Im headin off to boot camp on sept. 16. Gonna Be a Marine

Congrats! The military is a great life!

Words of wisdom...

1) Never give less than 100%. Those that exceed standards are rewarded well- almost always through promotion.

2) Lead don't follow. Do not be afraid to make decision. However, in order to be a good leader you must be a good follower.
Set the example!

3) Take advantage of everything the Corps offers you- EVERYTHING!

4) Invest (or save) now while you're young!

My list is inconclusive... It is best that you learn on your own because the Corps will teach you the rest!

Downriggin'
Go Navy!

Thank God for brave young men like you fishmaster2003. Your courage and conviction restores some of my faith in our generation and I praise you for it!
I would like to add my advice to DR's post and say that I wish I would have spent more time exploring the world. I spent time in different parts of Japan, the PI, and Thailand during my APAC tour but am ashamed that I spent more time goofing off than learning from the rich cultures and histories of those fascinating places. Like DR said, take advantage of EVERY opportunity the Corp offers you. You may never have those opportunities again. Serving the greatest nation on God's green earth is an honor you will carry with you forever. Serve her proud and serve her with the bravery and honor that preceeds you and you'll feel the hearts of millions of us red-blooded americans behind you.

-lobo

Have fun down at MCRD Cali.... Been there done that, Let me give you one BIG piece of advice. ITS all a mental game.....Better yet, you got mail.


SEMPER FI

Demon

Good job, we need more good Americans like yourself willing to serve this country. It will make you a better person and you are doing something you will be proud of for the rest of your life.

Just remember, when you are tired, roasting hot and absolutely miserable, remember there are hundreds of others there with you and they are just as miserable as you are. Get in shape a good luck. P.S.- and the D.I.'s really can't kill you and really don't ahte you.

Good job, we need more good Americans like yourself willing to serve this country. It will make you a better person and you are doing something you will be proud of for the rest of your life.

Just remember, when you are tired, roasting hot and absolutely miserable, remember there are hundreds of others there with you and they are just as miserable as you are. Get in shape a good luck. P.S.- and the D.I.'s really can't kill you and really don't ahte you.

I was a Combat Engineer, Went to boot camp back in Jan of 97 at MCRD was one of the first company's to do the crucible.

I wont lie Marine Boot Camp isnt easy its down right the hardest thing you will ever do in your life. But it will be the one accomplishment you are most proud of for the rest of your life.

You will bleed, sweat and shed tears of pain and anguish. And when you are at the end ,when your drill instructors put that Eagle Globe and Anchor in your hand and they call you a Marine and you will know you have earned it you will shed tears of joy.

When you earn it you will truely know and understand why the Marines are the few and proud. You will be a part of a brotherhood and in the most respected and feared military orginizatrion in the world and you will understand why that is so.

Cheers Fishmaster....
What a nice round of advice from these guys.
Good luck......and post a note now and then.
We'll be thinking of ya!

My Grandfather and many other relatives were marines and fought in the South Pacific ,Korea and Vietnam. I joined the Army, went 101st airborne. My Grandfather who was a marine D.I. was furious, but he forgave me anyways make the best of it, they will make you a man and all of us will be proud of you for doing it and protecting our asses.
Peace Superfly

All great advice. I spent 4yrs in the USAF. My advice-

TAKE THE GI BILL!

Do NOT get married in your first or second hitch!

Don't screw off! Study hard, become as ate up as you can. Don't drink and drive, don't do drugs(it is there more than you would think!) and don't fall in love!

You will make mistakes. Take responsibility for them. Nobody likes or respects a puss who blames others. Take the risk to make a decision and take responsibility for the outcome.

Do your job as hard and as well as you can when you are on duty. I looked at my day as I get paid to be here, no how crappy a job is that day tommorrow it won't matter. You senior NCO's will respect you more for being a hard worker and will give you the jobs that they need done right.

Save your money. Invest while you are young. Buy bonds, mutual funds, anything and keep at it.

If you are already married, get your wife involved. Don't let her feel like she is on the outside. The corps will take care of her too if she lets them!

Most of all, ALWAYS BE PROUD TO BE A UNITED STATES MARINE! You will run into situations where civilians DO NOT LIKE YOU for no other reason than you are a soldier and have a secure future. Don't let anyone make you ashamed of who or what you are.

Boot camp- it is all a mind game. It will be tough physically, and mentally. They need to weed out the physically and mentally unfit. Realize that your DI's do not hate you, are probably all athiests, and will try to break you down. You may hate their guts while it is going on, but when you graduate you will find out that they all of a sudden are pretty cool guys and it is all a game.

Most, and I say most of all, make us proud! If I were smart and stayed single and enlisted, I would now have 18 years and be a CMSGT by now and retired in two years fishing everyday! Time flys my friend, before you know it the decisions you make in the next few years will be affecting your life. Make the best of it and plan for your future. Most guys in the military think they are still in high school and don't care about tomorrow. Make a point to care!

