Boot camp is supposed to push you past what you believe your limits are, both mentally and physically. It’s supposed to teach you that you are much tougher and stronger than you believe you are, but that you absolutely rely on your fellow recruits and teammates to accomplish your mission and goals.
So what can you do to help you come prepared for the training of USMC boot camp?
Getting In Shape for Boot Camp
Without a doubt, you will be doing yourself a huge favor by getting yourself into the best shape as possible before you even arrive. You must pass a physical fitness test and certain weight & height requirements to even be accepted into training. If you are over or under weight, your recruiter can help you reach a specific target that can get you into boot camp. The truth of the matter is that no amount of physical training will make boot camp easy though. Drill instructors will push you to your limits, as they should. However, being in great shape before you even arrive will definitely help you keep up and excel during training.
Some good advice for leading up to boot camp would be to run at least 3 miles and “march” for at least up to 10 miles. When you first start boot camp, you won’t be running that far, but it won’t take long before you do. Concentrate on doing sit-ups (crunches) and pull-ups.
If you are overweight when you enter boot camp, don’t be surprised if your drill instructor assigns a “diet tray” to you. And if you arrive underweight, you can expect to be served double rations.
Things to Learn and Memorize Before Boot Camp
You’ll be spending countless hours practicing drill, so you can study and practice drill calls before you arrive. One easy thing you can do before boot camp is learn the Marine Corps ranks. You’ll need to learn that while at boot camp and it helps to know this stuff before you’re there. You don’t get a ton of free time to yourself, so the less you need to pack into studying the easier it is for you.
You’ll be told to learn the 11 General Orders for Sentry and will probably learn the Marine Rifle Creed. Recruits recite the rifle creed in the movie Full Metal Jacket, “This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine…” You should also learn the Marine’s Hymn (particularly focus on the 1st verse).
In boot camp, you’ll have classes and tests on core values, Marine Corps history, the ins and outs of the M16A4 rifle and the Code of Conduct.
There’s definitely a lot that you can learn about the Marine Corps before you ship off for training and the less you have to work on while there, the easier your time will be and the better you will perform. It would even be helpful if you used some of your time to help your platoon members with the things you already know.
Swimming and Rappelling
You’ll have to pass a swim qualification test during boot camp after receiving some lessons. You’ll also have to rappel down a wall, so if you can’t swim or you have a height phobia, you can help yourself out a lot by working on those issues before you go to boot camp. There are no wavers; you have to pass both tests to be a Marine.
Drill Instructors will do everything in their power to give you the training in everything you need to know to complete boot camp. Sometimes recruits struggle on particular areas of training, like swimming, shooting, passing written tests, etc. Most of the time, recruits can get additional training and still complete boot camp, but it’s much easier to not be held back, prolonging your stay at boot camp and resulting in not graduating with your platoon.
im 14 yrs old and want to join the corps and am in good shape i do track,crosscountry running, and wrestling. is it true you have to be good at math to be a sniper? i also need to put on more muscle. can you help me?
I’m 13 a girl and have wanted to become a marine forever I can run a mile in under 7 minutes and an in good shape I’m not particularly strong anything to help with that
Hi im a 16 year old sophomore in highschool I’m in good physical shape but I don’t ever shoot guns much at all, is it still possible to join with my little gun experience?
I’m 15 looking to join through the Naval Academy. It won’t matter if you don’t shoot often, you can still get in as long as you can learn during basic. Many Marines throughout history have joined (or been drafted) without ever having fired a rifle. You’ll be fine.
Am a 16 yr old sophomore, I have wanted to enlist as a Marine for a long time, play football and run track, so I’m in great physical shape, also shoot my AR15 and 7mm mag pretty regularly and am a good shot. My problem is swimming, I’m not very good, if anyone can tell me what I could do to improve that would be much appreciated, I have taken swimming lessons, just not a fast swimmer. I lift weights daily and am strong for my size. I’m about 5’9 160, am supposed to be about 5’11, how much weight do I need to put on? I make all A’s except for math, that’s a C, I plan on enlisting after high school, what math will I need to know for ASVAB? I really want to go through sniper school and I’m a great shot with bolt action rifles and my dads m1a (m14) so is there a chance I can make it into sniper school even though I’m not very good at math? I am very self motivated and want to be the best I can be for the Marines, any helpful info would be great, thanks!
