Marine Boot Camp | How To Prepare for Marine Corps Boot Camp

Exercise and Strength

Improving your current physical condition before going to boot camp will only increase your chance of boot camp survival and success. Let's face it, if your physical shape NOW leaves much to be desired, boot camp will kick your butt. You get one chance. Get in shape NOW.

Boot Camp Exercise Routine

-- Run a few miles each day

-- Do Sit Ups

-- Do Pull Ups

-- Swim

Your initial strength test (IST) while at Marine boot camp will require the following for you to pass.

Men
2 Pulls ups and 44 crunches in two minutes.
Run 1.5 miles in thirteen and a half minutes.

Females
Flex-arm hang of 12 seconds and 44 crunches in two minutes.
Run 1.5 miles in fifteen minutes.

Your Weight

Don't show up at Marine boot camp over-weight. Your Instructor will order that you be put on a "diet tray".... and you do NOT want that.

Learn more ways to prepare for Marine boot camp:

Memorize and Study

Your Recruiter should have told you all the items you will need to memorize and study before getting to boot camp. Do it.

The following is a list of items you need to memorize before boot camp.

-- US Marine Corp Rank

-- 11 General Orders for a Sentry

-- Marines Hymn

-- USMC Core Values

-- M16A4 Rifle Characteristics

-- Code of Conduct

Also, study Marine History and the Marine Rifle Creed.

What You Can Bring to Boot Camp

What do you pack for boot camp? Basic answer?

Nothing.

You can bring the clothes on your back that you are wearing upon arrival. Once you have been received, you will be issued all clothing and uniform needs.

Bring your important documents such as:

-- Drivers License

-- Banking Info

-- Social Security Card

Medication

No over-the-counter medication will be allowed. Any prescription medication you bring will be evaluated. If the Marines deem that medication necessary, your prescription will be re-issued by the military pharmacy.

Contacts

Contacts may not be worn at boot camp. bring your prescription glasses. While in boot camp, you will be issued a new pair of military glasses. You will not be permitted to wear your civilian glasses once your military prescription glasses have been issued.

Many recruits look to take a Bible with them to boot camp. Also, many family members and loved ones of recruits like to give Bibles as gifts to their recruits.

Can a Recruit Have a Bible at Boot Camp?

Yes - as long as the Bible can fit in the recruits pocket.

A perfect Bible for a recruit is this Marine Bible.

The Drill Instructors JOB is to Weaken YOU

Preparing for the mental challenge of Marine Boot Camp is as important as your physical strength. If you are not mentally strong, Marine Boot Camp will break you...

And you will fail.

Watch the video below and see how it starts before you even ARRIVE at boot camp.

I have the utmost respect, and appreciation, for the men and women of the USMC and all branches of United States Military.
America thanks you.

When times get difficult in boot camp, remember the pride US citizens have in their Marines.

Feel that pride within yourself.

I asked a friend of mine about how he prepared for boot camp with the Marines. I asked about what exercises to do, how to prepare mentally...all of that.

His answer?

"I thought I was ready for boot camp. I took my enlistment into the Marine Corps very, very seriously. I thought running 2-5 miles every day, working on my bench press, squats & other weight training would prepare me. Looking back on it now, before boot camp I was DEAD WRONG."

My friend went on to tell me that it is almost impossible to totally prepare yourself, both physically AND mentally, for the extreme challenges that are faced while in boot camp without help.

His advice?

Learn from those that have been there.

You can read his advice in his USMC boot camp preparation guide.

His advice is brutally honest.

Click here to read what he has to say.

You Only Get One Chance - Be Prepared