone to still doing what it is that we don't like.

[MOUNTAINWILLIAM]

No second thoughts at all. I just followed in the footsteps of a number of my relatives (a couple of whom remain 19 and 20 and a few others who left parts in forgotten places)

Semper Fi

[jetdoc]

God used a different schematic when He made us - we're wired different than you guys. And we especially never forget about it if you're prone to still doing what it is that we don't like.

You're telling me, after 27 years of being married her memory is amazing, except for where she lost my truck key, or where she put my newest Biker magazine or........

[Marine84]

You're telling me, after 27 years of being married her memory is amazing, except for where she lost my truck key, or where she put my newest Biker magazine or........

Hell yeah!

[Marines4life222]

Were you all nervous before you got to bootcamp?

[sparkie]

Don't worry about your nerves. It will melt into fear as soon as you get there. Absolute, no going back, now I am going to die, fear.....;}

[DWG]

Were you all nervous before you got to bootcamp?

Thought about bailing off the bus in Savannah;
Wished I had when I got to receiving!

Glad I didn't when I crossed the grinder for the last time!

It's all in your head! There is no try; just DO! (Yoda)

[killerinstinct]

first night in recieving having DI's yell and not knowing wtf to respond with so i think everyone just yelled something mumbled till you realized wtf you were supposed to say..

I was thinking WTF am I doing here. then mess duty makes you do that too.

and many working parties that are put together.