My name is youngmarine sgt. Rust I been wanting to become a marine seen I was 4 years old. I went to bootcamp they did not push us hard as the real marines. It is really hard they do push ups and they love to make u run.
i just want to know what does it take to be a marine and how long can you be in it ??
It takes a lot to be a Marine. The best thing is to talk to a recruiter. Just to join, you have to pass an IST. This includes a 1.5 mile run, 44 crunches in two minutes (minimum) and pull ups for males or a flexed arm hang for females.
You also can not have an disqualifying medical conditions or mental history. There are many other things that go into it though, including criminal history, tattoos etc.
Not everything that is ‘bad’ will mean that you can’t get in. Many things can be overlooked with a waiver.
The standard contract is 6 years. This is broken up into 4 years active duty and 2 years in the IRR (Independent Ready Reserve). You can keep enlisting every four years though and spend decades in the Corps.
I am 14 and i have always wanted to become a marine and fight and or die for my country. are there any restrictions to health such as asthma? And are there any restrictions to muscle and joint pain?
There are restrictions of physical problems yes. The best thing is to go to a recruiter in the area and talk to him about it. Some of your problems might be waiver-able or might be permanently disqualifying.
Hey. I’m 18 and I am a month away from leaving for recruit training and becoming a communications marine. My mom was in the marines and I am a former CO of Marine Corps JROTC so I have knowledge on rank structure, history, general orders and a lot more. I have also been in leadership positions and my JROTC instructor was a former drill instructors. But the closer I get to leaving the more nervous I become, I know bootcamp isnt easy but I feel like I am prepared as you can get but it still may not be enough. So is there anything else I can do to help prepare for the challenge of recruit training?
am just going into my junior year in high school and I can say am not out of shape but can still use some help if there is anything to help me out with my problem lease and thank you and also any way to gain a little more wight thanks for all your help.
You Joel need to go to the gym and lift weights to gain muscle weight. Eat double rations of GOOD FOOD as the article hath said. Trust me. Eating double rations at boot camp in 20 minutes is hard. Good luck kid!
Hi, im 16 and my sophomore year is just ending. I’m kinda in shape but im not noticeably strong. My average grades are just high B’s and low A’s. I want to go to college and maybe do ROTC. Is that something you would recommend. What else can i do? Thank you for your help.
NROTC (Navy ROTC. Includes Marine Corps) is extremely competitive for the Marines. Keep your grades up and get into to top physical shape. Also try to become the captain of as many groups or clubs as you can and do charity work.
Thanks this was very helpfull but Im outa shape
And need some advice on losing wait Im playing
Football to help me get tougher and stronger I’m about 2 start doing extra push ups
And crunches and running more is there anything else
I can do to get in shape
I have the same problem. I’ve signed up for advanced Physical Education (weightlifting) and am spending more and more time lifting at home. Just get out and run, hike and do what ever to loose weight and get in shape.
well you shold eat a little less so your body can digust more then do about 20 sit ups and crunches also do some cartio wich is running
im thinking of joining the marines but the problem i have is swimming i never swimed before and you need to know how to in order to pass boot camp.what should i do to help me with this problem and do they help people with the same problem in boot camp
I had the same problem 30 years ago when I shoved off for MCRD San Diego. I found that it wasn’t my inability to swim, but a fear of deep water in general that was preventing me from learning how. My recommendation is to get lessons before you shove off, because your drill-instructors will have very little compassion for your lack of water skills…TRUST ME!! Good luck and Semper Fi
If you dont know how to swim, well you need to learn, because you don’t want to be pushed off of the diving board like my father!
How can I gain muscle mass to reach or exceed the weight qualification? What would the workout consist of? (mainly focusing on upper body and neck muscle.)
if u are trying to gain wait start gong to the gym and try to get into some kind of sport anyways after the gym drink a protein shake and or eat chicken breast to gain muscle.
