quote:

Originally posted by blackwater_mercenary:
I couldn't give you a straight answer as to what bootcamp in the Marines is like. I know it's longer than the other services, but I myself went through Army bootcamp. Know that you're going to be pushed beyond your limits no matter what service you enlist in. Just some rules of thumb are to never volunteer for anything, don't talk back to the DI, always use sir/mam, and never make direct eye contact. You'll also do well to remember not to alienate your buddies who are going through the same thing you are, because if you get out of line, and the DI punishes everybody, your buddies will remind you whose fault it is. Just remember that military life isn't at all like bootcamp, and the DI is looking for some spine in his or her recruits. Don't take anything personally. Oh, and if you get a female DI, don't ever call her sweetheart, they're worse than the male DI's.

If you're joining the Army, Marines, or National Guard, you need to know the risks associated with doing that. It isn't a decision to make lightly, nor is it with any branch of the military. It's just if you join Army or Marines, your chances of being deployed to a combat zone are very high, and you will be obligated to fight as long as Uncle Sam wants to keep you. Be sure this is what you really want.

quote:

Originally posted by thegunny:
Step1
Aside from being certain you’re in very good physical condition, make sure you get a sufficient amount of rest before you take the PFT. The test is very demanding and is designed to stress both your aerobic and anaerobic capabilities. When all other factors are equal, a well-rested Marine will generally obtain a higher score than one who’s being tested after just having returned from a night of intense partying.

Step2
Know that the test is usually administered during the early morning hours. Get comfortable exercising at that time of day to ensure you won’t be shocked by the notion of exercising before daybreak.

Step3
Be aware that the PFT is not normally postponed because of inclement weather. Your individual training regimen should reflect this all-weather approach to fitness. Scorekeepers may make some concession to precipitation by bringing along a towel with which the pull-up bars can be wiped nearly dry between exercises.

Step4
Begin the PFT with the pull-up (male Marines) or flexed-arm hang (female Marines) event if the option is left to you. The primary muscle groups involved in either exercise, the biceps and lateral muscles, have little to do with the follow-on exercises.

Step5
Opt for the abdominal crunches as the second graded exercise, if possible. The crunches will have little—-if any—-noticeable effect on your run performance and after having completed the test, you will have slightly warmed your quadriceps (leg) muscles.

Step6
Save the 3-mile run for the last event of the PFT. Not only is it the most physically demanding test, it is also the most psychologically challenging. Scorekeepers will always allow runners to rest after completing the first two events and it is important to do just that. During that brief amount of time, jog a series of short distances at progressively faster speeds to ensure you are physically and mentally prepared for the run.

Do's and don'ts:
The PFT is administered every six months and it is the individual Marine’s responsibility to stay in shape in order to pass the test.

The final PFT score is derived by considering the Marine’s age along with the individual event scores.

Don’t try to “cram” for the PFT. It’s far easier to stay in shape than to recover from strains, pulls or stress injuries.

Failing any single event in the PFT means the Marine has failed the entire test.

Using alcohol within 24 to 48 hours of the PFT will result in poorer overall performance.