Thanks to Anna for this section!!
*Note* Training schedules are subject to change. The rearrange the structure of boot camp
every so often, to try to find the most effective schedule for training. But this will give you a pretty
good idea what to expect.
Life as a Recruit…
Many wives and girlfriends wonder what life is like for a recruit. Most recruiters will do an
excellent job of describing the day to day life during the 13 weeks a Marine spends at MCRD.
However, this does little to prepare someone for dealing with the ups and downs that happen
during this time apart – especially in the eyes of someone that’s not there.
The First Few Days…
Any Marine will tell you that there is a huge amount of fear before they arrive on the yellow
footprints. They don’t know what to expect. Before your recruit leaves, give him/her a wonderful
sendoff. Have a party (no drugs, either), be with friends and enjoy. The next few months are
going to be the most challenging of his/her life, so they need to go into it with the least amount
of stress and the most amount of confidence. That’s your job – support and become you’re
recruits lifeline to the real world.
When your recruit leaves, make sure they take only what they are told to take. While they can
take pictures of their family and friends, make sure they’re tasteful (no pornography so keep
your clothes on, please). Do not take gum, candy, cigarettes, drugs, or medicine (unless
prescribed by a physician and your recruiter knows you’re taking them). Essentially, all they
need is the clothes on his/her back and whatever else the recruiter recommends. If it’s
something the recruit values or treasures, don’t bring it. It may end up in the trashcan.
The first few days at MCRD are spent receiving. Most recruits arrive in the middle of the night
and the movies you’ve seen where recruits run to the yellow footprints with DIs yelling at them is
no joke. The next 72 hours are going to create a feeling of complete disorientation. Receiving is
designed to shock the recruit into transition away from civilian life. It’s filled with sleep
depravation, considerable shuffling from here to there, hours of waiting and wondering, and
pangs of homesickness. Your recruit will go through mounds of paperwork, be asked if they
were coerced into joining or lied to their recruiters (called “The Moment of Truth”), take a
urinalysis and have blood drawn, and begin indoctrination into the Marine Corps.
During these first few days, you may hear from your recruit only one time – a quick call home to
let you know that he/she arrived safely. Don’t worry, however. The Corps has been training
people for 200+ years and has it down to a fine art. This will most likely be the last phone call for
many months so breath deep – the fun is just starting.
First Phase
Boot camp consists of three phases and most Marines will tell you that Phase I was the
longest. During this phase, the recruit is being broken down. Their civilian ways are being driven
out by strict discipline and order at the hands of well trained Drill Instructors (DI). Life for a recruit
is extremely regimented. The platoons and companies are formed, and the platoon moves into
their assigned barracks. The barracks are pretty much the same as in the movies – rows of
double beds (called racks), and a squad bay stuffed with 80+ people. They have adequate
shower facilities but limited (if any), privacy.
Life for the first four weeks is going to be a life of repetition. The recruits will be getting up at the
same time every morning, going to bed at the same time, doing hours of physical training (PT),
marching back and forth across the grinder (close order drill), and sitting in classrooms
learning general military education. The idea is to form a cohesive unit – a platoon that thinks as
one and acts as one, with an understanding of their place as Marines.
Your recruit is going to have plenty of things going through his/her head. The average recruit is
terrified of everything – being dropped, not doing well, and even getting up tomorrow morning…
This is the phase where one usually wonders “why in the heck did I do this?” Most platoons see
their first drops during this phase as many decide they just can’t do it.
Communication from your recruit is going to be limited. There are no phone calls in boot camp
unless it’s an emergency so don’t get angry. While each recruit has a period during the evening
(and on Sundays) to sit and write letters home, many use their free time to study and prepare for
upcoming activities. The recruit may polish shoes, shine brass, read or press uniforms. You
may not get a letter for the first few weeks, but don’t be discouraged. This is a time of
adjustment and most recruits are scared of their own shadow. They don’t want to fail and they
feel as though they need to spend every waking moment preparing to make their drill instructors
happy. The DIs will remind them to write home, but sometimes, they’re just overwhelmed and
don’t.
