Boot Camp

If you're reading this, then you're probably going to be shipping out to boot camp soon. I've spent the last 3 1/2 years in the United States Marine Corps as an Infantry Rifleman, so I have a bit of experience in the subject. Obviously boot camp is meant to break you down, phsyically and mentally, and then build you back up into a Marine. It may or may not sound challenging, and for some it won't be.

My first suggestion for you is to enter into the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). This is a program that every recruiting station should have. Basically, each week until your ship out date, you will attend a "pool function". This event varies across the country, but mine helped me prepare for basic training. Each time we would go there, the recruiters would thrash us for at least 45 minutes. No, it doesn't sound like much. But if you're there for at least a year, you'll know EXACTLY what to expect when you go to boot camp, and your experience will be that much easier.

You're going to face many challenges in boot camp. I know for myself, just being away from home was probably the hardest part. I've never been away from my family for more than a week, and suddenly I find myself stuck in a Marine Corps base for 3 months. It's not easy! You will have an opportunity each night to write letters home, though. Keeping a steady flow of letters out is important to your loved ones who are not experiencing what you are, but you must inform them to do the same. Nearly every night, the Drill Instructors will pass out mail. It's the best feeling receiving a letter from home, and it makes it that much easier to get through these challenging 3 months. I know I wrote a letter every single night I could, and my family did the same. I also got a few pictures in the mail, which was a pleasant surprise.

The physical part of boot camp is tough. No matter what you do in boot camp, it's never good enough for the Drill Instructors. You will be thrashed every single day, even if you do everything correctly. They will find things wrong. No matter what your physical shape, you just have to be mentally strong to get through it. I was about 6'0" and 140lbs when I went into boot camp, and I didn't have a problem. Like I said though, a lot of this comes with the benefits of the DEP. Right before I shipped out, I started running a few miles each day with a little bit of weight, and did a ton of pushups. I'd suggest extending your workouts to include weight lifting, pack running, hiking, pull-ups, and basically ANY physical activity you can think of. Don't start late though. Try implementing a plan at least 6 months before you enter basic training.

While the physical portion of boot camp is a challenge to anybody, the mental part is the single hardest part. Boot camp is a constant mind game, and it's often frustrating. They try to teach you to keep your bearing, and not lose your "cool" under extremely stressful situations. A lot of guys were dropped from boot camp because they literally had mental breakdowns. Suicides are not uncommon, and one man jumped off the top floor of his barracks, broke his neck and died. It's tragic, and you must prepare yourself. You need to stay focused on everything you are doing. Don't stress yourself out over little things. If you screw up, you will pay for it physically. Once it's done, move on. Don't suck up to the Drill Instructors, they'll just make it harder for you. Keep your mind clear, and try not to think about things that are happening back home. If your mind wanders a lot, you'll be in for an even tougher time.

Boot camp is not as hard as it's advertised to be. Stay focused, get fit before you go to boot camp, and look forward to your next 3 1/2 years. You will be seeing some amazing places, and it would be heartbreaking to make it to boot camp, only to fail.