How to Prepare for Boot Camp-5 Ways to Get Yourself Ready
As your countdown to boot camp ticks away, you’ll likely experience mixed emotions. It’s an exciting time in your life, but fear of the unknown and drill instructors can make it seem quite scary. Don’t worry, you can still come prepared with a little knowledge and some essential gear.
Your entire experience will be less frightening if you get ready early. Soon, you’ll be looking forward to your bright military career.
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1. Learn the History of Your Branch
One of the first things you should do is learn more about the history of your chosen branch. Learning more about your branch gives you insight into the most significant leaders, events, and battles. Some of the greatest lessons you learn about leadership will likely come from the sergeants and generals of your military branch. If you want to climb the military career ladder, you’ll need to learn a lot about leadership.
2. Learn More About Military Life
While a military career offers a stable job and excellent benefits, it certainly has its challenges. Research online or talk to your recruiter about what you can expect from a life in the military. If you have family members that served in the military, they can provide excellent insight into military stations and living abroad.
For instance, you’ll move frequently, which can be difficult for young families. You’ll also learn tidbits of knowledge about saluting high-ranking military members, rank structure, and how to get promoted. All this information can be instrumental to your success in the military.
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3. Work Out and Get Ready to Run
You’ll be doing plenty of physical exercise and running in boot camp. Cardio endurance is critical for keeping up with your platoon on those long runs. Strength training is also essential, so working out in a gym will help you shape up.
The military loves to train using bodyweight exercises, so you should start doing pushups, sit-ups, and pullups as soon as possible.
If soldiers aren’t running, they’re doing the next best thing-marching. Long field marches are exhausting. You’ll most likely have to march for miles carrying a rifle and full gear. Recruits that fair the best with marching are also avid hikers, so you may want to add hiking to your recreational or exercise routine.
Working out before boot camp also helps you learn to stay focused during long physical exercises. Plus, you’ll need to pass a PT test during basic training, so find out about your branch’s PT standards. The Marine Corps Initial Strength Test differs from the Navy Physical Readiness Test, and the Air Force PT test differs from the requirements of the Army Physical Fitness Test.
4. Learn How to Eat Well
Learning how to eat well is great for your body and can help you get in shape. Improving your eating will improve your training significantly. It’s all about making sure you eat the right amount of protein and vegetables, as well as limiting carbs and processed sugars.
Now that doesn’t mean you can never have a juicy hamburger or piece of pizza ever again. It merely means that you eat those unhealthy things in moderation. You can always reward yourself with a good meal as long as you don’t overdo it.
5. Quit Drinking or Smoking
You should work on eliminating or at least significantly reducing any smoking or drinking habits. The people that fair the worst during physical training exercises in the military are smokers. You also can’t get cigarettes in boot camp.
Giving up drinking will also help you get into better shape. But, if you wait until the last minute to eliminate your bad habits, you’ll find boot camp unbearable. Drill sergeants are tough enough when you’re not moody and irritable. Try to quit smoking or drinking at least 30 days before boot camp so you can do it gradually.
These are just a few of the things you should do before heading off to boot camp. You should also get all your personal affairs in order. Find someone who can pay your bills while you’re in boot camp to make things easier. There are also several items that you shouldn’t bring with you:
- Dice, playing cards, or dominoes
- Tobacco products/cigarettes
- Alcohol
- Drug paraphernalia or nonprescription drugs
- Expensive items like a laptop or jewelry
- Weapons-including pocket knives
If you take some time to prepare for boot camp, you won’t feel as stressed when it comes to packing your favorite tactical pants and other necessities in your military gear bags. Plus, you’ll be prepared for anything the military throws your way.
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