6 tips from a Marine infantryman to prepare yourself for boot camp
Future Marines from Marine Corps Recruiting Station Fort Worth got a taste of what Recruit Training will be like during the station’s Annual Pool Function, April 27-28, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Danielle Rodrigues/Released)
SUMMARY
Ever wondered how to physically prepare for basic training? It's time to focus on the PFT, also known as the Physical Fitness Test. That's lots of running and crunches. With pull-ups, you should go in with the ability to do 20 in one go but the reality is most people fall around the 18 and 19 category. Aim higher but if you're trying to ship out fast, then those numbers will do as a base. Just continue to improve with these tips for boot camp because your future promotions depend on it.
These are the top 6 tips from a Marine infantryman to prepare yourself for boot camp
1. Do not bring anything with you
Everything you come with will be taken and separated during receiving. Don't take anything sentimental with you. Do you really want to lose a family heirloom in boot camp? If it means something to you keep it safe. Take it with you on deployments in the future where you'll be able to reflect during the quiet moments. Trust me, prepare yourself to be busy "AF" in Parris Island or San Diego.
2. If you have a famous relative keep it to yourself
My last name is Cano and no matter how hard I tried to tell the Marines at the armory I am not related to the baseball player they would not believe me. I'm not. Yet, I still got slayed on the quarter deck regardless. So, if you are related to someone influential, be warned: STFU.
3. Stick together if you join as a group
When I enlisted I was fortunate enough to enlist with my friends. The three of us had each other's back throughout. It's up to each of you to also stick together during receiving and letting the staff know you're in the same program. It's organized chaos and the staff do not have an individual list saying 'these guys go here because of their specific contract'. Receiving is your first test to making sure you all get hazed in the same squad bay. If you have the same Military Occupational Specialty, MOS, prepare yourself to potentially get stationed at the same school and even unit when you hit the fleet.
4. Memorize as much knowledge as possible
If you're shipping out quickly, the most important piece of knowledge is your general orders. Everything else is extra but the meat and potatoes are those orders. One of the most important tips for boot camp is to prepare yourself to know your general orders in the fleet in-case someone wants to throw a curve ball during an inspection.
General Orders:
- To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
- To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
- To report all violation of orders I am instructed to enforce.
- To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.
- To quit my post only when properly relieved.
- To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from commanding officer, officer of the day, and all officers and non-commissioned officers of the guard only.
- To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
- To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
- To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.
- To salute all officers, and all colors and standards not cased.
- 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.
Knowing your general orders is not only the first thing you should learn as a recruit but it will also keep you from getting hazed for the wrong reason. Boot camp is designed to test your mental and physical limits. Prepare yourself to learn these before shipping out will help you by having one less thing to worry about.
5. Learn rank insignias
Just like the general orders, memorizing the rank structure will be one less thing to worry about during training. You're going to need all the extra time and energy to memorize other things in boot camp. After boot camp you'll remember these forever.
6. Be loud
Just friggin' yell. Sometimes you can be completely wrong but if you're intense enough you'll pass. After a while the yelling becomes funny when the shock factor of boot camp goes away. I remember when we would be standing on the line in the squad bay we would see how ridiculous we would be able to get to formation without it being the reason to be yelled at. The best one was where one of the recruits jumped on line into the formation completely butt naked. Just red in the face yelling 'Aye, sir' at another grown man at attention. Instant, means instant in the Marines. Due to instant obedience to orders he was not in the wrong and won.
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