Should you write? Oh yes – daily if possible. The best time for any recruit is mail call –
especially when their name is called. In your letters, make sure you tell your recruit how proud
you are of them. Tell them good things – keep the letters upbeat and don’t complain or whine
about your situation. You can tell them you miss them, but don’t go out of your way to make them
miserable or feel guilty. Trust me – they’re miserable enough at the hand of the DIs. If you’re
tempted to send things, don’t. No naughty pictures, no food (called pogie bait), no perfume on
the envelope. Don’t send anything in the mail that will embarrass or cause your recruit shame.
No cutsie flowers or kisses on the envelopes, either. Drill instructors love that type of stuff and
the last thing a recruit wants to do is bring attention to themselves.
And also, don’t be worried about the letters you do get from your recruit. Most first phase recruits
wish they were anyplace but at MCRD. They’re going to tell you they hate it, they are having
nightmares, they think their drill instructors are the biggest idiots in the world and that the
platoon is a disaster. They’ll tell you that they screwed up in their decision to join and that they
want to come home. While the letter may sound like a disaster, most every recruit writes at least
one “I hate life,” letter. It will get better – promise.
Second Phase
Second phase is more of the fun of first phase, but also filled with greater amounts of physical
activity. The recruit is going to learn about weapons, spend time out in the in the field and learn
what it means to be “gungy”. It’s an exciting time because you’re starting to work together as a
unit – the platoon is “coming together,” as the drill instructors like to say.
The highlight for most recruits is the trip to the rifle range to shoot an M16A2 rifle. Since the
recruit started First Phase, they’ve carried this weapon around and slept with it at the foot of their
rack. Do you think recruits have time for romantic liaisons during boot camp? Yeah – but only
with their weapon! During second phase, the recruit actually gets to use this piece of gear. If at
MCRD PI, the platoon will march out to Weapons Training Battalion. If at MCRD SD, it’s a bus
trip to Camp Pendleton. For the next two weeks, the recruit will go through grass week (snap in),
followed by a week of actual shooting.
This two week time is a period of high stress and attempts at besting each other. Everyone
wants to wear a coveted Expert Marksmanship badge, and the more a platoon has, the happier
the drill instructors. Happy Drill Instructors mean happy recruits which means less digging
(physical training to correct bad behavior). The last Friday of the week is Qual Day and the day
all recruits dread. This is the day that a recruit must qualify with the rifle and a day of stress
beyond anything they've ever felt. Throughout the rest of a Marine’s career, they will learn to love,
hate and respect qual day as they must go through it every year.
After the time at the range, it’s off to the field. Your recruit will go without a shower for days, learn
to hate/love the gas chamber, jump off the rappelling tower, fight mock battles, go through
martial arts training and learn tactics and map orientation. This is usually the most fun recruits
will have as they are starting to see themselves as Marines and are now fully engaged as a unit.
It’s also when they’ll learn to depend and rely on their fellow recruits for success.
Again, you may not hear from your recruit as often as you’d like. One thing recruits don’t have is
down time or free time. Every waking moment is filled with something. If just standing around,
most drill instructors will tell their recruits to read up on their general knowledge. They’re in
classes, doing paperwork, or just trying to be Marines. Don’t forget this. They haven’t forgotten
you, but they’re also trying to do their best and often that’s done at the expense of a letter to you.
Continue to write – continue to be supportive. Talk about your plans to attend graduation and
what the future will hold after that. Talk about graduation will make any recruit giddy.
Third Phase
It’s four weeks from graduation. The platoon is getting excited and the momentum is building to
a fever pitch. The drill instructors are starting the treat the platoon like Marines and everything is
now down to the wire.
During the last phase, the platoon is getting ready for final inspections and graduation. They will
also do chores around base and have a bit more time away from the drill instructors. There are
final tests including a final PFT (physical fitness test) and final drill (with honors for the best
platoon). The tailors have finished fitting the uniforms, the first set of orders is being cut and for
the male recruits, they get their first “high and tight,” haircut.
While this is the most exhilarating time of the 13 weeks, it’s also a realization that one is about
to wear the title “Marine.” Most recruits will look back at the past 13 weeks and wonder “what
was I so terrified about? It wasn’t that bad!” For many, it’s the biggest and most gratifying
accomplishment of their life. During third phase, your recruit will probably write you more often
and show considerable levels of confidence. They're just about there….
