Iam joining the u.s. marines

[xmurderx 0]

so Ive decided to sign 4 years of my life to the marines, any hints or tips from former marines out there?

[theavonlady 2]

Don't wear pink.

[Guest]

Duck!

[Winters 1]

Join the reserves and after Boot Camp if you like it you can always go full time. if you join up full time and don't like it you can't say "hey wait, how about i just go to the reserves"

Just a tip for you and anyone else thinking of joining the service.

[E6Hotel 0]

This is the best online guide I've seen.  In addition:

1)  If you're not on a regular running program, start one.  The better condition you're in when you go to boot camp, the easier it will be.

2)  If you smoke, stop.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

Good luck, and Semper Fi

[CSO_brent 0]

Hell E6hotel, thats good advice for any of us

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (E6Hotel @ Mar. 27 2003,16:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">1)  If you're not on a regular running program, start one.  The better condition you're in when you go to boot camp, the easier it will be.

2)  If you smoke, stop.<span id='postcolor'>

I'd like to dispute number two. Smoking while in training is one of the better ways of building up a stamina. The nicotine binds to the oxygen molecules (actually it binds to the hemoglobine molecules that would bind O2, but never mind) forcing your system to work with less O2. It's the same principle that pro runners and skiiers use when they train at high altitudes.

So my advice is to smoke before running. It will be tough as hell in the begnining, but you'll build up an excellent stamina.

[Tex -USMC- 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ Mar. 27 2003,17:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">So my advice is to smoke before running. It will be tough as hell in the begnining, but you'll build up an excellent stamina.<span id='postcolor'>

That way you'll be in outstanding shape right up until you're diagnosed with lung cancer

[bn880 5]

Excuse Denoir, he's in a kind of Foreign Legion mood today. But I think it's true, if you don't care about the toll smoking takes on you, try training with it.

[Die Alive 0]

And if you smoke enough, you can get a cool looking hole in your throat that you can breath and smoke from!

HOW COOL IS THAT!

-=Die Alive=-

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Tex [uSMC] @ Mar. 27 2003,17:02)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">0--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ Mar. 27 2003,170)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">So my advice is to smoke before running. It will be tough as hell in the begnining, but you'll build up an excellent stamina.<span id='postcolor'>

That way you'll be in outstanding shape right up until you're diagnosed with lung cancer  <span id='postcolor'>

Bleh. The kids of today.... lung cancer... I bet you are a vegetarian too...

If you only knew the Power of Nicotine!

[Winters 1]

Smoking is a privledge that must be earned first, so if you are a smoker i highly recommend stopping now before you are forced to stop in boot. You will already have plenty of stress to deal with, no need in compounding that with the stress you will get from nicotine withdrawals.

[PFC Mongoose 0]

IIRC, the most demanding of the 'regular services' in the United States Armed Forces. Good luck!!

I've been considering joining the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves for a while now, but since I've been living on my own, I've lost a lot of weight, and I don't run much anymore (though I used to cycle 30+ km almost every day. )

Well, I still have all the forms; if you join the Marines, maybe I'll try and get back into shape and join the Reserves.

But I agree with Winters, maybe you should join the Reserves first....

[E6Hotel 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ Mar. 27 2003,1700)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (E6Hotel @ Mar. 27 2003,16:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">1)  If you're not on a regular running program, start one.  The better condition you're in when you go to boot camp, the easier it will be.

2)  If you smoke, stop.<span id='postcolor'>

I'd like to dispute number two. Smoking while in training is one of the better ways of building up a stamina.  The nicotine binds to the oxygen molecules (actually it binds to the hemoglobine molecules that would bind O2, but never mind) forcing your system to work with less O2. It's the same principle that pro runners and skiiers use when they train at high altitudes.

So my advice is to smoke before running. It will be tough as hell in the begnining, but you'll build up an excellent stamina.<span id='postcolor'>

Tobacco is forbidden in boot camp.

Quitting before going => No "jonesing" => One less distraction.

For a more challenging workout, run uphill or on loose sand.

Semper Fi

[Mister Frag 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ Mar. 27 2003,08:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">So my advice is to smoke before running. It will be tough as hell in the begnining, but you'll build up an excellent stamina.<span id='postcolor'>

Which is why all of the world's top athletes follow this super-secret training regimen -- NOT!

I'm a bit of a runner myself, I run marathons. Why do I rarely meet runners that smoke? Because smoking takes away the aerobic capacity (not to mention the other damage that it does), and you can't simply not smoke before a race to get the nicotine out of your system and your lung capacity back and thus gain an advantage over the other runners.

[ralphwiggum 6]

i guess you finally decided to join an US service branch.

if you don't know how to handle a gun, goto near by shooting range and get some lessons. might save ya some little problem if any.

[E6Hotel 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RalphWiggum @ Mar. 27 2003,18:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">if you don't know how to handle a gun, goto near by shooting range and get some lessons. might save ya some little problem if any.<span id='postcolor'>

Ummm, I'd strongly suggest not doing that.  Too many kids join the Corps thinking they know how to shoot.

1)  Forget anything you think you might know about shooting.

2)  Apply what the Primary Marksmanship Instructors tell you and you will shoot expert.

Semper Fi

[theavonlady 2]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (E6Hotel @ Mar. 27 2003,19:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ummm, I'd strongly suggest not doing that.  Too many kids join the Corps thinking they know how to shoot.

