How to Join the Military and Survive Bootcamp
Talk to a military recruiter., Get all the benefits that the government is offering., Do not lie about drug use and criminal records., Prepare yourself for basic training, a.k.a boot camp., Demonstrate leadership qualities., Be motivated., Never...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Talk to a military recruiter.
A commonly held belief is that military recruiters will say and do anything to get your signature on the dotted line.
To a certain extent this is true, however, your recruiter can also be your best friend and will generally bend over backwards to help you.
If you are honest with them, they will play straight with you.
In the end, though, they are salesmen, and you should stay on your guard in the same way you would with a car salesman: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. -
Step 2: Get all the benefits that the government is offering.
There are many sign-on bonuses and guaranteed promotions that are available to you for enlisting.
While you should enlist out of a desire to serve your country and grow as an individual, you may do that and get a sign-on bonus.
Regardless of what your recruiter tells you, take the bonus.
They will give it to you.
If given an option between money and promotions, take the money.
A minor promotion from E1 to E2 is meaningless when you arrive at your first chain of command.
You will still be treated as low man on the totem pole, regardless of your rank.
Remember that one third of your bonus is going right back to the government in taxes.
If you can't get the guaranteed school that you want, don't sign anything.
Thank the recruiter and tell him to call you if a spot opens up, but in the meantime, you're going to see if another branch (i.e.
Navy) can offer a guaranteed school in your area of interest.
The recruiter will call you several times and encourage you back, but hold firm.
Before a month's time, they will guarantee your school or arrange to guarantee when a slot opens up. , The military will eventually find out if you do (urinalysis flushing drugs only last for a while, and eventually you will test positive).
As long as neither are excessive, you can usually get a waiver.
Do not, however, apply with drugs in your system.
If they are detected, you will be forced out and unable to re-apply.
Don't lie about an injury either, because you could suffer from it. (In the Air Force) , Boot camp turns your life upside down and can be very long (three months if enlisting in the Marine Corps), but a little preparation before starting can make your time there easier.
Exercise.
Run, do push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and crunches.
The more physically fit you are before arriving at basic training, the better off you'll be.
Not only will you need less time adjusting to the physical demands of basic training, but you'll make a good impression on your drill instructors.
Arriving at basic training overweight and lacking strength can make you a target for drill instructors, and in extreme cases, add time to your basic training.
You can't begin training until you meet military standards for weight and strength.
If you don't meet those standards, you will be put on a physical training routine until you do.
This means spending weeks or months more at basic training.
Study.
If you ask your recruiter, he/she will give you books that you can study from.
Knowing basic knowledge and military jargon before arriving at basic training can help you stand out from the crowd.
That can be a good thing.
The more you learn in a low-stress environment means you will have an easier time in the high-stress environment of boot camp.
Try to absorb as much on rank structures, equipment such as the M16, and the 11 General Orders if possible—it will pay off later.
Practice basic training routines.
Speed and motivation are everything in boot camp.
Drill instructors will constantly test your ability to do things quickly and without hesitation.
While at home, fill a laundry basket with 6 pairs of socks, 6 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, two notepads, all your hygiene gear, a couple of books, and two pairs of shoes.
As quickly as you can, dump everything out of the laundry basket onto the floor and mix it up a bit by kicking it around a little.
Now stack everything on your bed in a neat fashion.
That means having the clothes folded, the hygiene gear aligned in a neat way, your books and notebooks stacked neatly, and your shoes sitting next to each other with the laces tucked in.
Do this repeatedly until you can do it in under 15 seconds.
You'll have a similar "test" in basic training, and you won't be given as much as 15 seconds to complete the task, but it's a good start.
Start sitting on the floor now with your legs crossed.
Most of the time when you're sitting down in basic training, you'll be doing it "Indian style".
While it doesn't sound difficult, it becomes hard when doing it for many hours each day.
Practice sitting with your legs crossed, your back straight, and your hands on each knee.
You'll have to do this without moving a muscle for long periods of time while in basic training.
It gets easier with time, so it's a great benefit to get used to it before arriving.
Learn to swim.
If you can't swim when arriving at boot camp, then you're going to have a real hard time when it comes time for swim qualifications.
This is true for the Navy and Marine Corps, but not as much for the Army.
An inability to swim can set you back in training and extend the time you spend in basic training. , Immediately, your drill instructors will be looking for the leaders in the group.
You want that to be you.
When you arrive, speak loudly, do the things you're told to do with speed and without hesitation, even if it makes no sense (and few things will).