Graduation
Thirteen weeks is over. This is the moment every recruit dreams of. There's this indescribable
feeling of the day you finally turn in your linens... Wow.
The first opportunity you’ll have to see your recruit is during Visitors Day right before graduation.
**DON’T BE SHOCKED!!**
You’re going to see an individual who is lean, in top physical condition, and if a gentleman, has
this great haircut called a “high and tight.” They’ll be in uniform and it’s going to knock your
socks off the first time you see your recruit. Yep – they’re looking good and standing tall.
Understand your recruit is absolutely thrilled to see you. His/her heart is beating and they want
to jump up and down with joy. However, they’re still a recruit and they know that the DIs are
watching every move they make – they must maintain “military bearing” at all times (it's a known
fact that DIs have eyeballs in the back of their heads). If the recruit is somewhat restrained in
his/her greeting, understand that. Recruits have been warned within inches of their life to be on
their best behavior – no outlandish stunts. As Marines, we also don’t believe in PDA – public
displays of affection. If you get a sheepish kiss on the cheek, be glad. He or she may hold your
arm, but probably won’t hold your hand (you have to be ready to salute at any time). And don’t
worry – you’ll get something better later on after graduation when the uniform is off. PATIENCE!!!
What else is going to be different? So many things... The person you knew 13 weeks ago has
evolved and completely changed. You’re going to learn a whole new language filled with
acronyms and words like “OORAH” and “Good to Go!” You’re going to see someone that wants
to jump out of the rack at 0400 and PT before breakfast. This new Marine will be tidy and always
neat in appearance. They’ll even know how to wash and iron their own uniforms! New Marines
have this aura of responsibility and found direction. It’s a wonder to behold especially when 13
weeks earlier, so many new recruits were struggling with monumental life decisions such as
"which game will I buy next?"
However, you’re also going to see an individual who has done something very rare – earned the
title of United States Marine. Marines think of themselves one step above everyone else. While
some people think it’s egotistical, we, as Marines, pride ourselves in the fact that not everyone
can be a Marine. We don’t get our title – we EARN our title (hence the catch phrase “Never Given
– Always Earned”). Those past 13 weeks were hard – the hardest thing most of us have or ever
will, do. We’ve learned about ourselves and what it means to wear the title. And we are proud of
ourselves and those brothers and sisters who have gone before us. So when it looks like your
Marine is walking with his back straight and a bit more spring in his step, smile and know that
all Marines – past and present, are sharing in his footsteps. We all act like this. That is what
makes us United States Marines.
Final Thoughts
Boot camp is a stressful time for the family. As a girlfriend or wife (or boyfriend/husband), you
are going to go through your own type of boot camp hell. I was a Marine and the wife of a Marine
recruiter who daily dealt with the frustrations and burdens that come when someone joins the
Corps. Twenty years later, and I’m still learning. Hopefully, the above and the questions below
will help make the time a bit easier…
“I don’t hear from my son (daughter/husband/wife/boyfriend)…”
They haven’t forgotten about you. They are busy. EVERY WAKING MINUTE is taken up by
something and they don’t often have time to write. And when a recruit is asleep, they’re
dreaming about boot camp. MCRD is not Club Med. They don’t have someone doing their
ironing and making their bed. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write. Write – often, daily. Tell
them you love them and are proud of them. Don’t turn their lack of communication into a mind
game of “I won’t write you, either”. They love you – they just are living in a very weird world at the
moment and one that doesn’t often include paper, pencil and a stamp.
“Religion is very important to us. Will they have time for worship?”
Yes. Religious services are held and recruits are *highly* encouraged to celebrate their faith
with their fellow recruits. If you have any questions regarding special religious holidays or
needs, speak with your recruiter. If in doubt, he can contact a chaplain at MCRD.
“Can my recruit wear his/her wedding band (or other jewelry)?”
No. Leave it at home. I showed to boot camp with my engagement band and sent it home
immediately (dumb, dumb, dumb). It will be destroyed from all the training and it’s not worth
losing a finger over. Also, no necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc. Religious medallions are
something else that I have seen some recruits wear, but I don’t know what the actual
regulations are. If you can live without it, however, keep it at home.
“What if my recruit fails?”
