Author: SgtGrit

Description of Recruit Training

Recruit Training

Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego is one of the birthplaces of basically trained Marines. It is here where America’s young men are transformed into Marines. We believe that Marines are forged in a furnace of shared hardship and tough training. This shared, intense experience creates bonds of comradeship and standards of conduct so strong that Marines will let nothing stand in their way. This belief will continue to be the basis upon which we make Marines. read more

How does one go about preparing mentally for Boot Camp?
Answer courtesy of Yucca-Man

Good question, but it’s difficult to answer without experiencing it. One of the things that will happen is that you are going to be on the move all the time. When you’re done with one training session, you’ll often double-time over to the next unless the Drill Instructor is prepping you for drill, in which case you’ll march. This serves not only to build cardio, but also ensures you get used to moving on a minutes notice.

Head games are going to be constant, and over the years they have been tailored to stressing the recruit. Some think that’s cruel, and feel that boot camp should be softer. I’m sure that as soon as our enemies decide to fight only on a 9-5 basis and give “stress reduction breaks” that our training will reflect that. read more

What are the Marine Corps MOS?

Try these links:
Enlisted MOS
Officer MOS

How do I become a Recon Marine?

Try these links:
http://www.forcerecon.com/reconfaq.htm
http://www.forcerecon.com/strongmenarmed.htm

What’s Infantry Training Like?

These are various answers we found on the web from other Marines:

“Line Company schedules vary at certain times. When your doing a work-up, Monday is the beginning with being trucked to the field, spending four days training, then being trucked (or heloed if your lucky) back to the barracks where you spend two hours cleaning gear and weapons. Then Friday is reserved for more weapons cleaning, as well as administration work, or classes on tactics. The weekends are usually free unless you pull duty. read more

I needed to tell you this

Dear Sgt Grit Well it was that time again when I said goodbye to my son, of the few, of the proud. Strangely it was harder this time than the last time. Last time I watched a boy go off to war and this time I saw a man climb onto that bus. The reality of it is that the 3/2 lost 14 brave, courageous men at the last deployment. I started a scholarship here in Tampa, Florida for Lance Corporal Eric W. Herzberg, 20 years old killed by a sniper in Al Anbar Province and a friend of my son’s. read more

When can I join Boot Camp?

• You can join at 17 with parental consent, you can join at 18 on your own. You must also graduate high school before you leave for boot camp.

What other skills would prepare me for Boot?

• It’s unanimous, learn how to do some basic sewing. Marines agree that this will REALLY come in handy.
• Figure out how to do laundry.
• Get in a “teamwork” mindset. Always be willing to help your buddy.

What score do I need on the ASVAB to qualify for my MOS?

Answer submitted by dnelson.

The Army converts the ASVAB subtest scores into five composite score areas, known as “line scores.” The line scores determine what job(s) an individual qualifies for. The ASVAB subtests are: General Science (GS); Arithmetic Reasoning (AR); Word Knowledge (WK); Paragraph Comprehension (PC); Numerical Operations (NO); Coding Speed (CS); Auto and Shop Information (AS); Mathematics Knowledge (MK); Mechanical Comprehension (MC); Electronics Information (EI); and Sum of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension (VE). read more

What are some good exercises to prepare for boot camp?

• Start running every day. In boot camp you’ll have to run on the streets, so best to stick with that. Do “pyramid pushups” or just “do pushups until you can’t feel your arms, then do it again, and again” (same with pull ups).
• The biggest thing is to run, run, and run some more!
• Need a pull-up bar? Get a 3″ pole from Home Depot, find some close tree branches, or go to a high school with them.
• Check out the following web sites for workout ideas:
  http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/shenandoah/Grunt/Bodyweight.html
  www.navyseal.s5.com
  www.teenbodybuilding.com/brent2.htm

What can I do for quicker muscle recovery?

• The overwhelming response from Marines is to drink plenty of water and get the muscles working again with a light workout the following day. Eating protein, going swimming, and hanging out in the sauna also help.

Is it unhealthy to run every day?

• Basically it’s not unhealthy to run every day as long as you’re in shape and have adjusted your body to the daily stress.
• Start out on soft surfaces for 4 months, increasing your mileage not more than 10% per week. This will help you to avoid shin splints and other injuries. Also be sure to stretch every day. Shin splints and stress fractures account for 70% of injuries in boot camp (though half of that is probably guys trying to get out of training)
• Once you’ve been running every day switch off between soft surfaces and concrete since you’ll be running on concrete in boot camp.
• Take it easy at first, stretch always, and quit smoking.

Why would I get goose bumps and start to feel numb after a tough workout? read more