1)  Forget anything you think you might know about shooting.

2)  Apply what the Primary Marksmanship Instructors tell you and you will shoot expert.<span id='postcolor'>

Oh, so you can plays America's Army first.

[ralphwiggum 6]

AA, to USMC, is like a crap

e6hotel, my message was that he get rid of all the hollywood crap that has nothing but unsafe firearms handling. i should have been more thorough and said he should look into firearms safety, not Rambo/Segal - ish handling.

[xmurderx 0]

I dont smoke, but I dont run, I will (till I have to goto boot camp) run every morning to condition myself. I just finished signing all my papers and Iam about to go take the asvab. Iam going full active, me and a freind are doing the buddy program. any more advice? (other than dont smoke )

[theavonlady 2]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RalphWiggum @ Mar. 27 2003,20:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">AA, to USMC, is like a crap <span id='postcolor'>

I forgot that the USMC is an OFP shop.

[Winters 1]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (E6Hotel @ Mar. 27 2003,18:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RalphWiggum @ Mar. 27 2003,18:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">if you don't know how to handle a gun, goto near by shooting range and get some lessons. might save ya some little problem if any.<span id='postcolor'>

Ummm, I'd strongly suggest not doing that.  Too many kids join the Corps thinking they know how to shoot.

1)  Forget anything you think you might know about shooting.

2)  Apply what the Primary Marksmanship Instructors tell you and you will shoot expert.

Semper Fi<span id='postcolor'>

E6Hotel is 100% right,

I never handled a firearm at all until i went in the service, i listened intently on what the instructors had to say and ended up zeroing my weapon in only 6 shots. My Drill Sargeant asked me if i have ever fired a weapon and when i said no he said "that figures, fucking naturals"

I went on the qualify Expert in every weapon i was able to qualify with.

So long story short (too late) forget what you think you know, disregard what you see on TV or in the Movies and Listen up when your instructors speak and you will be fine.

[E6Hotel 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (xmurderx @ Mar. 27 2003,19:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">any more advice? (other than dont smoke )<span id='postcolor'>

1)  Join Navy Federal Credit Union at your first opportunity.  In a similar vein, consider USAA for your insurance.

2)  There is a strip club outside Camp Lejeune called "Toby's."  Avoid it at all costs, as the dancers are gruesome.

3)  Buy Creighton khaki shirts after you graduate boot camp.  The issued stuff is garbage.

4)  Don't go out and buy a honkin' huge combat knife.  The Corps will issue you one if needed.  A Leatherman or Gerber tool, however, is invaluable.  Spydercos are nice, too.

5)  In the field, beef jerky and sunflower seeds are your friends.

6)  Think long and hard before you get a big ol' bulldog tattooed across your chest.

Semper Fi

[hellfish6 7]

0--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ Mar. 27 2003,100)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (E6Hotel @ Mar. 27 2003,16:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">1)  If you're not on a regular running program, start one.  The better condition you're in when you go to boot camp, the easier it will be.

2)  If you smoke, stop.<span id='postcolor'>

I'd like to dispute number two. Smoking while in training is one of the better ways of building up a stamina.  The nicotine binds to the oxygen molecules (actually it binds to the hemoglobine molecules that would bind O2, but never mind) forcing your system to work with less O2. It's the same principle that pro runners and skiiers use when they train at high altitudes.

So my advice is to smoke before running. It will be tough as hell in the begnining, but you'll build up an excellent stamina.<span id='postcolor'>

LOL... I knew people that would smoke while running. And all the smokers would swear up and down that smoking before running made it easier because the smoke made their lungs scream for air, allowing more oxygen into the system.

I still don't believe it, though.  

Also, some gems from my boot camp days:

1. If the worst should happen and you don't think the military is right for you, do NOT go AWOL. It's not worth it. You won't get home any earlier and you will be caught. If you stick it out, I promise you it will get better. And always remember, actual military service is nothing like Boot Camp - it is just like a regular 9 to 5 job most of the time. I knew many guys who hated the Army more than anything in the world. They all served out their terms and were better off for it.

2. Do not make yourself noticeable. Even for good things. Best way to know you did good in boot camp is when you say goodbye to your DI at the end of it all and he asks "Who the hell are you?".

3. Volunteer. My best times in the military were times I volunteered. You get privileges, access to things you wouldn't otherwise and you become more valuable to your superiors. Just make sure you know what you're volunteering for.

4. Related to the above, if you get a chance to go somewhere, go there. You won't get another opportunity.

5. Learn as much as you can. Take classes, correspondence courses, etc.

6. Learn to run long distance. Go hiking with heavy packs - ruck marching is what killed me in basic. I just wasn't used to walking 20 miles every other week (during infantry school) with 80 pounds on my back. If you do this ahead of time, your legs will be stronger, you back stronger and you'll know how to take care of your feet.

[hellfish6 7]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Winters @ Mar. 27 2003,12:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I never handled a firearm at all until i went in the service, i listened intently on what the instructors had to say and ended up zeroing my weapon in only 6 shots. My Drill Sargeant asked me if i have ever fired a weapon and when i said no he said "that figures, fucking naturals"

I went on the qualify Expert in every weapon i was able to qualify with.<span id='postcolor'>

Oddly enough, I was never able to zero my M-16 to standard in all six years of my service. I always shot sharpshooter with it, though. I qualified expert with everything else, but I never got the hang of the M-16.