This post really took me back. I don’t want to scare anyone but I wrote a post talking about how boot camp change my life (in a positive way) back in 1988. I largely credit that experience with me being the man I am today. Check out the post here: “From the Halls of Montezuma”: http://www.presidentspilotsentrepreneurs.com/2012/02/from-halls-of-montezuma.html
This is my complex list of questions/information, read mindfully.
I am 20, I have a GED, plans on going to college to pick up some college units(maybe even some extra credits for kicks and boost), I am going to be married(to a Army Soldier mind you) and I have been interested for quite some time. I have learned the 1st verse to The Marine’s Hymn(I will learn the whole thing just because I have heart already and always no matter what). I, as well, have been doing my best to learn the 11 General Orders of Sentry, the “ins and outs” of the M16a4, Ranks, Code of Conduct, Marine Rifle Creed and even the simple needs to get a good score on the ASVAB.
My questions are, do I still have a chance? And how (with all that I have and am) should I get there?
Much appreciated – Stephanie Lusk
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im 26 n i want to join the marines but going thru divorce witch i hope it ends soon…also i have a 3yr old daughter that her mother has 80 percent custody…can i still join after my divorce n also is it true i need instead of my high school diploma i also need a associate degree?
You can find study guides for the ASVAB at your local public library. There are also “ASVAB for Dummies” books you can buy at boostores like Borders. You can also GOOGLE search on-line for study guides you can order. One place has flashcards with practice ASVAB questions on them you can carry with you and study when you have the spare time.
In general, the ASVAB test is comprised of math skills, reading comprehension, sentence structure/grammar, mechanical skills, etc. You can GOOGLE ASVAB test for sample questions and practice tests.
Every military job requires a certain ASVAB score. It’s important you make the highest score possible. Studying and preparation will pay off.
While you’re in highschool, it’s important to apply yourself and make the best grades you can. The more intelligent you are, the higher you’ll score on the ASVAB apptitude test. The ASVAB is used to determine which occupational field you are qualified for so the higher you score the more jobs will be open to you. For instance, with a low score you may be given a job as a cook or truck driver but you’ll need a high score if you want to be an intelligence specialist (intelligence specialists gather and analyze information about enemy forces).
Besides making good grades, it’s important to take care of your body and stay in good physical condition. This means maintaining a healthy weight, normal blood pressure, normal blood glucose, and normal vision (you can wear glasses). Stay away from drugs, alcohol, and unsafe sex. To improve your physical conditioning, concentrate on aerobics/cardio (running), upper body strength (pullups/pushups), and core strength (crunches/situps). The USMC physical fitness test is comprised of 3 mile run, dead-hang pullups (females do a flexed-arm hang), and crunches.
Other things to consider:
Never get a tattoo (the USMC has a strict tattoo policy; can get one later)
Don’t get your girlfriend pregnant (females don’t get pregnant; can’t be a single parent)
Don’t get in trouble with the law (may affect your ability to get a security clearance)
Stay in school (you must graduate highschool in enlist)
Master Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps (retired)
Im 14 years old and i want to know how to start getting in the best shape i can for when i turn 18…please help
Im 14, im going to enlist when im 18, how do i physically train or start training to be in the best shape when i show up in parris island?
Hi i’m 14 and a freshman i was hoping for some things to do to get me ready for boot camp because im outta shape and if some one can tell me the main points of the ASVAB that i can study before i take it i would appreciate that.
If you are a freshman in high school it is a very good time to start preparing. This will definitely help you to excel in boot camp. Trust me everything in the marines is a competition! As for physical stuff, if you just start running long distances and doing the simple sit ups and pull ups you should be more than prepared by the time you go!! Of course it will do no harm to go to the gym and lift some weights among other things just to gain that extra muscle. When you go in you will use muscles that you didn’t even know you had. As a high school student you have probably noticed some people at your school using steriods and other things to help them gain muscle. Do not go into that!!!! As for the ASVAB it is not to difficult but, it could do oyou some good to buy yourself an ASVAB study book. It gives you practice test and shows you what the questions are like, you need to gain a plethora of word knowledge, mechanics, among the usual things such as math, problem solving, etc.. but if you are a freshman and are starting now you are going to do well. Good luck and keep your grades up!
