How to Train for Marine Corps Boot Camp?

If someone wanted to train for Marine Corps Boot Camp, what would you tell them?

We hear this question quite often about how to best train for Marine Corps boot camp and the answer is always the same.  The common misconception is that Marine boot camp is simply about running and jumping and doing pull ups and having a Drill Instructor screaming in your face.  The sad truth is that getting ready, physically is only the very tip of the training.

What most do not realize is that boot camp has so much more to what is going on, as a recruit, than simple physical exercise.  I do not want to make you think for one second that being fit is not important because that would be a severely lacking untruth.

When you report into boot camp the biggest thing that you have going against you is the fear of the unknown.  That fear is what keeps your mind in high gear all the hours of each day.   That fear is simply not knowing what is really going on all around a recruit.

After boot camp many Marines have commented that they enjoyed boot camp because they were simply herded around like cattle and were always on time because of the ever present Drill Instructors.  That fact has some good points that are true, but I want to take it one step further, since you asked the question as to how best prepare for Marine Corps boot camp.

The single most important thing you can do to help you get ready for Marine Corps boot camp is to train your body, while also training your mind.  I have created this website with the single focus of being able to not only SURVIVE Marine Corps boot camp, but also be able you to EXCELL at Marine Corps boot camp.

In order to excel in Marine Corps boot camp you will need three essential things.

1. Fit body
2. Mentally prepared
3. Emotionally adaptability

Fit Body
Of course you know what it takes to have a fit body.  If you are not sure how to get your body ready you simply need to be a healthy weight and be able to run, jump and do pull-ups and crunches and side-straddle hops and mountain climbers and a host of other “things” that will require physical exertion.  What really does not matter is being in super physical shape because the Drill Instructors are trained to be able to pound you into the dirt with little regard of your physical condition.  Everyone will be pushed to their limit, no matter where that limit may be.  They will be pushed to their limit.

Mentally Prepared
Being prepared mentally is one thing that many Poolees work on while they are in the DEP program.  Being prepared mentally often amounts to nothing more than just doing the minimum, because of the foolish (and incorrect) thought that Marine Corps boot camp is all physical.  Often the only thing a person does while preparing for Marine Corps boot camp mentally is learning the General Orders and maybe some of the terminology and also some of other basic facts.  The truth is that Marine boot camp is loaded with classes and things that need to be memorized.  I will be the first to admit that the course curriculum is not that difficult when looked at from the slow and lazy life of someone that is not in boot camp.

That sad reality is that Marine Corps boot camp is so fast-paced and stress filled that having the time to study is what creates the issue.  Often many recruits that have difficulty MEMORIZING stuff find it difficult to master classes while a recruit.  It is not so much the material that is difficult, it is being able to get it all done while living the life of a Marine Recruit that has every second of every day planned and determined before they even enter receiving!

What is suggested is that you learn as much as you can BEFORE you go to boot camp.  You should learn and memorize the things that you need to know BEFORE you report into boot camp.  By mastering the course material now, you simply will not have to spend the time later.  If you learn the first aid, the customs and traditions and the M16 facts and the UCMJ and ……..  The point is that you should NOT wait till you are standing in formation on the yellow foot prints!  This procrastination is what most recruits do and this is why so many recruits have difficulty because they wait till the last second and try to master the materials while living in the stressed filled and hectic life of a recruit.

Emotionally adaptability
Emotions play a very big role as a recruit, but they may not be from where you think.  Depending on the situation you leave at home may determine your success as a recruit.  If you have a girlfriend or boyfriend and worry about them cheating on you.  If you are married and supporting a spouse or a child or a parent can all weigh heavily on your mind.  While you are a recruit the ONLY contact you will have is the mail.  If you receive word that there is an issue at home your Drill Instructor really will not care and you will have to deal with it , as a recruit.  You better get your emotions ready also!

In closing I just want you to understand that the physical portion of Marine Corps boot camp is tough, so it is a given you will need to prepare.  The hidden truth behind the curtain is that you will exist in a stress filled world that will not allow you to study much, so you really should get as much memorizing done, before you go.  The reason for this is not just to be able to graduate, but to help give you a chance to excel, which is what you should try to do.  Why not do more than graduate…why not start training NOW and be the Honor Graduate?

Click Here To Learn How To Study For Marine Corps Boot Camp

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