Speak to your fellow recruits you see doing things they're not supposed to, because if you don't, and you're their leader, you get punished too.
Stand up straight, chin high, and don't be lazy.
All these things will help you stand out from the crowd.
While it's important to be a leader in boot camp, don't alienate yourself from your fellow recruits.
Having friends and buddies watching your back is very valuable during your training.
Try to balance being a good leader with being a good friend.
People who position themselves as jerks and outsiders will get no help from fellow recruits. , It's all too important in basic training.
Anytime you are responding to a drill instructor, do it with confidence and do it loudly.
Get right to the point when speaking, don't stutter or stumble over your words.
When "sounding off" as a group, try to be the loudest.
If you are being lazy when sounding off, your drill instructors will notice and punish the whole group.
Your fellow recruits will know the people who are not being loud and causing punishment.
This will cause contempt amongst those people who you want to be your friends. , In fact, in some boot camps, the words "I" and "you" don't exist.
It's "this recruit" or "Recruit (last name)" or "Drill Instructor Sergeant Myers".
Drill Instructors will ask you why you made a particular mistake, why you looked them in the eye, or whatever minor error you have made.
Always say something straightforward, such as "I lack discipline" or "I lack focus".
They may make you do a few pushups, but they will cut you some slack because you're not trying to make excuses. , Teamwork is essential, because if the group fails, the group will get punished, regardless if it is only one man bringing you down.
Likewise, help out the recruits that are struggling—they may be helping you out when you struggle later.
Don't get angry at them for failing as long as they tried their best (and don't let the drill instructors pit recruits against each other).
If you have a problem with someone, talk to them after lights out. , Many "tests" that you are put through in basic training are designed so that they're impossible to pass.
Don't get frustrated when you fail.
It's meant to happen.
The drill instructors will initially make tasks so difficult that they are impossible to complete.
With time, the task will become easy for you.
That's the whole point.
They will break you down and build you back up with more confidence then you ever had before.
Just go with it. , There are times when you may not understand the instructions given, or you may not have been paying attention.
If you see everyone else moving to do something and you didn't hear what you're supposed to be doing, just follow everyone else's lead. -
Step 3: Do not lie about drug use and criminal records.
-
Step 4: Prepare yourself for basic training
-
Step 5: a.k.a boot camp.
-
Step 6: Demonstrate leadership qualities.
-
Step 7: Be motivated.
-
Step 8: Never make excuses or say "I don't know."
-
Step 9: Learn to cooperate with people that you might not like
-
Step 10: and may not like you in return.
-
Step 11: Keep your cool.
-
Step 12: When in doubt
-
Step 13: do what everyone else is doing.
Detailed Guide
A commonly held belief is that military recruiters will say and do anything to get your signature on the dotted line.
To a certain extent this is true, however, your recruiter can also be your best friend and will generally bend over backwards to help you.
If you are honest with them, they will play straight with you.
In the end, though, they are salesmen, and you should stay on your guard in the same way you would with a car salesman: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
There are many sign-on bonuses and guaranteed promotions that are available to you for enlisting.
While you should enlist out of a desire to serve your country and grow as an individual, you may do that and get a sign-on bonus.
Regardless of what your recruiter tells you, take the bonus.
They will give it to you.
If given an option between money and promotions, take the money.
A minor promotion from E1 to E2 is meaningless when you arrive at your first chain of command.
You will still be treated as low man on the totem pole, regardless of your rank.
Remember that one third of your bonus is going right back to the government in taxes.
If you can't get the guaranteed school that you want, don't sign anything.
Thank the recruiter and tell him to call you if a spot opens up, but in the meantime, you're going to see if another branch (i.e.
Navy) can offer a guaranteed school in your area of interest.
The recruiter will call you several times and encourage you back, but hold firm.
Before a month's time, they will guarantee your school or arrange to guarantee when a slot opens up. , The military will eventually find out if you do (urinalysis flushing drugs only last for a while, and eventually you will test positive).
As long as neither are excessive, you can usually get a waiver.
Do not, however, apply with drugs in your system.
If they are detected, you will be forced out and unable to re-apply.
Don't lie about an injury either, because you could suffer from it. (In the Air Force) , Boot camp turns your life upside down and can be very long (three months if enlisting in the Marine Corps), but a little preparation before starting can make your time there easier.
Exercise.
Run, do push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and crunches.
The more physically fit you are before arriving at basic training, the better off you'll be.
Not only will you need less time adjusting to the physical demands of basic training, but you'll make a good impression on your drill instructors.
