My little cousin just enlisted, asked me how boot camp was.

Aug 4, 2017 5:00 AM

CronShawsby

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First thing that came to mind. After seven years in the navy, I'm still haunted by that first night. All of you dudes about to start boot, it's a remarkably memorable experience. Hang in there. FP edit: wow! Thanks for all the military support! You guys are awesome.

Survived USMC boot at MCRD San Diego. I'm 35 and I'd do it again if I could.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

how do people not expect the shit that happens the first night though? For me the biggest problem was how disorganized the Navy was.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

*is

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

I'm no longer in lol, past tense for me at least =)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Keep your head down, do as your told, shut up and don't take anything personally. Actually that's just all around good advice for life.

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Also don't volunteer for anythong

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Just have him watch he first half of Full Metal Jacket and tell him they aren't allowed to actually hit him anymore.

9 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 2

The hardest part about bootcamp was not laughing when the RDCs were yelling at anyone.

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Tell em thank you for their service on my behalf.

9 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 11

I will my dude. I appreciate it

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Thank you and also thank you for your service in the Navy. What service are they going into?

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Navy. I guess I set that precedent. Lol

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Gay

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 12

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Troll.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

Don't forget the cross dressing your first time over the equator

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That's not real

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hell my MTI came in playing a metal trash can as a drum, he proceded to chuck it at the wall for 15 minutes.. best first night ever

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's seriously not that bad, pretty much just a big inconvenience for a couple months, tell your cousin to not be pussy

9 years ago | Likes 94 Dislikes 25

Can confirm. Source: basic at Relaxin' Jackson. Summer camp with a whole lot of pushups. It's cake nowadays.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

This is exactly right. It's just a very long pain in the ass. That's all. When you get to your duty station, that's when the work begins.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

It's really not looking back, but I genuinely hated the experience.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

I think the best way to convey it, every single fucking thing that happens all you want to do is roll your eyes and say "fucking why?"

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Couldn't have put it better.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yep, people that say they loved it annoy me. Its not hard or traumatizing, its just 10 weeks of bullshit and biting your tongue.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I always wonder if I actually liked it or I'm just remembering the not so awful parts

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And seriously, just follow your rdc's orders, it makes life so much easier.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I thought Navy boot camp was fun but it depends on the RDCs and the guys in your division (i.e. how many dirt bags you have).

9 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 0

Or how many nukes you have. Dumbest smart people I've ever met.

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

10 nukes in my division. Needless to say we were IT'd everyday.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I was a nuke and I agree with this. One of our nukes refused to get out of bed one morning. That was a fun day.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Now that I'm remembering; same guy decided to "quit" during IT. They made the guy next to him lay on a table and draped the ensign over him.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

We all had to march around the table in single file as if it were a coffin and we were part of a funeral detail.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You get paid to work out and shoot shit, it's not bad just get over being yelled at and hazed. If they are even allowed to do that anymore

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Navy bootcamp was fairly easy... except the first week. Hardly any sleep. At least from what i 'member, it was 1997.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yea tell him not to try and quit like half the little bitches in mine.

9 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 4

Seriously? Half quit?

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 2

Half tried to quit. We lost 6 out of 50 in my platoon.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

about 1 in 10 dont make it past basic training,

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I would be that 1.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'd quit via death. I'd have a heart attack on the first day. I am very unfit.

9 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 1

It's a compilation of things one of the biggest that people can't swim

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That wasnt a problem for us, as the army don't check. People just got sick of getting smoked, and would be like "fuck this im out" and DS

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Would be like "fuck no snake" so they would say they're gonna kill themselves if they can't leave.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Dealing with idiots was the hardest part

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

My brother said the only thing he hated was the ones that tried to start shit.

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

We had one thought he was tough, til he picked a fight in full battle rattle and lost to one of our smaller dudes. Ended with a bloody nose

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That and you had some that would just do the dumbest things and when you tried to show them an easier way, they just outright refused.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

My bf is a Marine and has told me horror stories. Maybe it's different for different people but it sounded like it was no picnic.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 2

It's really only still bad for Marines, from what I've seen or heard.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

It seems like they're masochists. He's literally said "I wish this sucked more."

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Speaking of that first night in great lakes, was the Asian lady cutting hair 7 years ago OP?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Broken service vet, went through it twice, four years apart. Second time first night: "Did I REALLY just do that again?"

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Am I the only one who found Full Metal Jacket to be more of a comedy? The entire boot camp segment was just constant laughs for me.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That lady at boot made my hairline look like an ekg print out.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

P Days were fucking horrible. First day was by far the worst though.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I feel you.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

My best friend is going to basic in a couple days any advice for him that I can pass on?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Wash the Chiefs coffee Mug for him.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

That's evil. You're evil.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Have a blast before you go. But they do do a drug test immediately so keep that in mind.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Anyone who runs is a V.C.! Anyone who stands still is a well-disciplined V.C.!

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

GET SOME!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

"You have twooooooooooo minutes"

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

At graduation my lead RCP asked me who I was & how long had I been there. Follow orders & move along. He can stand out at the unit. Or not.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

@OP do you remember Dragon Lady?

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

The Asian chick with the huge hair that had purple in it? Bro. That broad is in my nightmares

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Yes!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

@Op, I think you and your cousin need this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84QzVPA3rrY

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I just choked on the beer I was drinking!! Lmao

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

When my dad retired from the USAF, he did two things: got a civilian job doing the same thing, and grew his hair out like a hippy.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

He rode the wave and made it out. Hats off to your pop.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

And I suspect the hair was a planned statement.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeup, 22 years in the service, and another 22 years at the same base as a civilian contractor. ;)

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That's the goal! 13 years to go!

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

in USMC boot camp they keep you awake for two days and then the BASS DROPS lol so much screaming i was nonplussed it was a cool experience

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Not trying to be snitch here but I'm fairly sure the "barbers" at MCRD are in the witness relocation program. I mean it's the perfect cover.

9 years ago | Likes 84 Dislikes 0

OR USE THE REAL WITNESS PROTECTION QPROGRAM USA USA USA USA USA

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Honestly had to be one of the worst experiences in boot camp. Dreaded every haircut. Felt like my head should have been oozing blood.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Those dudes were relentless on the scalp.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Yeah I got a bumpy scalp and I felt that for a day or two

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Wow it wasn't just ours then, hand tats and everything pretty sure Russian.

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

Well I'm glad it wasn't just me

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

There’s that one barber at MCRD that’s been there since the 80’s. Maybe earlier. And he looks like El Chavo del Ocho. Lol

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

People go on about how hard it was and all that. Honestly has been about the most fun I've had yet.

9 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 4

I'm about to start mine in a little over a week. I'm really excited to go.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 2

From what I've heard, it has changed a lot. They can't even smoke you anymore.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm army, and I know we'll get smoked a lot.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Meaning you havent been through basic?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

not yet, set to ship in a little over a week. but i already know whats going to happen.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Plot twist: ^ this guy's an instructor.

9 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 0

See, I don't understand you on a fundamental level. I've been in the army. How is the exhaustion, boredom and lack of sleep fun? How?

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

For me, infantry, I also had a lot of ranges that I enjoyed. But yeah plenty of the other stuff too

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Well for us it was just exhaustion and no sleep. We never had a dull moment. Idk man some people are just cut out for it.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I'm not the one who said it, but I enjoyed USAF BMT. I grew up being yelled at and hit, those fuckers can't even hit you. Was just mindgames

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Battlestations was the shit. Stay up all night doing real sailor shit and fall asleep on the march to morning chow.

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Those coveralls tho. So comfortable

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Agreed!

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

11 years ago it was just dumb. A lot of running across base and spending time on one knee.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

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9 years ago (deleted Sep 14, 2017 4:00 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

You know that shit's on YouTube, right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQCh1mLTIGk

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Doesn't it come down to how fit you are going in?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Nah man. I was in shit shape going in. Its all what you make of it. If you view it as just misery than you will be super miserable.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Navy, too. That first night was the worst. That was 14 years ago.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Those clippers are working fantastically, or that dude's hair is thinner than peach fuzz.

9 years ago | Likes 127 Dislikes 0

sheep shears

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They press REALLY hard on your skull when doing these hair cuts.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Well, they cost like $80,000, since it's the government that bought them

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Fun Fact. Those are actually clippers for dogs and animals. They used them for the film because they shear quicker than human ones

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

They must use them in real life too because I have THICK hair and it took them 5 minutes to shave my head lol

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

From my experience in the Army, this is pretty standard. Though they usually have a vacuum tube attached to them to catch the clippings.

9 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

Flowbee FTW. I really should buy one of those damn things... except they cost more than my clippers and 1/2" is the shortest it'll go. Meh.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Question: what if you shaved your head before you went in?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Depends on the drills. Some'll let you bypass, some will make you go anyways (technically wrong, bc you still have to pay for your haircuts)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He probably buzzes 50 guys an hour

9 years ago | Likes 48 Dislikes 1

No doubt, which makes it all the more impressive. I'd like to see the maintenance routine used on those things.

9 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Seriously. Where can i get some clippers that good?

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

Well, the government probably paid $10,000 for them.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

At a tack store. They carry the heavy duty clippers we use on horses. If it works on my 1200lb fluffy horse, it will work on you!

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

What is a reasonable price range to expect?

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Just like my ex

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Just like @OP's mom

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I lost a mole to those clippers.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Sorry for your loss.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What branch? I feel like I offer some pretty practical advice that I've been meaning to make a post on.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I'm thinking about enlisting in the Army after my last year at college. Any advice?

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Commission. Even if it's the same bullshit, you'll be getting paid 3 times what you would enlisted.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

At the very least go WO and fly helicopters.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Only that all the enlisted men and women that I've served with that had college degrees felt a little out of place among the 18 and 19 yr >

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Old dip shits. I got no experience with the commissioned side of things but I think it's a path worth looking into.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

http://terminallance.com/2013/08/27/terminal-lance-289-why-we-drink/ "I GET PAID A TON AND PEOPLE SALUTE ME AND SHIT!"

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

They said it was just the 'roll of the ocean' - but it felt like a roll of linoleum.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I remember standing in line for like 4 hours to get my haircut while they played the same introduction video over and over

9 years ago | Likes 47 Dislikes 2

I remember the feeling of the cold wind on my scalp... and this was 4 yrs ago

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Why don't people go there with their head shaved already?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You can't razor your scalp either.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I did. But they do it anyways. No fuzz. Just straight up bald.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Pointless they do it anyway and it hurts more

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

And make you pay for it.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I never understood why i had to pay for my uniforms with how much taxes the military takes

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

They let you have cell phones now, just play candy crush when no one's looking, 2 months go by fast

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

They don't in the navy. Army (Air force?) gets them for a limited time

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

When did army start getting cell phones?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not sure. I heard about it last summer when I was in boot. It's dependent on what the DIs say. Most get it on sundays for like an hour

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

to be fair, I was granted pay phone time (albeit less than 1/2 hour a week, more like 10 mins if I was lucky) in 2006/2007

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Nothing like getting woken up after night one at 0300 by your DI launching a steel garbage can down the center of the isle.

9 years ago | Likes 318 Dislikes 1

Were you on Parris Aisland?

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Sure there is. The DI could have launched it at your bunk. ;)

9 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 1

I was that guy lucky enough to be in bunk 1. Can started on my metal headboard before the aisle launch!!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Fire alarm for me

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Fuck the military.

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 65

Then the inevitable bollocking for him scuffing the polish on his toecaps because he kicked the bin

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Ha, also my childhood

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Isle of Man?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Or breaking it in half.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

FUCK YOU, THAT'S WHY

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

I got flipped out of my bunk because I wouldn't get up after 3 hours asleep at 30th AG

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Its a valuable lesson. Several times in Iraq i had to physically throw idiot boots into a bunker because they didn't want to get up.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Haha. At least I did my dumbest shit at Benning instead of in country.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Weird. At 30th they didn't mess with us much. Got plenty of sleep and food. They fixed that after the shark attack though lol

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Please, that was my childhood

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 146 Dislikes 1

I want context badly.

9 years ago | Likes 50 Dislikes 1

He wanted a turn on the wobbly hat but it wasn't his go yet

9 years ago | Likes 51 Dislikes 0

He's no Tayne tho

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

That's amazing.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Ty!

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

...Read the whole thing and still don't really get it. Seems like he just decided to scream at a dude for no reason.

9 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Screaming IS a reason.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

He's a Marine. He was probably tetchy since the game's organisers didn't give him enough crayons to eat

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 8

Marines don't like to be hushed

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The marine grew up im valdosta ga. My stomping grounds

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I love how his cover shakes separately from his head

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

As someone who works at a Marine base, don't taunt our Marines, especially a gunny.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Once a Marine has that many stripes I'll go 6 miles out of my way to avoid aggravating them.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

OOOOOHHHHH NOOOOOOOO

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

I was a northern boy in a platoon with a southern man DS who had a WICKED speech impediment and no time for "carpet-baggers".

9 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 0

I thought there was no bigotry and that everyone was equally worthless?

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Well yeah, but you gotta tailor the insults to the person.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

He found the northern boys weakness.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Yes, and they will explain to each of you in detail why you in particular are equally worthless.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

"Don't worry, basic isn't as bad as you think." - Friend who didn't go to Infantry OSUT.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"Don't worry, basic isn't as bad as you think." - me, who went to infantry OSUT

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

"Well, that's just like... your opinion, man."- Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Well, the shiny shit really *does* bring the room together.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This isn't Nam! This is Benning! There are rules here!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0