Just Graduated, I'll share my experiences...

[jpg8402]

Well, first off... bootcamp is not as hard as they like to make it seem... and I know that wasn't always the case. But these days, with the type of society we live in... the biggest thing to remember is its all about the mental. The PFTs and CFTs aren't exactly fun, but they can be done and for a lot of people they can be done with ease. So don't worry about the physical aspect. In 3 months you'll have enough time to improve on that. Just stay positive and motivated and you'll do just fine. Two main things to remember is to sound off and move with intensity... even if your not sure what your saying or doing. Screw up with confidence is what our D.I.s would tell us. IT(incentive training) can suck, but it'll only makes you better in the long run. The sooner your platoon starts working together the better off you'll be. Especially during the Crucible. MREs are actually pretty good, especially if you get one with Skittles or M&Ms... if your D.I.s let you keep them in their after field stripping them lol.

The pizza has arrived so I'm losing concentration haha, but if you have any questions feel free to ask.

[AWDPirate]

congrats Marine, the easy part's over!

[Gunner614]

I guess I'll go with the standard, what part of boot camp challenged you the most?
And what aspect of boot camp did you dislike the most?

[WKranz]

MRE's are new and exciting to you still. They'll get old real quick.

[TRosa06]

MRE's are new and exciting to you still. They'll get old real quick.

Definately, wait until after MCT. You will never want to see another MRE in your life.

Congratulations Marine, feels good doesn't it? Also, get that profile changed, your not a poolee anymore.

[jpg8402]

I guess I'll go with the standard, what part of boot camp challenged you the most?
And what aspect of boot camp did you dislike the most?

I'd say, as far as one particular single event... the reaper hike. Now I'm not saying that because the crucible/reaper is supposed to be the hardest thing we do. I thought most of the crucible easier then I had thought it was going to be, except for Basilone's mission lol. I had PNA while on the crucible and I struggled to get up the reaper... I won't lie like some in my platoon, saying they helped pulled other recruits up it... It kicked my butt, but I made it up and caught up with my platoon in time to go over the last hill with my platoon. You stop and your SDI gets everyone together, then you give'er hell and sprint up that last hill.

What I didn't like was always feeling hungry. They feed you and as you progress you'll see you can eat quite enough... its just that your so much more active through out boot. The food is suprisingly good in bootcamp. Up north at Camp Pendleton its really good, better then MCRD, but they give you less... so basically get used to being hungry haha.

[jpg8402]

Well, anything you eat would get old if you ate it as much as you eat MREs when in the field.



I'm just meaning they aren't disgusting, and most of them taste pretty good.

[jinelson]

Congratulations Marine!

Jim

[jpg8402]

Thank you all!

[rufio14]

Congrats Marine! Who did you graduate with? Yes the MRE's get really old in MCT, hell I got sick of them in boot lol.

P.S. How do I get my staus changed to Marine?? I want that nice little "mosquito wing", you know one stripe up action going on

[Lisa 23]

Congrats Marine! Who did you graduate with? Yes the MRE's get really old in MCT, hell I got sick of them in boot lol.

P.S. How do I get my staus changed to Marine?? I want that nice little "mosquito wing", you know one stripe up action going on

PM a Mod and ask them to change your status to Marine!!!

[atimmons]

I gotta know. You said the Reaper was the worst. I've been searching for info on it but I'm finding anywhere from 700 yards up to 8 miles. How long is the Reaper and do you start it when you wake up or after you finish the Crucible?

[Outback206]

I can't wait to eat me some "Charms"!

[firedog974]

Congrats Marine, and welcome to the family. Now the fun begins!!

[Hanzo]

I gotta know. You said the Reaper was the worst. I've been searching for info on it but I'm finding anywhere from 700 yards up to 8 miles. How long is the Reaper and do you start it when you wake up or after you finish the Crucible?

Its both.

The Reaper hump is the last day of the Crucible. The hump itself is about 8 miles but the Reaper itself isn't the whole thing (700 yards sounds about right). You'll leave your camp (Area 505 if memory serves) early in the morning and hump out about halfway till you reach the base of the Reaper. Then its up and over and back for the Warrior's Breakfast. At least thats the way we did it. The hump is no fun, but humping is mental, once you learn how to deal with it mentally, it gets 10 times easier.