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leaving for boot camp

#23
My rating is HM. I will be in BUD/S (SEAL school) next summer.

The Navy has tightened the bolts on the training fairly recently. They did away with the "stress cards" and such that made it a joke. The RDCs have upped the ante a lot so I hear.

If BUD/S doesn't work out the first go-around I will undoubtedly be assigned to a Marine unit to earn my pin.

Additionally, the Navy and Air Force are by far the most selective branches nowadays as both are trying to downsize. They have upped the minimum scores on the ASVAB and other tests as well at boot camp. They are only taking the smarter recruits nowadays. It was a real witch going through MEPS processing with the Navy guys. They did all they could and do all they can to have an excuse to boot somebody's opportunities. Same with the Air Force. The MEPS experience tells you everything, and trust me, the Navy was as selective as it could get.

But you all will get a full report on my experience when I get through basic.
 
#24
Scottz0369 and Todzilla-

Did either of you ever get to 'pick out' your corpsman? I showed up in Panama for one particular exercise with (mostly) a bunch of reservists. About five if us got there at the same time. This one particularly huge Gunny came over and said "Are you the corpsmen for this exercise? Pick my ass up." and dropped to the ground. I was the only one who could lift him without busting a gut. He said "Okay. You're with my boys." and, sure enough they switched platoon assignments so I was with his platoon.

I don't think that's how it normally goes, though. :p
 
#25
volumefiend said:
My rating is HM. I will be in BUD/S (SEAL school) next summer.

The Navy has tightened the bolts on the training fairly recently. They did away with the "stress cards" and such that made it a joke. The RDCs have upped the ante a lot so I hear.

If BUD/S doesn't work out the first go-around I will undoubtedly be assigned to a Marine unit to earn my pin.
Click to expand...

What's a stress card? I may be too old for this question. I got out in 1988.
 
#27
Oh come on! Isn't the whole point of training to teach you to deal with intense situations when they don't hurt so you can cope when they DO hurt?

This sounds like it would just put off dealing with the situation entirely so that when it does happen, you're totally unprepared. Not in MY navy.

What idiot came up with that?
 
#30
Have a blast in Great Mistakes......err, I mean Lakes. Just remember to keep your mouth shut and let it all roll off of you. It's a long 2 1/2 months but it feels good when your done! Did 5 years as an ET/SS. Just like everything, the Navy has good points and bad points and you'll take out of it what you put into it.

Good luck and thank you for serving.
 
#32
Bard2dbone said:
Oh come on! Isn't the whole point of training to teach you to deal with intense situations when they don't hurt so you can cope when they DO hurt?

This sounds like it would just put off dealing with the situation entirely so that when it does happen, you're totally unprepared. Not in MY navy.

What idiot came up with that?
Click to expand...
I was a drill sergeant in the Army Reserve. Basic Training was a joke in 1993-4. I'm not saying the knowlege that was imparted to recruits was bad, just expectations (and the qualities of 'cruits) were way below what were expected of a private when I went through 7 years prior. I, as a drill sergeant, was nearly Article 15'd for having privates do push ups on blacktop. The requirement was to take privates to a "shaded, grassy area" to do push ups. When I was in BT, where you 'F'd up is where you did push ups. On blacktop, on gravel (our company formation area was gravel- and we did a lot of push ups there) on grass, in mud, in wood chips, wherever.

Now this is just the Army, but physical fitness standards dropped 10% (the last time I checked- about a year ago) In other words, for the 18-22 year old age category what would have netted me a 90% (in push ups, sit ups and 2 mile run time) would now score a 100%.

Another area that was suffering, even by 1991, was discipline. When my unit got back from Saudi Arabia, a private fresh out of basic training had been moved into my room (since I was short...), but we're talking about a brand spanking new private living in the same room with an E-5. He had the nads to refer to me as "man," and was storing his stuff in and under my bunk. He had no concept of the difference between private and noncommissioned officer. I'm sure he was straightened out in no time... The issue is that he should have known that coming out of basic, AIT and he damn well should have known that by the time he got out of Airborne...
 
