Preparation for Bootcamp

[Faith89]

I was just wondering if you moms remember how your children prepared physically for bootcamp. I am working out a lot and going to PT weekly but I was just wonder what your children did to prepare. All answers are appreciated.

[Angie Brewer]

My second son joined the navy at the age of 29. He ran every day and did other exercises. He also stopped smoking. He was in better shape then most of the "kids" that had just got out of high school. He out ran them and had no problem out doing them in PT. I think most of that is because the younger people think they are in good shape cause they are young. Just start working out and decide that you can do this!!! Cause you can! Study you DEP DVD.

[Becca, Joshua's Mom]

my son started running daily. he sometimes ran with his sisters too!

[Kathy]

My son started going to the community gym with me, he would run circles around me on the track for about 2 miles, then go ride a stationary bike for around 8 miles. We did this 3 x a week. He also attended dep meetings regularly and worked out with them. Sometimes to break the boredom we would swim instead.

[Anita Adams]

Hi Nicole,

My Son David just left for bootcamp last Sunday. His recruiter pushed him to lose weight because he signed up last Fall and was about 45lbs overweight for his height. He went on the Atkins diet for the first 4 months and lost 35lbs. Then for about two weeks or so, he didn't do much dieting but ran three times a week through the neighborhood. When he went to the recruiter's office about 3 weeks before he was to go to bootcamp, he was still 10 lbs overweight. From that point on he ate just the Atkins meal bars (one for breakfast and 1 for lunch) and then just a piece of steak or chicken for dinner. He weighed 188 on the day he took off for boot. I don't know how far you are into the preparation, but he had to pass his run before they would take him. SO running is very important! One other thing. He read the rules book over and over again until he was able to memorize everything in it and the recruiting office satff and the Officers that were visiting, were blown away by his being able to give the answers to them when nobody else in the group could. I highly recommend that you do this too, because he will be going in as an E2 which means more money!

[Becky]

Hello, My son is leaving for Bootcamp on April 7th. He has been going to the gym at our local YMCA and working out every day. My family and I have been there for him and continue to let him know we support him now and will support him throughout Bootcamp and through his Naval experience.

[Suzette]

My daughter did really well in boot camp. In fact, she was the Honor Graduate - but it wasn't easy, by any means. She was in the DEP program for the better part of a year before going in. She faithfully did the PT program and studied really, really hard. She took the Bluejackets Manual with her everywhere. Preparation, preparation, preparation. It made all the difference in how she did. Now she's preparing to go back in - but this time as an officer. She knows what she's facing and is running and doing strength training (in addition to finishing her degree and studying for the testing the Navy will put her through prior to OCS). She's planning to hire one of those "boot camp" personal trainers to fine tune her PT program. She's told me many times how hard those kids had it who just naively got off the bus without any preparation.

[susan]

My son goes in June sometime and I can't seem to get him to get his butt out there and work out. He goes to his weekly meetings but doesn't work out alot. I keep telling him it's gonna be like hitting a brick wall if he does'nt get motivated and go do it. I think in his mind he thinks he has all this time, but in reality he only has 8- 9 weeks . How hard is Navy boot camp anyway, I am kinda nervous I just want him to graduate in time, I think the other guys will think he's a wimp or whatever, What do you think?

[Anti M]

Navy boot camp isn't all that hard physically. I mean, I got through it and I'm a slow runner. I did fail a run or two, but I pushed through and graduated on time. Boot camp is very much a mental challenge. He'd better have a sense of humor!

[susan]

Yes he has a sense of humor, I guess I am just worrying too much.... All Moms do to a point right?
The time is going by fast, and before he knows it, it will be time to leave.

[ET2 Shelli]

Nicole,
When I joined, I was in pretty good shape, but like so many others...not a runner...and the push ups were mediocre at best. A friend of mine was previous Navy, (and trying to lose weight) so we started running. We ran 2 miles a couple times a week. If you can do better than the 1.5 miles, it will help you a lot! You will have to do the "real" push ups, too...so be ready for that. Depending on your age, you may be required to do less than I do, but I joined at 22 and only had to do 50 situps, 17 pushups, and run in 15:15. If you can't quite make the run time or anything else (as in short by a little bit) don't sweat it too much. You still have a while to prepare, but they will make sure you can do it before you leave boot. Good luck!!!

[Lake Charles Vicky]

Reading this has raised some questions for me. I thought boot camp was training and getting you in physical shape not something you have to pass. Can someone please tell me either where to look for the requirements or what they are?

My son works out daily but tends to keep a little more weight than he should. Partly his metabolism an partly because he played hockey for many years and no workout he can do is as good as that. His body just got used to that level of exercise. He has a problem making himself workout but most days he does. He need to know what he should prepare for. Thanks!

[Anti M]

Boot camp is as much school and studying as anything else! Recruits also have to learn how the Navy is structured, how to march, safety, weapons handling, fire fighting, tying knots, folding clothes, even how to shine their shoes and the right way to mop a floor ... some of it seems pointless, but none of it is. Sailors learn teamwork, attention to detail and personal responsibility through many activities. There is so much to learn in the service, you'd be amazed.

I tutored the other recruits in boot camp so they could pass their exams. EPO (educational petty officer), which my nephew also did when he was in boot camp! Not an actual petty officer, a recruit PO during boot camp only.