Survive Boot Camp!

Get Into Shape And Stay Healthy.

Although the physical part of boot camp is not necessarily the hardest one, it can make the experience a lot more difficult. So come prepared. Work out before. Follow an appropriate training regimen (you can find plenty online), build up your strength, do sit-ups, practice push-ups (you’ll do a lot of push-ups), run a lot. If you’re unfit when you arrive at camp, you’ll make a bad first impression on the drill sergeants and if you can’t keep up, you’ll be singled out. Even worse, if you don’t meet the minimum requirements, you’ll have to work hard to reach them, which means extra time in boot camp, which nobody needs.

If you don’t meet those standards, you will be put on a physical training routine until you do. This means spending weeks or months more at basic training. The better shape you are in the easier boot camp will be. A balanced and proper diet also does the trick to keep a sound mind and a vigorous body.

Bring Your Game Face.

Remember that nothing is actually personal. Don’t take basic training personal, it’s the instructor’s job to stress you out. It is all part of the game. The winner knows this in advance.

Take it the other way around that it is as if it can be the greatest time of your life. Don’t show emotion, don’t be a wimp. Checking on your attitude is also a key to surviving the training as well as the inevitable pressure and stress you may encounter once you’re in. The mean instructors and drill sergeants are trying to teach you things because they may end up saving your life down the road.

Demonstrate The Qualities Of A Leader.

Almost as soon as you arrive, the drill instructors will start sniffing around to figure out who has the potential to be a leader. You should try to be that person. Don’t wait until you’re told the following things, do them from the start. Speak loud and clear, obey orders quickly and willingly, even if you have no idea why you’re doing something. If you see another recruit breaking the rules, speak up. When you’re the leader, you’ll be responsible for them as well, so better show them that you mean business. Do the cliche of “Back straight, chin held high”. Never, ever show that you’re lazy, disheveled or untrustworthy.

Hence, You Should Know Your Limitations And Boundaries.

Be careful what you wish for. If you stand out, you can reap both the rewards and the problems that come with that. Unlikely as it may be, if you are asked to accept a position of leadership, say, as a squad leader, what you’re really getting is more responsibilities. You won’t have just yourself to worry about but also the performance of the men under your command.

Be A Team Player.

Since the boot camp is practically a team sport, you need to not be a loner. Make friends with the people you’ll be stuck with. Make sure that you make the most out of your social skills. Your team will be living, eating, sleeping, fighting and perhaps even dying with you. It’s never too early to learn to function as a cohesive unit, as forging a team spirit is a huge part of boot camp. If you act like a solitary figure, boot camp will chew you up and spit you out. Your focus must always be on the group and not on the individual if you want to make it.

Learn How To Listen.

As they say, “Shut Up and Listen” works perfectly fine during boot camp training. The general idea is that recruits should not be heard unless the instructors want to hear them. Or if you prefer, when it comes to the drill instructors, don’t speak unless spoken to. Be a learner who is more than willing to acquire the skills, enhance his potentials, and take it from his mentors.

A Piece of Advice

Ladies and gentlemen, keep in mind that Boot Camp is 80 percent mental, and 20 percent physical. Don’t get discouraged or give in to the temptation to give up. Remember that quitting is never an option. Don’t look too far ahead and stay focused on the task at hand. Good luck!