#34
burk48237 said:
Congrats and thanks for your service, send a cruise missle to OBL for me! :p
Click to expand...

AND ONE..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................do it myself if I must. :mad:
 
#36
The Golden Boy said:
I was a drill sergeant in the Army Reserve. Basic Training was a joke in 1993-4. I'm not saying the knowlege that was imparted to recruits was bad, just expectations (and the qualities of 'cruits) were way below what were expected of a private when I went through 7 years prior. I, as a drill sergeant, was nearly Article 15'd for having privates do push ups on blacktop. The requirement was to take privates to a "shaded, grassy area" to do push ups. When I was in BT, where you 'F'd up is where you did push ups. On blacktop, on gravel (our company formation area was gravel- and we did a lot of push ups there) on grass, in mud, in wood chips, wherever.

Now this is just the Army, but physical fitness standards dropped 10% (the last time I checked- about a year ago) In other words, for the 18-22 year old age category what would have netted me a 90% (in push ups, sit ups and 2 mile run time) would now score a 100%.

Another area that was suffering, even by 1991, was discipline. When my unit got back from Saudi Arabia, a private fresh out of basic training had been moved into my room (since I was short...), but we're talking about a brand spanking new private living in the same room with an E-5. He had the nads to refer to me as "man," and was storing his stuff in and under my bunk. He had no concept of the difference between private and noncommissioned officer. I'm sure he was straightened out in no time... The issue is that he should have known that coming out of basic, AIT and he damn well should have known that by the time he got out of Airborne...
Click to expand...

At first when I started hearing stuff like this, I thought it was just old-timers and lifer-dogs trying to make it sound like it was tougher in their day. Then I heard someone who got out about twelve years after me (say '99 or '00) talking about how much easier he had had it than the 'old timers' he had served with, and then he starts comparing his boot camp experience with what he had heard from the others and how much harder their experience was.

i thought the 'tough' version he was talking about sounded like cake. When I was in basic, Company Commanders could still hit you.
 
#38
Okay, Listen up and listen good. They can't mess with you like when I went through (1972). I went to Orlando for six weeks to the day. They were pushing boots through so fast we couldn't keep up.
First and foremost. LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY AND WANT. They give you specific instructions on EVERYTHING. Take them to heart and obey them to a T. This will make your life easier. Help your shipmates with things you are good at. If you aren't as good with some things, ask for help. Work as a team. Most teens aren't good at this unless they played football or some other arduous sport.
Volunteer for additional duties. I was the Mail P.O. I got to WALK around instead of running. Taking on additional responsibilities gave you additional liberties. Help others if you can. In ANY way you can. This is what they want to instill in you. This is about TEAMWORK. If one fails, everyone else fails also. I was in the NAVY for 23+ years. I did as well as I wanted. Including stopping smoking pot in 1984. On a sidenote, I went on to be Sailor of the Year the next year, and advancing to Chief Petty Officer the year after that. I retired as a Senior Chief in 1996.
If you still have a choice, go aviation. Not AB. If you have the smarts try AT or AQ. Ask your recruiter what rating has the best chance for advancement. More $$$!
This is blood dude. If you want more specific questions answered email me at [email protected]
 
#40
volumefiend said:
I will be in BUD/S (SEAL school) next summer.
Click to expand...

Holy crap dude. You have to let us know how that goes. If you can pass that, serious respect will be due to you.

Have you seen that series on the Military channel about Navy SEALS BUD/S training? You should check it out. Ignore everything these guys are saying about the training being watered down, and easier. During the first week of BUDS, called Hellweek, the soldiers are deprived of sleep for 96 hours, and spend a majority of their time floating in 56 degree water in the ocean. When you get out of the water, you'll have to roll around in the sand. There was nothing sissy, watered down, or easy about anything those guys did. Which is why only 19 finished from the 83 that started.

I hope everything goes well for you. Please keep us updated.

-Mike
 

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