Head to MCRD in 2 weeks...

[TAK]

You can't use your own running shoes, don't bother.

Just go and enjoy the experience. It sucks but it is not hard you will think it's hard when it's happening then looking back you'll realize it was pretty easy. Just don't **** over your other recruits, remember it's only 3 months a deployment is 7, and if you need a day off tell them your knee hurts and go to medical.

[epilepticninja]

I'll be seeing you at Edson Range. You just won't know its me. Good luck.

[Vita Brevis]

As stated before, learn your General Orders and practice sitting Indian Style.

When a D.I. starts counting down from 30, you've only got about 5 seconds in real time.

If you want to start practicing for training now, take a baseball cap in your right hand and begin smacking yourself in the forehead with the brim, while simultaneously spraying yourself in the face with a squirt bottle using your left hand.

[mikenewgun87]

Dude dont worry about anything...todays military members have it 80% easier then veterans who came in 10yrs ago...its a breeze just have fun. Oh tell your DIs you love sugar cookies

[0150r]

You have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth. Listen and look more than you talk.

[Gutz]

You have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth. Listen and look more than you talk.

THIS.

Just give it your best. Bootcamp is designed to make you stronger, physically and mentally, so don't have half *** anything and do not try to get cookies and stuff sent to you in the mail. Don't take anything when you go, they give you running shoes, a haircut, etc. Just make sure you drink plenty of water a few weeks before you go. Need to be hydrated.




I was there in 06.

[Comcam]

EARS...OPEN EYEBALLS....CLICK SIR!

Have fun man!

[64physhy]

Stay hydrated.
Don't draw attention to yourself (except for the next point)
If you are smart and have good handwriting, try to be a scribe. They get some benefits that even the guide and squad leaders don't get, and a chance of meritorious promotion. Downside is they sometimes have to miss some events to do their duties.
Don't get sucked into the "recruit underground."
If you are LEGITIMATELY sick or injured, go to medical. If you get it taken care of in the early stages, it won't progress into something so serious that you get dropped, but don't be a "sick bay commando"
Do what you're told the way you're told to do it, and do it faster than humanly possible.
If questioned by an officer, don't try to guess times (like how long you were IT'd) what seems like hours is really only a few minutes. Don't betray your Drill Instructors, they put in more hours than you can imagine to make Marines, and most of them have families that they don't get to see.
Realize that recruit training is only temporary. Don't think that it what your whole enlistment will be like. 3 months of hard work is a small price to pay for something you'll have for the rest of your life; the title of "Marine."
Don't take your own running shoes; they issue some pretty good New Balance shoes now.
Remember that every Marine you encounter while you were there went through the same thing, including your D.I.s, and being a recruit is about 100 times easier than being a D.I. Trust me on this one.

[Linh]

Last time I was there in 98 or so they were issued pink running shoes. I was only there for a field trip.

[64physhy]

Dude dont worry about anything...todays military members have it 80% easier then veterans who came in 10yrs ago...its a breeze just have fun.

Not necessarily true. It goes in cycles. Hard for a few years, then gets soft for a while, then toughens back up. I was a recruit in '90, and think it was just as hard in '99 and '04-07 when I was a D.I. It was different, but not necessarily easier. Some aspects were harder, some easier.

Edit: just noticed you generalized "military." USMC is the only service that's not DOD sanctioned recruit training, so a little different from the other branches.

[64physhy]

THIS.

I was there in 06.

What company?

[CQBMarine]

Recruit training...?
It has changed so much over the past 10 years that most of us probably cant give you too much advice.
It is going to be easy. Disappointingly easy.

Fact!! It's so easy a caveman can do it now! Believe me I have first hand knowledge. Keep your head up and push forward. Don't botch and moan about little stuff, it's only going to get worse for the rest of the time on. Live chow to chow, day to day and especially Sunday to Sunday. You'll understand that fast. You'll learn a lot just pay attention and learn everything that you can while you're there. Especially when it comes to the rifle range and most importantly Table 2 Combat Marksmanship. It will save your life and the buddy next to you in combat!

[p7m8jg]

Persistence , that's what will get you through, just like it did my son. He made it, you can too

Good luck and God bless. You can do this.

Keep trying, no matter what. You'll make it.

[CQBMarine]

What company?

As was I. Golf Company. But I do have to say its a lot easier. I've seen it full cycle.

[troysland]

Delta Company, '97. Stay motivated, don't sweat the small stuff! Crucible sucked! Feet hurt like hell! Keep your mouth shut and do as you're ordered. Marines made me the better Man I am today!