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Boot Camp Tips

We will list stories and tips about everything boot camp on this page. If you have any stories or tips you would like to share please contact us and we will get it added.

MCRD San Diego
MCRD Parris Island

SURVIVAL TIPS:

Avoid eye contact. (It's harder for a Drill Instructor to intimidate you if you're looking past or through him!)
Bear in mind that no matter how traumatic things seem Boot Camp is only Temporary.
Trying your damnedest to achieve something is often more impressive than actually achieving it. Drill Instructors look for motivation and spirit more than anything else.
Don't volunteer for anything.
Keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open.
Doing push-ups (you'll do plenty of these) with your fingers spread and your palms off of the deck is easier than doing them with your fingers together and your palms flat.
Never, ever, ask a Drill Instructor "Why?"
Never smile at or near or within sight of a Drill Instructor. You have no right looking happy in boot camp, and if a Drill Instructor sees you looking this way he'll take steps to rectify the situation.
When you have to say something to a Drill Instructor, make sure your words are of the one or two syllable variety. That way you'll be less apt to say something that'll get you in trouble.
Eat quickly in the mess halls. Drill Instructors will occasionally abruptly terminate the time allotted for leisurely dining.
When you speak, speak loudly.
Avoid personal pronouns ("I," "me," "you," "they," "we") when speaking to Drill Instructors.
Don't question for one minute your decision to enlist in the Marines.
Make damn sure your boots fit. Foot trouble in boot camp can cause serious problems - like not graduating with your platoon.
Stay awake during the classes.
Know your General Orders

STORIES FROM OUR VISITORS:

From Namvet67:
Here is my boot camp info: MCRD San Deigo 3rd Battalion Platoon 324 Commenced training 11 Feb 67 Graduated 7 Apr 67 (turned 20 2 days before graduation) Battalion Commander LtCol J Terry Platoon Commander and SDI G/Sgt A. Phoenix (one mean indian) DI S/Sgt R Reed (hard ass with some understanding) DI Sgt Knight (one bad black man with a serious mean streak DI R Kelley (called him squeaky..unusual drill voice) Boot camp was reduced to only 8 weeks during this era so more bodies could get to Vietnam. One more thing....the DI's did get physical with you in those days and you can bet your ass they used the F word! I hear they don't beat on you or cuss at you in todays boot camps!