Gentlemen,
I would like to commend all of you for your interest in the Marine Corps. Just a few pieces of advice:
1. Recruit Training is NOT easy. It’s not designed to be. Unlike the other services, we require that you EARN the title of Marine. Remember, that all current and former Marines combined wouldn’t even come close to the total force of the Army. Hence “The Few, The Proud, The Marines”
Kenny- No, officers can’t not hold the MOS 0317 (Scout Sniper) unless they previously were awarded it while being an enlisted Marine.
Matt- Keep working!!! Talk to a recruiter and ask if you could come to their POOLE functions and do some of their PT with them. Remember, Perseverance pays off. The recruiters will be much more impressed (thus more likely to want to help) if they see initiative on your part.
Dale- Research, Research, Research…. Ok, I’m sure you get the point. You need a first class PT score, you need to qualify Expert on the range a few times in a row. This is one of the “Holy Grail” type of MOS desires in the Marine Corps.
Lastly, to all of you that are still in high school, middle school…etc. Focus on the things you need to focus on. You cannot enlist in the Marine Corps until you are 17, so enjoy your childhood!!! The best advice I can give you is to give your school work 100% effort. The Marine Corps values education! Get the best grades you can. It shows dedication and determination. You will need all of those smarts to get past the ASVAB!
You can do just about anything as long as you put your mind to it. Stay away from the drugs, the alcohol, the tobacco and everything else illegal! Remember the Marine Corps Core Values: HONOR, COURAGE, COMMITMENT!
Good Luck to all of you and Semper Fi-
Retired Marine
Hi this helped a lot to know. But I have a question, can you be a scout sniper if
You are an officer?
Great article here. I’m 23, about 6 ft tall, and 258lbs. I need to lose 30lbs before I can even enlist. Do you think that the process of me losing this 30lbs is going to help me in boot camp? I’m so out of shape and have been my whole life but I want to turn it around.
I am 14 and have wanted to join the corps for a while and this helped me on what to do. I am a freshmen and i have 4 years to work on this. In the marines want to become a scout sniper and i would like to excel above my other soldiers while in boot camp dose anyone have any tips on what to do?
im 17 and am very much gonna be a marine i rune 2 miles a day and do 100 push ups and sit ups a day should i do more and if so what else
,, Thanks a lot I’ve read quite a bit on here and it was all very helpful. I am 18 and I have decided to become a marine, next Friday is when I go in to take my physical and swear in. I believe the Marine Corps will help me in achieving my goal in hopes of one day working for the CIA. So I have chosen intelligence as my main interest, and with my scores of CL-114, GT-108, and EL-113 I’m really hoping I get placed in intelligence. I want to be the best of the best, I know I’m going to be great someday and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead. What I really want to know is if there is anyway of knowing for sure where I am most likely to be placed?? And how often, and which 02xx’s if any get deployed with ground units??
so lets say you pass as a marine and boot camp done how would u go forth in other area’s i just sighed my papers for the marines im 17 and i wanna go through ur sniper school witch i heard you have to be good at math but im really bad at math but lets say im a good shot where would that put me in the core
Josh: id prob get you a designated marksman or maybe work on math some.
Mike: no you cannot physically join the marines at 13. you can sign up early at 17 but other than that you HAVE to be 18.
Sean R: just all around muscle work. youll use ever known muscle in bootcamp and some you thought where strong youll see are weak.
thats sound real good thanks for your help and you take it easy man semper fi
can you get in this bootcamp at age the age of 13?
No. you simply cannot. this is for adults and those at the prime of their life. youll have your time if your persistant. enjoy being a kid and free.
besides crunches and running, are there any other physical things i should be doing to prepare myself if i decide to join? (i’m a bit outta shape!)
this was very helpful to me…. im 15 and im wanting to leave a mark on the corps,during my time in.
Great to hear I hope this stuff helps future recruits out. I like that you’re not just interested in finding out how to make boot camp “easy” (because it simply isn’t…for anybody), but that you want to leave a mark and excel. Preparing as best you can will help that.
I’m 15 too , I’m writing this over a year after you did so youre 16. I;m joining too and I’m attending a millitary academy for high school students over the summer and wanted some insight and this helped