Head to MCRD in 2 weeks...

[The Soup Nazi]

Just understand that there's an inverse relation between frequency of slayings and your ability to accomplish anything quickly.

On the other hand, understand that you will get slayed and just accept it. If you aren't a contract PFC, realize that 3 months could determine whether or not you catch the NCO promotion wave at the right time. Maybe that'll motivate you to not tap out when you're given a billet (guide/squad leader/scribe).

I live on Edson Range and eat 2/3 of my meals there, I'll probably see you at some point in a month and a half if you don't cycle out.

[Punisher]

1. Eat your vegetables first. You don't always have time to finish chow, if you get sick, you'll get dropped and have to stay in boot camp longer. If you're only eating mashed potatoes and jello, don't be surprised you're sick.

2. Wisdom teeth - If your wisdom teeth need to come out, ask the dental officer if they'll allow you to get it done when you check into your unit. You will get zero sympathy for your surgery and be doing pushups and PT with a horribly sore mouth.

3. Don't touch your eyes with your fingers, only use q-tips. A shocking amount of pink eye goes around.

4. Mark all of your gear. Sometimes multiple foot lockers get dumped in the squad bay; you'll want to be able to locate your gear.

5. Remember this is NOT the fleet Marine Corps.

6. Have fun. Those DI's say some ridiculously funny sh*t. And since you can't laugh, it's even funnier. Of course then they lose their mind and thrash you and it's not funny anymore.

[jarhead714]

Like Punisher said, have fun. Snap!! Pop!! Man, wait 'till hygene inspection with the flashlights.

[epwegmann]

I would highly recommend being an individual and questioning every order given. It'll help you stand out and really show your DI's that you are capable of a higher thought process and critcal thinking than the rest! Heck, might even get you E3 right outta boot! How hot is that?!










If you follow any of that, god help your soul.....

[64physhy]

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!

The crucible has been completely bastardized. It's nothing like it was when it first came out. I remember when they first started the Crucible, we all thought the "Crucible Marines" had it easy, then I went down as a D.I. and found out the Crucible was no joke; 56 miles of humps and about 6 hours of sleep in 3 days on 1-1/2 MRE's, plus all the obstacles. When I went back again in '04, most of the obstacles were no longer being used, the hike mileage had gone down a lot, and they got more sleep and food (3 MRE's for the 3 days).

[fawndog]

Lima Co,
Sure it's changed, new religious services, new food. But the corpsmen are still dicks so don't clench. And "nothing is as bad as yesterday" even if it is, even if you rotate to PorkChopPlatoon you're one day closer.

[jarhead714]

When I finished the Crucible in '96, my entire right foot was one giant blister. It's the only time in boot camp when you are forced to hump with soaking wet feet and the results are palpable when you're done. The silly obstacles were indeed frustrating! We started at 2 in the morning with ( i kid you not) 100 pound packs and cement filled ammo cans humpin' 3 miles or so to the staging area. Physically, that first few hours was the hardest and then you're so amped up about getting your EGA that the rest is gravy. It was all fairly easy with the exception of mess (team) week. Long hours, little sleep, steady work.

My philosophy towards volunteering when the DI says "I need (so many) bodies" was different. I raised my hand every time I could and yes, got stuck with some sorry *** details, but eventually they stopped picking me when I raised my hand and just started assigning me to various duties, many of which were cake and allowed me some skate time

Good duties include watching other houses while entire platoons are at swim, rifle quals etc., early or late chow, shadow for a sick call recruit, and other milk runs that get you away from things, if only for a little while.

[socalsrt]

Sounds like there is already some great advice on here. I will reiterate keep your ears open and mouth shut. While on that subject keep your digits out of your eyes and mouth. I swear there are all kinds of viruses that feed solely on recruits just to make life fun. Good advice on dental as well. The most important thing to remember is that this is not the fleet Marine Corps. Once you get out of there it will be up to you to make the right choice and do what is right. Also remember that your time in the Marines is all about what you make of it. Don't screw off get into trouble and be a pile of crap. If you get into an MOS you don't like, find a new one. If you are thinking of going into MARSOC do it as early in your career as you can.

[Subotai]

Makes me wonder how boot camp in '77 compares to all of y'alls experiences.

[GMG]

It's been over 25 years for me and it was at the San Diego Navy RTC... But not much has changed.

It's been 51 years for me.

[BoJackUSMC]

Stand out all the time... always move around in formation.. ask questions..
Ask first before you do anything.. keep your voice low at all time..take your time when you get dress...

You should be GTG now...

[64physhy]

Oh, and no matter how much something they have you doing doesn't make sense at the time, there is a purpose to it, and you'll eventually get what the purpose was, even if its 3 years later.

[dammitmanny]

just remember why you're going. that's all you need to make it thru.

[CQBMarine]

So this is a question for all you old timers, when you went through and came up to Edson Range, did you ever throw Live Grenades? If so, what year was that? I was up there today and found some old Live Grenade bunkers. We didn't throw them in 06' and some of the guys I work with didn't throw them in the early 90's.
Sorry for the little high jack.

[Darklyte27]

Move fast, no excuses. Give it your best effort and sound off. Its going to suck no matter what, just deal with it dont drop out.
3 months will seem forever but when graduation comes you will never feel so proud ever except having a baby or something.
I went in 2001, signed up before 9/11.

When Drill instructors say freeze, freeze! stop moving!! even if your damn pants are at your ankles!! if 1 does, you will all pay and you all will pay. Drill Instructor says ZEROOO!! we respond with
"freeze or die" Drill instructor says Eye balls, we said click sir and when he said Ears we say open sir. I went in Oct 22nd to Jan 18 01. We were in Camp Pendleton in Dec. Freezing our asses off by the beach in our skivvies *underwear*. Some dumb *** had to keep moving and putting his pants on after the Drill Instructor was done counting down so we had to strip down to underwear 5 times and start all over.

try to beat my range score of 231 on qual day! I shot a 236 on prequal.
I think our company top score was 239, the range high was 248 i think. Max pts was 250

Good luck!