Me and the recruiter have mostly been talking paperwork stuff.

Benefits, pay, etc. etc.


Actually, thinking about it, he's never once mentioned boot camp to me.... Hmmm...

 

My recruited was pretty straight up with me. he told me he only wanted me if I wanted to be a Marine. College, Job, Benefits, He told me to go to some other branch if that is what I was looking for.

 

Yeah, well me and my recruiter have been friends since... 3 years ago.


Weight count on Friday, November 26, 2010: 257 lbs
Weight count on Sunday, November 28, 2010: 253 lbs

That's staying on a 2000 calorie diet. Probably a lot of it is water weight, and not to mention my eating has cut down by half, and my water intake has tripled. It's clearing out my system.

So, cool! I keep up the workouts every day, i'll lose weight by eating less and working it off, and gain muscle.


Seeing that scale gave me a boost in morale.

 

You CAN do it! And you are well on your way...............

 

Good to hear! Keep it up!

 

You need to take the ASVAB soon. HAve you taken the practice one yet? You can't join the military until you've taken the test, so knock that out soon. I don't know what the Marines require to get in, but the navy is/ was (as of 2 years ago) 35. I think the Marines may be a bit higher. If you work on your own truck, you'll likely do well in the MK (mechanical knowledge) category. Whatever, just get that test done soon, or it's all for naught. Assuming you're test score is sufficient, MEPS is another hurdle to think about, even if you're in great health. I'll give you a couple of reasons why:
1) You tell the doctor something stupid like "my mother told me I had asthma as a kid." You're done. Get proof that you don't have asthma and come back.
2) "I'm allergic to bees." Go home, we can't use you.
3) "I get headaches sometimes." Go home and we'll get a referral for you to see a nuerologist.
4) ... I think you get my point.
I'm not suggesting you lie, but you have to talk to the recruiter about anything that might hold you up.
They will check your criminal background, too. Even the juvenile stuff, so tell them about it all, and if the recruiter tells you to lie about anything, or "don't worry about that," he's not your friend. This includes even the most minor traffic infraction.

They should do drug tests on you in the recruiter's office. If you've done any drugs recently, don't go to MEPS. Period. If you pop on MEPS' drug test, you're done, no exceptions- I don't know how long you have to wait to re-submit. If you tell MEPS that you've NEVER done drugs, you absolutely, positively cannot change your story- EVER. When I was working at MEPS for the navy, I told recruits all the time I don't care if you've ever done drugs,as long as you don't do them from this point forward, but whatever you do, don't change your story. Often, they would get dragged back to the office by the contract office only to find that they decided to 'come clean.' Dumb. They aren't going to do a DNA test to see if they find drugs, but they will make it a scary experience. They'll threaten you, cajole you and make you think that they know what you did in a previous existence. The truth is, they simply test urine, and as long as you stick by your story and your pee is clean, you're fine. When you have your going away party, make it clear to all your 'hippie' friends that you are joining the finest fighting force the world has ever known and that drugs are not welcome anywhere near you. Friends won't tempt you with "It's just one toke, bro." It'll show up the day you're supposed to ship out and you're going to be finished.

I worked in the Navy Liaison Office for 2 years and I've seen a lot of really dumb things. One of the dumbest is getting a tattoo between MEPS and shipping out for bootcamp. Don't do it. It requires another waiver, because (at least in the navy) you have to sign a document saying you'll get no additional tattoos before you ship out.

 

theres always that "one guy" that gets a Marine tattoo before he is a Marine, Drill Instructors LOVE THAT... oh you would be a special recruit forsure. and get lots of EXTRA attention.

 

I did 20 years in the Navy and don't regret a bit of it. I would do it all over in a heartbeat!

 

I admire your commitment and desire!
You will have days/moments when you just want to say Effit! but don't give in it will pass. Basic and AIT are designed for that stress. (except 1st day with live rounds and 1st day with hand grenades, go figure, lol)
I wish I could add to the list but I think they all have it covered!
MEPS...Tell them the minimum and only what they want to hear.
Don't worry about knowing anything! The military will teach you all you need to know.
Good luck on the weight...You can do it! It's all in your head!