Arriving at basic training overweight and lacking strength can make you a target for drill instructors, and in extreme cases, add time to your basic training.
You can't begin training until you meet military standards for weight and strength.
If you don't meet those standards, you will be put on a physical training routine until you do.
This means spending weeks or months more at basic training.
Study.
If you ask your recruiter, he/she will give you books that you can study from.
Knowing basic knowledge and military jargon before arriving at basic training can help you stand out from the crowd.
That can be a good thing.
The more you learn in a low-stress environment means you will have an easier time in the high-stress environment of boot camp.
Try to absorb as much on rank structures, equipment such as the M16, and the 11 General Orders if possible—it will pay off later.
Practice basic training routines.
Speed and motivation are everything in boot camp.
Drill instructors will constantly test your ability to do things quickly and without hesitation.
While at home, fill a laundry basket with 6 pairs of socks, 6 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, two notepads, all your hygiene gear, a couple of books, and two pairs of shoes.
As quickly as you can, dump everything out of the laundry basket onto the floor and mix it up a bit by kicking it around a little.
Now stack everything on your bed in a neat fashion.
That means having the clothes folded, the hygiene gear aligned in a neat way, your books and notebooks stacked neatly, and your shoes sitting next to each other with the laces tucked in.
Do this repeatedly until you can do it in under 15 seconds.
You'll have a similar "test" in basic training, and you won't be given as much as 15 seconds to complete the task, but it's a good start.
Start sitting on the floor now with your legs crossed.
Most of the time when you're sitting down in basic training, you'll be doing it "Indian style".
While it doesn't sound difficult, it becomes hard when doing it for many hours each day.
Practice sitting with your legs crossed, your back straight, and your hands on each knee.
You'll have to do this without moving a muscle for long periods of time while in basic training.
It gets easier with time, so it's a great benefit to get used to it before arriving.
Learn to swim.
If you can't swim when arriving at boot camp, then you're going to have a real hard time when it comes time for swim qualifications.
This is true for the Navy and Marine Corps, but not as much for the Army.
An inability to swim can set you back in training and extend the time you spend in basic training. , Immediately, your drill instructors will be looking for the leaders in the group.
You want that to be you.
When you arrive, speak loudly, do the things you're told to do with speed and without hesitation, even if it makes no sense (and few things will).
Speak to your fellow recruits you see doing things they're not supposed to, because if you don't, and you're their leader, you get punished too.
Stand up straight, chin high, and don't be lazy.
All these things will help you stand out from the crowd.
While it's important to be a leader in boot camp, don't alienate yourself from your fellow recruits.
Having friends and buddies watching your back is very valuable during your training.
Try to balance being a good leader with being a good friend.
People who position themselves as jerks and outsiders will get no help from fellow recruits. , It's all too important in basic training.
Anytime you are responding to a drill instructor, do it with confidence and do it loudly.
Get right to the point when speaking, don't stutter or stumble over your words.
When "sounding off" as a group, try to be the loudest.
If you are being lazy when sounding off, your drill instructors will notice and punish the whole group.
Your fellow recruits will know the people who are not being loud and causing punishment.
This will cause contempt amongst those people who you want to be your friends. , In fact, in some boot camps, the words "I" and "you" don't exist.
It's "this recruit" or "Recruit (last name)" or "Drill Instructor Sergeant Myers".
Drill Instructors will ask you why you made a particular mistake, why you looked them in the eye, or whatever minor error you have made.
Always say something straightforward, such as "I lack discipline" or "I lack focus".
They may make you do a few pushups, but they will cut you some slack because you're not trying to make excuses. , Teamwork is essential, because if the group fails, the group will get punished, regardless if it is only one man bringing you down.
Likewise, help out the recruits that are struggling—they may be helping you out when you struggle later.
Don't get angry at them for failing as long as they tried their best (and don't let the drill instructors pit recruits against each other).
If you have a problem with someone, talk to them after lights out. , Many "tests" that you are put through in basic training are designed so that they're impossible to pass.
Don't get frustrated when you fail.
It's meant to happen.
The drill instructors will initially make tasks so difficult that they are impossible to complete.
With time, the task will become easy for you.
That's the whole point.
They will break you down and build you back up with more confidence then you ever had before.
Just go with it. , There are times when you may not understand the instructions given, or you may not have been paying attention.
If you see everyone else moving to do something and you didn't hear what you're supposed to be doing, just follow everyone else's lead.
About the Author
Catherine Hughes
Experienced content creator specializing in home improvement guides and tutorials.
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