Preparing for Marine Corps Bootcamp: A Guide From a Marine’s Perspective

If you talk to a United States Marine, they’ll likely tell you that Marine Corps Boot Camp is more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge. These are my tips to get yourself into the right mindset for this first step in your military career.

[Tyler-zmnu]

90% mental, 10% physical. Start practicing the zero excuse mentality as an applicant & Poolee. Last but not least, NEVER self doubt yourself. Remind yourself you're there to EARN the title of Marine. And it'll be your reality

[ThomasMurphy-vbhf]

I leave in 18 days for parris island. I’m very excited and also very nervous

[hockey]

Something I got from a friend: Get used to not scratching itches.

[michaelcassady]

Move when you're told. Where you're told. With speed.

[hardcase]

I’m 27 and being given a second chance. Made mistakes in life. My thinking has changed but it’s tempting to finish this

[Dudley-qj]

Here is something my father who was a DI at PI back in the 50's, keep your mouth shut, do as you are told as quickly as possible, try to avoid the DI learning your name, avoid the edge of the formation when falling in, as these are the recruits that "get attention" of the DI. One more thing I learned at PI from our series Gunnery Sargent, "the world teaches you big mac eating lazy ass fat bodies you cannot do things because they are hard, the Marine Corp is here to teach you that you can do anything." I use the things I learned from my time in the Marines over 40 years ago every day.

[jordancody]

Honestly brother Boot camp is not the same when I was in. I went to boot camp in 2004 and seeing how they do things now blows my mind. To me it's softer now. My DIs physically roughed us up and I mean literally roughed us up bad. They turned us into Marines very quickly

[FrankHorigan]

Thank you for the advice you have I appreciate it.It’s a lot different than the other content I see that former and current marines create for preparing for boot camp it’s always physical that they focus on and maxing out your pt score which is important don’t get me wrong but some people should focus on both aspects for preparation.

[snekDesigner]

I went to parris island because of a camp, Had no idea what would happen. I now want to make my way as a marine and prepare myself. They have put us in the same "boots" as a marine recruit in boot camp. It was tough mostly mentaly. It was hard to think. I just did as they said. Also they said we did better marching in one day then the recruits do in 3 weeks

[cavemanlook]

I don't have a clue how it is today. That said in 83 for a 17 year old it was a different world. Got my title at 17.

[JameGoFast]

My thing with marching is that the people don’t yell the commands in words lmao like “left or right” or all the other commands they say like half or mumble the word and say a random ass thing so it’s hard to understand what they are saying

[Groose]

Im trying to get back in the marines, cause I made a mistake... self-doubt and backing out. My mindset has completely changed and now I realized how bad I want to be a marine so bad, hopefully I can get back in.

[rblfrmthewstdwn]

Tip 1: Leave all logic behind…you will be yelled at and chewed out for anything and everything good or bad…so don’t question it just say “Aye Sir” and gtfo.

Tip:2 Assimilation with your platoon is paramount. Don’t be the guy everyone turns their ire towards…be a wallflower and just be cool with your comrades. Don’t get everyone in trouble for your mistakes as much as possible….inevitability it’ll happen regardless but if it’s a habit your bunkies will take note.

Last tip: If you do notice that someone else is being quarterdecked daily or holding your platoon behind….(this more applies when you’re there over a month) get a few of your other buddies and jump on that Quarterdeck with the guy getting smoked…..believe me it’ll start a chain reaction and your DI’s won’t know wtf is happening but once he sees that you guys are learning to be 1 cohesive unit and you’re as hearing to the ideal of no man left behind….he will respect your platoon more than he ever would have.

Just food for thought

Good Luck: You’re gonna need it haha but like the guy said…once it’s over it’s a blip on the screen but those things you learn will help in multiple ways you never would have imagined.

P.S. Or you can be like me in boot camp and make sure you are behind a scansion whenever your DI asks for volunSUCKERS or just bored and wants to smoke someone. If his eyes meets yours…..you’re done haha.

02-07 OIF/OEF USMC Vet

[christianthomas]

Hey man I leave Monday and I’m super nervous and I’m pretty skinny but I did pass the ist but I’m nervous I’ll fail something bc I’m not that strong so any advice to ease my mind?