I’m going to Marine Corps boot camp in a few weeks. I’m not a physical badass or anything, but I can easily exceed the physical strength requirements for Marine Corps Basic Training. I don’t consider myself stupid. I can recall the 11 general orders without difficulty. I can follow instructions.
However, one issue just popped into my mind. Although I have U.S. citizenship, I came from a different country, so I have accent. I look different (I’m Asian as the title implies). But, I’m fully capable of understanding, speaking, and writing English… Well, sometimes, I make people repeat themselves because I couldn’t understand them the first time, but no major difficulties. And most importantly, I’m willing to serve this country.
I’m kinda worried that I would be treated differently because of my ethnicity. I’d be singled out and picked on a lot by Drill Sergeants. I DO NOT mind taking on the challenges that every other recruit does. If others have to crawl in the mud, then I will crawl in the mud too. If they do 50 push-ups, I will do 50 push-ups too. But I wouldn’t like it if I get some sort of punishment from Drill Sergeants just because of the way I look or speak.
I won’t be stupid at boot camp. I will shut my mouth and open my eyes and ears. I won’t look for any negative attention from Drill Sergeants. If I mess up, I will take responsibility for that. But, will they pick on me a lot beccause I’m Asian? I know there aren’t many Asians in U.S. military, but theres gotta be at least 1 or 2. right? And I bet some of you that went to Marine Boot camp saw how Asians were treated there.. any comments?
8 Responses to “Being Asian In Marine Corps Boot Camp?”
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On the contrary, I think you may recieve less attention from the Drill Sgt’s and other recruits, your probably more patriotic than some of the asshats that will be going to bootcamp (being from another country but still signing up to defend this one.)
Don’t worry about it dude, and please, for the love of god if you do get screamed and yelled at by the Drill Sgt’s, don’t automatically assume that it’s because your from another country, thats the problem these days, alot of minorities think they are being singled out when a big white guy yells at them, they cry racism when they have no knowledge of how that person treats others.
Don’t assume, make sure you think about it logically before, and also remember, there are alot of other minorities in the Marine Corps, not just asians.
there will be a lot of different ethnicities in boot camp. i think its great that youre willing to fight for this country; thats all that matters. just do what you’re told, and you will survive.
Unless you make yourself a target, the DI will be too busy with other targets to go after you. I never saw anyone treated any differently because of their ethnic heritage.
Drill Instructors are made to make you a marine. they’ll get into your mind and push you like nothinphysicallyysically as well. however they are not racist. they wont exploit you because of your ethnicity. unless you draw too much attention to yourself they wont single you out. GOOD LUCK bro, boot camp,.. the best thing you never wanna do again.
no one will even notice. the Marine has blacks, hispanics, eskimos, indians, –you name it— It is not the color of your skin or the accent of your speech, it’s what in your heart that counts.
Hey dude I’m half Asian and I have the same concern. I grew up in Japan and I moved to the US about a year ago. I’m planning to enlist in the military soon. I intend on changing my American last name to my Japanese last name (Dont ask me why. Long story). I worried a little about how there might be discrimination but if I think about what an American is, its a person of mixed ethnicity. everyone who say they are an American is mixed (German, Russian, Irish, Korean, Japanese,….you name it) so we really cant put a face to who is white, black, or whatever. Same goes for their family names. The only people who are going to throw racial and ethonic crap at ya are most likely the ignorant kids from middle of nowhere in America. Why do I know that? Most of the soldiers based in Japan that I’ve met were ignorant, ruining the image of America by causing problems in the city.
Drill Sergeants will pick on anyone for anything. When mine discovered I was from California, from then on, they talked to me with a lisp, like I was homosexual. I would expect that you will get some grief, because what they’re doing is teaching you to cope with stress. (Like you will find in combat.) If you can’t handle that, you don’t belong in the military.
Dude don’t worry about that, there will be lots of ethnicitys in your Basic Trng. Nobody will pick on you, unless they are just jokin with ya a lil, but nothing serious, and thats from the other guys in training, not the TIs. Like I got a buddy I work with named Jerry and he’s Laotion and we always say "Herro Radies, Jerry is here", but he loves it, if he didn’t we wouldn’t do it. TIs are super professional man, they are not going to do that stupid shit, its great that you want to serve in the military and you will be respected like any other race that serves. Good Luck buddy.