 

Besides the physical aspects you are concerned with in boot, prepare your mind.......You will want to take no mental baggage with you when you pass those gates, settle your affairs at home before you leave. Your mind should be wrapped around obeying, learning, and doing.......You can start by wrapping your mind around boring, monotonous tasks, doing them well and doing them fast.
And lastly, leave any uneasiness with minorities at home........once in, you are all the same color.

 

Same here. I did 24 and loved it more and more as I became more senior in rank.

I would like to add that attitude will make or break any military recruit. There will always be something that is difficult to overcome, that's life as everyone knows it. But, if you do your damnedest and attack all tasks with great deal of zeal and vigor, you will go long way.

1. Learn Humility.
2. Don't be too cocky
3. Listen attentively, be coachable and learn. In other words, ears open and mouth shut.
4. Don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be a know it all.
5. Do not kiss a$$!!!!!!!!!
6. Don't be afraid. Boot camp is there to prepare you for the realities of being a Marine. They will push you to the limits of your physical and mental endurance and then demand more.

Always remember, you have a huge FTE family to lean on when the going gets rough.

 

There's four pieces of really profound advice there!

1) Running around a track, or even around the block over and over can be boring as hell. I used to go on a circuit that I changed frequently so that I saw new stuff pretty much all the time, and considered myself a Reebok Tourist...

2) The best manual of bodybuilding info I ever found was Schwarzenneggers "Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding" - it goes into detail and explains the theory behind muscular body types and developement. There are very sound and exploitable principles behind all of it.

3) There's no harm or foul in having a treat once in a while as a reward for progress - but your tastes will change over time. Strange but true, what were once goodies no longer seem attractive...

4) Amen to the motivational stuff! I used to have centerfolds from muscle building mags all over the place, and was always wondering "How did (whoever) get 'em like THAT?" It's a dead sure way to stay focused all the time.

 

After that when you get to Marine Boot camp they have what they call "The Moment of Truth" They will pack you into a tiny room they will tell you they know everyone in the room who is lying about drugs and legal issues. They will very very convincingly tell you and the room they know exactly who you are, and this is your absolutely last chance to admit so they can clear it up and let you continue. And if you don't come forward willingly they will throw you out. They will then tell you they are gonna leave you to yourselves to think about it for a minute but when they come back if you don't come forward your done.

once again as stated above they know nothing, its just an initial weeding out process. However they are convincing.

 

the more lean you get the better off you will be, Marines isnt a body building contest, but an endurance one. 90% of Marines are thin and lean. not big dummys like you see in the movies.

 

ME NOT BIG DUMMY (scratchezzz hed) me not think.... Uhh...

But b-uno is right, "MO MUSCLE" isn't the answer. Staying power IS!

However - understanding muscle growth, nutrition, and physical training are key points addressed in the manual I noted above, and you can tailor your application of what you gain from it. For what you want to accomplish there is another book out there called "The Runners Handbook" (it's a KICK *** manual on running), it's all about how to train to be a superior runner.

Either way - the key to success is to get info from proven sources; you wouldn't ask a man with a clapped out Toyota that they got because their momma gave it to them how to rebuild a 351 Windsor would you? You want to hear from people who've been there and built race engines!

That's the principle of "EXAMINE THE SOURCE".
For anything you want to do, always talk to (or read books by) those who are obviously successful at it, and ignore people who failed at it or are still trying everything in the world to get there. LOOK AT the source...

If they don't have the results you need, you can't get it from them.

Apply the same reasoning to anyone who tries to disparage what you have set out to do - I'd bet my last dime that anyone who tells you you can't succeed is a loser, and failing because of their own lack of faith in themselves.

BUILD A FIRE INSIDE YOURSELF!

NEVER QUIT!!!

I think it was Napoleon who once said "Le AUDACE! Le AUDACE! Tous jours, LE AUDACE..." which is taken to mean:

"AUDACITY! Always AUDACITY..."
(a motto well worth remembering)

-it is from a man who nearly conquered the known world in his time...

For everyone still on active duty - the runners handbook ought to be at the top of your required reading list, it has insights that are absolutely amazing