Recruits drop out for many reasons – health, what’s best for the Corps (inability to adapt),
weight, drugs, fraudulent enlistments, etc. Depending upon the reason for discharge, it’s
difficult to say what will happen next. Contrary to what most recruits tell you, Drill Instructors don’t
want their recruits to fail. It reflects poorly on them. They’re going to do everything within their
power to help a recruit graduate – sometimes dragging and screaming. I am under the firm
belief that anyone, with the right mind set and physical capabilities, can complete boot camp.
You just suck it up and deal with it. Your recruit is going to have a zillion moments where they
think the DIs hate them and are going to fail them. It’s all part of the training game.
“But why can’t I call him (or go see him?) and why can’t he call me?”
In the words of Willy Wonka, “We have so much to do and so little time to do it in.” Your presence
would be a distraction. The task at hand is to train recruits to be Marines not to deal with
relationship issues – even if those are just phone calls to say “I love you.” Nope. Don’t expect it
and don’t get mad at him/her for not calling. If they get caught calling you, it’s going to get ugly.
“I need to get a hold of my recruit immediately!”
Many recruits have family emergencies while their in boot camp and MCRD can fully deal with it.
If something comes up and requires their immediate notification, start with the recruiter or with
the Red Cross. Make sure, however, that it is a true emergency. Because you miss him/her and
haven’t heard from them, or because his cousin six times removed has an infected hang-nail
doesn’t constitute an emergency. Use common sense. When in doubt, go to the recruiter.
"His recruiter lied to him..."
Welcome to the oldest claim in the book. Yes, some recruiters do lie. The Corps does a good
job of getting rid of those types quickly, too. If your recruit was deliberately misled, then he needs
to be bring this up with his Platoon Commander or Senior DI. However, most often it's a
misunderstanding. Recruiters are going to tell you the best about the Corps, but that's not
always the exact way things are. If a recruiter tells an 18 year old that he's going to be a pilot
right out of boot camp, well, that's a lie. But if a recruiter tells an 18 year old that someday, he
could be a pilot, that's the truth. If you're in doubt, before the papers are signed, ask another
Marine recruiter or the CO of the recruiting station. In the end - getting out of boot camp because
a recruiter lied is not an easy thing to do. It just makes everyone angry.
“Are the drill instructors mean?”
Well, that’s a matter of debate. Your drill instructors will probably never be your best friend.
However, they’re doing their job (and it’s a tough job at that) and often, that means yelling at the
top of their lungs and acting like jerks. Your recruit is going to come up with more than one
colorful name for the Drill Instructors. However, they will leave MCRD with the utmost respect
and pride for these people, and be able to tell you about their DI some forty years later. Drill
Instructors and recruiters are the finest of the Corps and should be treated as such. These are
the people that mold and influence a Marine for their entire life and it’s only the best that do the
job. So if your recruit gets yelled at, it’s ok. Everyone gets yelled at in boot camp.
“Will my recruit be beat or hurt in any way?”
First off, no drill instructor or trainer may physically touch a recruit unless they are doing so
during a period of instruction (such as positioning them), or protecting the recruit from
something that may cause them harm. The days of drill instructors beating recruits have long
since passed. Can recruits get hurt? Of course. If you can get hurt running your daily three
miles, then so can a recruit. Accidents DO happen. However, rest assured that everything that
can feasibly be done to make sure boot camp is safe is done. If a recruit is being abused and
you have heard about it, however, then the recruit needs to talk to his Commanding Officer
immediately.
“Will I get a paycheck from my husband (or wife)?”
Marines are only paid twice a month and those first few paychecks during boot camp are
minimal (E-1 pay which is not much). Pay often does not go smoothly right out the gate so make
sure you’re prepared well in advance. A safe and reasonable plan is to ensure you have
adequate funds for you and your family for upwards of three months.
“What’s next??”
Read the rest of this site to find out... start on the Schools page. SOI and MOS school are
coming up, but again, you may not be with your Marine permanently until they get their first duty
station. Following a Marine to his/her MOS school is usually not advisable (unless it’s flight
school or longer than 6 months). You won’t have housing and you won’t be reimbursed. This is
the life of a Marine spouse. It’s advised to start taking classes (such as L.I.N.K.S), and reading
up on life in the military. And remember – this is when the fun begins.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |