Ask Me Help Desk - Scared About Marines

OK. I need some real good advice. Honestly my recruiter I think gives me bull and I've been trying to search someone who has any help for months. Now I'm honestly tired of trying to give people my life story but in a nut shell I was big fat and no muscle over a year ago and through high school sports I manage to lose 45 pounds and now am at 235, just at the weight limit for the marines acceptance. Now lets say at my weight and body structure right now (average strength and for my weight above average speed) can a guy who trust me I won't quit make it through boot camp. My biggest fear is being thrown out for like being out of shape or whatever. Again I'm sorry if I sound or come across annoyed and like an . Its just I'm sooooo nervous maybe more than a normal person would be and I'm tired of posting these things on millions of websites and getting notin but bull and retarted none helpful answers back. Yea again sorry.

Maybe try running and doing some of the exercises they will have you doing in boot camp and see if you get out of breath, weak and have a hard time keeping up to the pace they would expect. I would think that if you do then you might not quite make it through and maybe give it another year or two to try and get in better shape.
I think the standards are not as strict as they were in the 60's with the draft but I think you would still have to keep up to pace. I know my son was on ADHD medicine for some problems and has mild scoliosis and he is in the Army.

Quote:

Originally Posted by usmcrjh2383

can a guy who trust me i wont quit make it through boot camp.

Hello marine:

Sure. But, like N0 says, start NOW.

excon

Some advice to my brother to be. I just got out of the Marines last Feb, I know all you fears! However this is a minor concern and I'll put it at rest for you. The Marine Corp will not kick you out if you've made it to boot for a weight issue. You've been accepted and have passed the minimal standards for weight regulation. You will only continue to lose weight in boot camp, I promise you! I was fit and more than ready I scored perfect 300 pft's throught-out basic training and I still lost 20 pounds! It's all mental brother that's the hardest thing about it! Any more questions? Hit me up! Ooorah!

I agree with devil dog. I was a marine wife (now army) and my best advice is, you've made the limit, pat yourself on the back for your weight loss so far. BUT, and this is a big but, as the above mentioned, you will continue to lose wait and mental strength is half the battle.

But marine corps basic is the hardest of the US out there, IMO (and my husband's). It isn't going to be easy just because you made the weight. It will be hard, harder for you than someone who is 200 pounds or less.

My recommendation is to go for it but TRAIN from now until the day your rear shows up at Basic. Run every day building up distance. Strength train and eat right, and you'll feel much better on the basic training runs and rucks.

Consider the Army first and then marines?

Quote:

Originally Posted by usmcrjh2383

ok. i need some real good advice. honestly my recruiter i think gives me bull and ive been tryin to search someone who has any help for months. now im honestly tired of tryin to give people my life story but in a nut shell i was big fat and no muscle over a year ago and through high school sports i manage to lose 45 pounds and now am at 235, just at the weight limit for the marines acceptance. now lets say at my weight and body structure right now (average strength and for my weight above average speed) can a guy who trust me i wont quit make it through boot camp. my biggest fear is being thrown out for like being out of shape or whatever. again im sorry if i sound or come across annoyed and like an . its just im sooooo nervous maybe more than a normal person would be and im tired of posting these things on millions of websites and gettin notin but bull and retarted none helpful answers back. yea again sorry.

I would go for it... I was a troubled teen and joined in 1980 and did 20 years and it was the best think that I have done... it got me in great shape, meet new friends, excellent training, travel. I had a blast and I miss that life style... don't get me wrong there were tough days but that is what your there for... sweating more in training prevent less bleeding in combat. Well not really but that what I always heard when I was a young soldier. 95% of it is all mental... quitting is not an option... don't quit before you even start. I don't know you... but I bet if you give it a try and don't quit. YOU BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF AND SO WILL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. When you retire from the military... you'll have a good pension and people will hire you in a heart-beat. Plus, where else can you work and be guaranteed a PAY-CHECK EVERY PAYDAY. GOOD LUCK TO YOU! And take care. "HOOAH"

I respect the marines, and while yes it is very physcial, it is mental also more so than you will ever know. But for now, run, run and run, work up to at least 5 miles

usmcrjh2383 -

Here's a quick thought on weight loss. Try a technique called deficit days. Basically, on the days that you PT, try to eat less than you do on a normal day... you will be fatigued and experience some discomfort, but your body will get used to it. I'm not suggesting that you starve yourself, but only eat much smaller portions for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You'll be able to burn off more of your fat reserves this way and you should see a difference. A buddy of mine who was getting ready to go to OCS was having a hard time breaking his weight barrier of 175 lbs and be began doing deficit days and was able to get down to 165 in a matter of two weeks.

On the days that you don't PT, just stick to your normal diet. Try to monitor what you eat and figure out what your daily calorie intake is, and that way you can adjust your diet accordingly. Basically, eat when you are hungry and don't eat when you don't feel hungry.

Hey kid I undersatand your concerns. My son is in his 10th week @ marine boot camp in San Diego. His recruiter wasn't very honest. He was told his credits from college would rank him E2 after boot camp and there was a spot as an MP waiting for him, but at the last minute he was informed neither will happen but all is well! Because you can't rely on anyone but yourself and if you set the bar high you won't fail. My son trained with his recruiter and fellow recruits for 6 months, they will not let you go on to boot camp if you do not meet certain pt requirements so don't worry! You will not be thrown out but you will be tested mentally and physically. My son writes us all the time,
He talks about how worried he was before he went in but now he loves it. I hope I have been some help to you good luck in your future.

The cool thing for someone in your situation, is that once you enlist with the USMC, it's kind of a 'Marine or dead' attitude towards your training. Once you're accepted and started training, it's actually pretty hard to be kicked out. BC will cut the fat pretty fast, but if you fall behind in training, you will be moved to the next class back, essentially extending your training period. There is also a program in the Corps that allows you to stay in Basic for up to a year, until you can get into shape and properly carry out your duties. Hope I helped.