5 ways to prepare and survive the Marine Corps boot camp

I’m an old man far removed from the Marine Corps. It’s been almost two decades since I left for boot camp. With that in mind, I can look back at the experience with a bit more wisdom.

I recently had a friend whose son joined the Marines, and we talked about how he could excel at boot camp. I had five pieces of advice that need to be said.

1. Forget about your relationship

This sounds cruel, but I’ve seen too many good Marines getting dragged down by what amounts to high school relationships. It might be hard to hear it now, but that high school girlfriend or boyfriend likely won’t last your enlistment. When it comes time to head off to boot camp, they will either be there when you’re done or won’t be.

Worrying about a boyfriend or girlfriend in boot camp will be a detriment to your focus and your ability to become the best Marine you can be. Your girlfriend is now the Marine Corps, and she commands the entirety of your attention, and guess what, it’s a four-year relationship whether you like it or not.

Even when boot camp is over, you’ll have your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) school to attend, and then you can be stationed around the country or even the world. Add in deployments and Temporary Duty Assignments, and you’ll be constantly busy. It takes mature people to maintain a relationship in the military, and if you’re coming out of high school, you’re not mature enough to balance both.

2. Prepare mentally and physically

Every day you have between the time you enlist and when you ship for boot camp is a blessing as it gives you more time to prepare.

You’ll need to prepare your body by working out. Even if you’re in great shape, you can be better. You can run faster and further. You can do more pullups and push-ups and hold a plank longer. If possible, go swimming. Be careful not to injure yourself, but push your limits.

Mentally, you can start preparing by researching Marine Corps history. Study significant events, battles, figures, and dates. Learn your General Orders and everything you can about the Marine Corps.

If you need to know where to start, talk to your recruiter. My recruiter worked with me and provided me with a physical fitness guide from the Marine Corps to prepare for boot camp. He also gave me handouts of what to study prior to joining the Corps. Consume everything your recruiter gives you.

Related: These elite Marines combine tradition with special operations innovations

3. Develop discipline

Marines with Marine Barracks Washington execute “pass in review” during a Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington D.C., June 2, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark A. Morales)

The other part of mental preparation is developing discipline, which can be tough, especially if you’re younger. I remember being a teenager. I had to lose 100 pounds to join the Marine Corps, and I’m glad I did. It taught me discipline and helped me prepare to do anything in boot camp and in the Marine Corps in general.

The best way to develop discipline is to find something hard to do and consistently do it. Work out consistently, wake up early, and avoid intoxicants and other harmful substances. Don’t lapse because it can be a domino that starts knocking over other pieces.

Never let the lazy win.

4. Don’t buy a boot camp prep program

Do not buy any of those expensive and stupid boot camp fitness prep programs.

If you don’t know how to work out and haven’t spoken to a recruiter, I will only endorse one program. It’s not boot camp specific, but it will help you get in shape for boot camp. It’s a $9.99 Kindle purchase called Tactical Barbell: Green Protocol. It’s a dynamic fitness program aimed at Soldiers and Marines and is perfect for starting to get in shape for boot camp.

Do not purchase a $199 course from a guy recently out of the Marine Corps. It’s not needed or necessary.

5. Free time should be workout time

Lance Cpl. Timothy Wagner, a combat engineer, with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, works out with some of the equipment he and some Marines in his unit made, Feb. 28. (Photo by Sgt. Aaron Hostutler/ III Marine Expeditionary Force)

I only have one tip for what to do when you get to boot camp.

The best part of boot camp is that you don’t have to make any decisions – those decisions are made for you. The only decision you will get to make is what you do with your free time.

There isn’t much to choose from, but if I were to go back in time and redo boot camp, I’d use my free time to work out.

Your camp’s squad bay will likely be equipped with dumbbells and pullup bars. We also had an elliptical. You don’t have to go hog wild, but a little can go a long way. Do pullups, squats, overhead presses, and other compound exercises, and between sets, write and read your letters.

Use your free time to make yourself better, stronger, faster.

The only easy day

I might break some brains here, but the truth is that boot camp is the easiest part of your Marine Corps career. Your only responsibility there is to become a Marine.

After boot camp, you have to be a Marine, which can be a lot harder. You might not be screamed at every day, and you get to play video games again, but now you have to make decisions that matter, and that can be tough.

If you can dedicate yourself to being the best recruit you can be, you can set habits for being the best Marine you can be.

Feature Image: Future Marines from Marine Corps Recruiting Station Fort Worth got a taste of what Recruit Training will be like during the station’s Annual Pool Function, April 27-28, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Danielle Rodrigues/Released)

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