Marine Corps Boot Camp - How to Prepare for Marine Boot Camp

I was 17 and my folks had to sign a release so I could enlist. I arrived at MCRD, San Diego for Marine Corps Boot Camp in June of 1972, right after high school graduation.

During my 12 weeks of Marine Corps Boot Camp I served as squad leader, qualified Expert with the M14 rifle and 1911A1 .45ACP pistol. I graduated with a meritorious promotion to Pfc (E-2) and since my GCT scores were fairly high I was offered the Platoon Leaders Course which was, at that time, an alternative course for Officer Candidates who had not graduated from college. And ...

Although the offer looked amazing on the surface it actually posed some drawbacks to a young 17 year old Marine, just out of boot camp, who wasn't sure at that point as to whether he wanted to become a "lifer" or not. So being young I passed on that tremendous opportunity electing to simply be the best enlisted Marine I could be.

IF you decide to take on the challenge I recommend you prepare yourself for Marine Corps Boot Camp so that you are armed with knowledge that will definitely make your training easier. When you graduate you'll have the right to be proud. Proud for the rest of your life. You'll know what the words Honor, Courage, Commitment and Semper Fi really mean.

Marine Corps Boot Camp is incredibly challenging, both mentally and physically. If you're wondering just how challenging it is ...well ...

In 1972 my Marine Corps Boot Camp platoon graduated about HALF of the initial recruits ... if that tells you anything. First Phase was the toughest. There were a lot of "non-hackers." They couldn't handle the psycological torment or massive amounts of PT. For you to graduate you'll need a very strong resolve, athletic agility, good upper body strength, a vast amount of endurance (forced marches of 10 - 20 miles), the ability to run 3 - 5 miles at a crack and no fear. If this isn't you ... you may want to consider the Airforce or Coast Guard. :-)

IF you decide to take on the challenge of becoming a Marine I recommend you prepare for Marine Corps Boot Camp so that you have a much better chance of reaching graduation. If you do graduate you'll have the right to be proud. Proud for the rest of your life. You'll know what the words Honor, Courage, Commitment and Semper Fi really mean.

Want to become a Marine? If so you MUST survive Marine Corps Boot Camp. Start now ...

Marine Corps Boot Camp will most likely be the most gruelling 12 weeks of your entire life and if you want to survive Marine Corps Boot Camp you will need to start preparing so that your chances of graduating increase dramatically. So what steps can you take, starting right now, to increase your chances of surviving Marine Corps Boot Camp? Here are 4 Steps you can take right now ...

1) Get in shape physically. The physical training in Marine Corps Boot Camp is very demanding. If you're overweight lose it. If your upper body strength is poor - get strong. If your endurance is lacking - build it. You'll need to be able to:

* Accomplish at least 3 pull-ups
* 40 sit-ups in 2 minutes
* Run 3 miles in less than 28 minutes.

Those were MINIMUM requirements in 1972 when I went through Marine Corps Boot Camp at MCRD, San Diego. They have changed the requirements somewhat but IF you can meet those 3 PFT requirements now, you'll be that much farther ahead and find the physical training at Marine Corps Boot Camp to be a lot easier to swallow.

2) Get in shape mentally. For many recruits the mental abuse you will be subjected to during Marine Corps Boot Camp far outweighs the physical training demands in regards to difficulty. Keep in mind there are important reasons for the mental conditioning.

* To weed out those who can't take it
* To inspire unconditional discipline
* To mentally transform each recruit into a team member

Remember, once you graduate you will be a U.S. Marine. What that means is that you could very likely see combat which requires teamwork, quick thinking, nerves of steel and unconditional discipline to stay alive. Your life and the life of your fellow Marines may very well depend upon your mental stability and courage.

3) Learn Marine Corps history. Learn all you can about the Marine Corps such as:

* What the Corps stands for (core values)
* Who the Corps heros are and why
* Famous Marine Corps battles

4) Learn basic Marine Corps knowledge. By taking the initiative to learn these things in advance you'll find you are much farther ahead of the other recruits you'll meet during your 12 weeks of Marine Corps Boot Camp. Learn:

* A Marine's 11 General Orders.
* A Marine's Code of Conduct
* The USMC Rifle Creed
* USMC Quotes and Jargon
* USMC Leadership Traits
* Commandmants of the USMC
* The Marine Corps Prayer
* Nomenclature of the M16A2/A4 & M4 Carbine
* Marine Rank Insignias

And not necessarily in that order. See if you can determine which are the most important. I'll give you a hint. EVERY Marine, whether a cook or a Force Recon Officer, is considered and trained as a combat "rifleman" and each Marine is required to qualify every year.

By taking the initiative to prepare in advance for Marine Corps Boot Camp you'll not only begin to learn the qualities of leadership but you'll also find you are much farther ahead of the other recruits you'll meet during Marine Corps Boot Camp and your recruit training adventure.

You bring absolutely NOTHING to Marine Corps Boot Camp except:

1) Driver's License
2) Social Security Card
3) Bank Information

Everything, and I mean E-V-E-R-Y thing else will be issued to you upon arrival. If the Corps wants you to have it they will issue it to you! Anything you bring other than the 3 items mentioned above is contraband and will be confiscated.

As our DI, S/Sgt Ferrall, screamed: "I am now your father, mother. brother, sister. I am your family. Your only family is that clear?"

Appropriate response for ALL recruits is "SIR, YES SIR!"

DI: "Louder worms I can't hear you."

Recruits: "SIR, YES SIR!"

DI: "You will sit, eat, piss, shit, shower, shave, march, run and sleep only when I tell you to do so, is that clear?"

Recruits: "SIR, YES SIR!"

DI: "If you are unmarried and my beloved Marine Corps wants you to have a wife the Corps will issue you one is that clear?"

Recruits: "SIR, YES SIR!"

And that my wannabe Marine is fact.

The Crucible is a, Marine Corps Boot Camp test every Marine recruit, you included, must go through to become a Marine. It tests every recruit physically, mentally and morally and is the defining moment in recruit training.

The Crucible takes place over 54-hours and includes food and sleep deprivation, combat assault courses, the leadership reaction course, the team-building warrior stations and over 45 miles of marching. Bottom line ...

The Crucible is a rite of passage you will never forget. With that memory and the core values learned in recruit training, you'll be able to draw upon the experience to face any challenge in your path.

In the Corps your rifle ain't a gun.

"This Is My Rifle"

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I WILL...

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. WE WILL HIT...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each other. WE WILL...

Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. WE ARE THE SAVIORS OF MY LIFE.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!

Once you begin Marine Corps Recruit Training you'll need to memorize your 11 general orders so you may as well take the initive and learn them now.

The 11 General Orders for U.S. Marines

General Order 1
To take charge of this post and all government property in view.

General Order 2
To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

General Order 3
To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

General Order 4
To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.

General Order 5
To quit my post only when properly relieved.

General Order 6
To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.

General Order 7
To talk to no one except in the line of duty.

General Order 8
To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

General Order 9
To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.

General Order 10
To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.

General Order 11
To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

If you graduate Marine Corps Recruit Training and become a Marine you will live by The Marine Code of Conduct. This is that code:

ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.

ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.

ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA