Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Advice for my son in USMC Boot Camp

My son begins his third week in USMC Boot Camp at Camp Pendleton. I am writing his a letter and wanted to poll the collective wisdom from the people who have been through this experience. He left for Boot Camp in great physical condition (scoring 300 on his physical fitness test), but many of the challenges he still face are mental. Any advice? Thanks!

It's all what you make it.




Travis

And stay out of the med shed.




Travis

It really doesn't matter what you write, just write. Mail call is the one great time of day, IF you get mail.

By the way, my son started his second week at MCRD. Just write.

Keep your mouth shut and do exactly what you're told, when you're told to do it. It worked for me.

As someone once told me, 'Remember, as bad as it might seem, they can't eat you'

Do NOT send him snacks. And if he has a girl friend tell her NOT to send him perfumed letters. My oldest went through MCRD San Diego and he said that just creates problems for the recruit.

Although it is OK later to send power bars or whatever he asks for. They usually let them have them for the crucible, but he will let you know if it's OK. No singing cards either.

Remind him that the title of U.S. Marine would be worth less if it were easily come by. The physical part of Marine boot camp is easy. The mental and emotional part is what causes some to drop out.

To tell the truth
You are so overwhelmed while in boot camp
advice bounces off.
Tell him you are proud and send ALL the stuff that
will make it tougher on him, candy, snacks, perfumed letters
condoms etc etc.
You will laugh later and he will come home
"Harder than a 3 dollar whore"
Semper Fi

I can't add a thing to the list already up.

Wish him good luck and say "thank you, and we're proud of you" for many of us here and Americans (the real ones) all across this land.

+1. He is already getting all the "advice" he can handle.

Oh yeah, and in spades.

Yep. My son is in the corp; said the weekly letters from home really kept him going through boot camp. He was also in great shape, but like Kevin noted many challenges for the boots are mental and letters of encouragement from home do help!

Aside from the absence of vaginas, I really enjoyed bootcamp.



Travis

Yep. Told my son to enjoy it. You're only young once and bootcamp is a one time deal. Take the time to have fun doing what you want to do.

I thought it was a vacation.

Having someone else do ALL my thinking for me was too cool.

All I had to do was smile and push ups.

No question it is a mental game. My son served 5 years and his time at MCRD was the toughest by far even though he was in great physical condition.
The whole point is to break them down so they can build them back up as Marines.
As long as he stays tough, keeps his mouth shut, does what he is told, and keeps on coming, he will be fine.

If you can, go down to the graduation ceremony. It really is a great day and your son will be very happy you were there.

Bob

Don�t quit.

There's really nothing they can do to break you anyway. All they can do is make you do more exercises.




Travis