I can remember my early days of being in Marine Corps boot camp being some of the scariest days of my youth. I must admit that I did not know what to expect when I signed the paperwork to become a United States Marine.
Looking back on it all I now realize that I really did not have a clue as to what should be expected when actually living onboard a Marine Recruiting Depot, as a new recruit.
Find out if you could graduate boot camp
I can vividly recall stepping off the bus and standing on the yellow footprints, which is an event that transcends time and is common to Marines virtually all over the world. When it is mentioned to someone that has lived the experience, there is always a slight lifting of the upper lip as if the memory is a fond one. In that moment of time the emotions of Marine Corps Boot Camp are evident
One must realize that Marine Corps Boot Camp is really a love-hate relationship. You love it, once you are a graduate, but while you are in the sand-pit, you have very little affection for being there. Once you march across that parade deck on graduation day you know that you have matured into something that is bigger than yourself.
You know that when you complete Marine Corps Boot Camp, you have been accepted into an elite group of warriors that have traveled around the world planting the American Flag wherever the Hell it was needed. While in boot camp there WILL BE times you want to quit, but to become a Marine, the can do spirit is born in boot camp, and it is there where the warriors are forged.
This little article has been read by 1,000′s of young men and woman looking to discover information about what it takes to be able to become a United States Marine. Let me be the first to tell you that if you want to become a Marine, the answer will not be found here.
The answer you seek will only be found when you are wearing the uniform of a recruit and are being led around by loud, fast and relentless Drill Instructors. To be able to answer the question of whether or not you have what it takes to complete Marine Corps Boot Camp can only be answered by how well you respond to those Drill Instructors.
The only advice you will find on this page to becoming a United States Marine is to get up and get motivated right now. Once you pass all the tests, the A.S.V.A.B. and P.T. and all of the other things, you will experience “hurry up and wait” for the first time. Before you ship out to MCRD Parris Island or MCRD San Diego, it is suggested that you get your head into the game. Sure you should exercise and run and run some more….but the exercise is not what is the critical achievement you will be required to complete.
Find out what your Drill Instructors REALLY think!
To become a United States Marine you will need to pass the “head games” that are played, because even if you are Hercules, the Drill Instructors will wear you down, that is their job. Sure you should whip your body into the best physical shape you can muster, but you really need to get your head screwed on straight to be able to march on the parade deck on graduation day.
Without being able to cope with all of the emotions, it will not matter how many pullups you can do. If you can’t cope with the Drill Instructors you will be the strong Marine Corps Boot Camp failure in history, and if you do fail, you will not have earned the coveted title of United States Marine .
Semper Fi!