Make friends fast.. whenever someone loudly passes gas in formation, simply ask: Captain Who? Seriously, though, you are doing yourself one of the best things a young man can do, even if it does'nt seem like it when the DI's are screaming at you with the veins in their necks popping out. I wish you well, and wish MY kids had the intestinal fortitude to do what you're doing.

fishmaster - congrats on your decision to join the hardest charging of the Services...

I was Landing Support Specialist who went through MCRD San Diego back in '92 - a lot has changed since then...

I totally agree with Rich G...make the best of every opportunity! Do yourself proud...there is a lot of brotherhood and pride associated with being a Devil Dog - think twice before you do something that would shame our Corps or our country...it may be the most rewarding endeavour of your life!

only other thoughtI could leave you with is to take the Boot Camp thing one day at a time...next thing you know, you'll have that Eagle, Globe, and Anchor in your hands and finally be a Marine.

SEMPER FIDELIS - take care of yourself

I too thank you in advance, we should all give some. I did my time back in 1986
82 nd airborne division, nuclear, biological, and chemical specialist. You will probably hate a lot of your time in the service, but (I know this sounds corny) you will later look back with pride, and fond memories.

here are my four things to not do while in the service.

1. don't become an alcoholic

2. don't start smoking cigarettes

3. don't get a tatoo, when your drunk.

4. don't do it with out a condom.

Fishmaster2003,

Demon Spey hit it right on the head! It is a Total Mind thing! But don't get me wrong.. it's going to be the most physical & mentally challanging thing you have probably done in your life so far.. But as RICH G explained the rewards for completing your task ahead is an accoplishment that very few have ever and will ever achieved.... You'll understand this alot better when you complete this task. I'm proud of you son! Good Luck!!


Semper Fi,
Mavrick
MCRD 87'

Congratulations on a top notch decision… The Marine Corps will change you life in many ways, almost all will make you a better, stronger man.

I will give my one piece of advice, having been a proud Marine since 1989. Boot camp is designed to teach you three things, first to wear the uniform proudly by sacrificing some of yourself and learning the longstanding traditions of the Marine Corps; second, it teaches you to follow orders, precisely, selflessly, and in group cohesion, and lastly, they teach you the basic skills that you will need to survive on a battle field. Pay particularly close attention to the last one.

Good luck, and remember that all those seemingly crazy things that go on down there, go on for a reason.


Semper Fi

Congratulations on a top notch decision… The Marine Corps will change you life in many ways, almost all will make you a better, stronger man.

I will give my one piece of advice, having been a proud Marine since 1989. Boot camp is designed to teach you three things, first to wear the uniform proudly by sacrificing some of yourself and learning the longstanding traditions of the Marine Corps; second, it teaches you to follow orders, precisely, selflessly, and in group cohesion, and lastly, they teach you the basic skills that you will need to survive on a battle field. Pay particularly close attention to the last one.

Good luck, and remember that all those seemingly crazy things that go on down there, go on for a reason.


Semper Fi

Thanks for your decision to defend us

Congratulations! You will know what it is to be proud and confident. The best to you!

I did my Army time back in 65-68, and have two sons in the service now.

What you have chosen to do, does all Americans proud.

Well you got a lot of advice above my post and it covered alot of what I was going to say. I did my 13 weeks in MCRD is dec 87 and stayed for 8 years. The boot camp thing is all a head game but in a good way. if they are really getting to you just humm BUT NOT OUT LOUD. I spent most of boot camp pushing for laughing and smilling (and humming). boot camp is to see who can and can't take the pressure. after boot save your money becouse there will be little of it. Take advantage of the education system on base. You will have to activley pursue it but it is there. sign up for the g.i bill. The gibill that I paid 1200 dollars in to is now paying me 900 a month to go to college at 36 years old. do not get married untill you make e-5 at lest. Why becouse you can not afford it below that. the devorce rate in the corps is around 85% .
Well I noticed some thing about this board that I have notice on all good board and in all good groups of working men. this board is 65% ex-military. mostly jar-heads. every job I have gotten since leaving the corps has been in part becouse I was a marine. some of the best people on the jobs I have worked are ex-marines or army,navy,air force. why becouse we know what its like to work and get the job done. My last boss told me that the differance between ex-marines and civilians is marine ***** and complain louder but get the job done right and on time.civilians just *****.

Tom Elliott U.S.M.C.
p.s. do not die for your country, make the other asshole die for his.

Thanks to all for the support and tips on how to survive. Its gonna be hell, but once Im through Im going to be damn proud of myself and be a better, stronger person in the end. And most of all I want to serve our great country, (and kick a lil bit of ass along the way)
thanks guys

Good Job, all the advice you've seen is great. I spent 6 years in the Navy, the only way a poor white boy from White Center could get a decent career start. I'd like to see the Military mandatory for young men in this country. I think it would cut down on a lot of the disrespect of life you see in our younger generations. I also think that people protesting war today should have to face their dead grandparents who fought in World War II. What a disgrace. Will we remain a Super Power by rolling over?