I've always wondered what it's really like to go through military Boot Camp.
My nephew recently graduated from Marine Boot Camp at Parris Island, and he gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the barracks, training grounds, Commissary, and all of the steps that a new recruit goes through the moment the bus drops them off in front of the Receiving Station.
It was quite surreal to hear my nephew recount the process exactly as he remembered it: the fear of the unknown... the mundane "waiting period" where the recruits who arrived early had to watch the same video about Parris Island over-and-over-and-over-and-over again... that proverbial "first phone call"... being issued their "official" gear... and much more.
Check it out...
Step-by-Step
It all begins with "the yellow footprints".The yellow footprints are obviously one of the most lasting memories a Marine recruit has of his Boot Camp experience.
After the graduation ceremony, many graduates were eager to take their families to see the yellow footprints.
You could sense the Marines "flashing-back" to their very first days on the Island: how they felt about enlisting, what they were thinking at the time, and precisely where each was standing the day they got off the bus as a Civilian ...and 13 weeks later left Parris Island as a Marine.
Immediately upon entry to the New Marine Recruit Station, this is what you see...
Onto that first phone call home... The recruits are strictly limited on what they can say in that phone call. Here's the actual script, and any recruit that doesn't follow it gets the phone hung up by a Marine officer.
Welcome to your home for the next 13 weeks! (Recruits go through 1 week of check-in & assignments, and 2 weeks of training.) These are the barracks where 66 men slept and began most of their days... at O-something hours -- far too early, according to most Marine recruits.
In the end, it was all worth it... Odds are, if you can survive Marine Boot Camp, you can survive anything. And you will definitely be a changed human being!
See exactly what it's like to be a basically trained Marine going through Basic Training.
Don't forget to make plans now for sending care packages to your loved ones who are in the military!
Here are some great ideas for soldiers care packages.
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NC Mom, My son left my house on Oct 14 and he called me on Oct 15 at 2am reading the script saying that he has safely arrived to PI. I don't know why he hasn't called you but hopefully he will call you soon.
Just hang in there...wish you the best!
Angelica
Hi Angelica, I know exactly how you feel my son also left on Oct 14 to San Diego, CA and I often find myself thinking about him. Just yesterday (Oct 16) he got to call home & I was relieved to hear his voice. I know he is capable of surviving boot camp but I do miss him!!
Charlene-Rio Grande Valley, Texas
I just want to say thank you for you comments. I haven't had the chance to write back because these past months has been like hell to me. My son Andy just left today Oct 14 to PI and I feel that I'm falling apart. I just hope that we can get through this as soon as possible. I have so many mix feelings right now that I can't think straight.
Thank you again
Angelica
PS: Rebecca don't worry...you didn't offend me in any way.
Hi, My son left on 10/21 for PI. When exactly can you expect to get that first phone call. Does my child need a calling card or does he call me collect? I had read on another site they could not call at all? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
To Lynnette:
1st of all thank you so much for this page! However, I'm interested in knowing more about the career of your Marine nephew. Now that he's got 2 years of service in, what's he doing now? Has he been promoted to Lance Corporal? What is his MOS? Does plan to re-enlist? As tough as recruit training is, it is only the beginning!
Hi im 19 and leaving for basic training in december for the USMC. i know it is goign to be hard on me expecially since i am a female and all men are sexist jerks.
na girl they aint all that bad. plus marine guys are very respectible. i have a best friend, a girl, who is there now. and when guys now that you're a marine they will respect you too. it may not feel like it now, but just wait till u graduate. my boyfriend graduated last week so i was just there. i saw some girls there, so its not like you're the only one. they'll all become your sisters.