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.

[LeAnna ( Mark's Mom)]

My son went to the "Y". They made available to him lots of work out classes and the swimming pool.. My son has been gone a week to boot camp I finally got a letter yesterday. " was so happy" But, to pass the time I went to my local recreation center and started a "boot camp" class for myself, (Mom) it lasts for 4 weeks.. I can hardly move but it gave me an idea of what my son was going thru, but of course he is 20 years younger.. I recommend it to all Moms..

[Frieda]

(friedas son) just run 1-2 miles everyother day work on your pushups and situps and the cold doesnt matter nor the heat because freedom hall is a controled tempature gym that has a dry climate. its the same temp year around.

[Christine]

Nicole, my son was not a runner, so I bought him a treadmill. He ran everyday to build up his tolerance. He also did sit-ups and push-ups everyday. It really seemed to help him as he passed by the skin of his teeth! He graduated April 3rd and is still stationed at Great Lakes for A school medic training. They continue to do PT there everyday to maintain their fitness. Good luck, and keep me posted on how it goes! Christine

[Sheri - Mom of Sailor Zack]

My son signed up for two PE classes at school this semester. He has both a weight lifting class and a cardio class. He leaves in July for Bootcamp but at this point he can already do all of the physical stuff that is required to pass BC. Luckily he has always been fairly active. Recently he also started running on his own in the evenings a couple times a week and as his boot camp date gets closer, will start running more often. At his last DEP meeting he ran his mile and a half in 9.22 minutes so he was feeling pretty good about that. He is up to 3 miles at a time distance running too.

[rosanne]

mom to sailor pennington hes graduating 4-24-09 ,i talked to him a week before graduation ,they just recieved their
caps .everyone tired they had to stay up 24 hours alot of guys sick,but he said they didnt do as much running as he thought they would.so tell your son to do alot of everything not just running.good luck

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Hey Sheri, your son should feel pretty good about that run time! My son was in track all through High school, plus did weight training and other conditioning. He was still in top shape when he went to BC after two years of college and no track or formal athletics. He was a sprinter though, so the longer distance was a challenge for him. In BC he came in first in his Div of 80 Recruits with a time of 9:30. In A school (he's a Corpsman and you are responsible for making time to work out and train there, they don't do much formal PT, but they do test you regularly) he got it down to 8:58, running in combat boots and full utilities! =)

He recently took his PFT again to try and qualify for the SEALS... he got it down to 8:29 and he said he wasn't running all out. They told him that qualifies as an exceptional score and statistically improves his chances of being successful as a SEAL. So, hard work can really pay off and help you reach your goals, far beyond BC. Both Male and Female Sailors should strive to keep up a high level of fitness throughout their time serving. Never know when and where you'll need to use and benefit from all your training! :-)

[Rosemarie]

My son was working out to the PX-90 that sells off the t.v. He really loved that. On top of his own running he would go to my workout bootcamp classes with me, the trainer is an ex-female boxer here where I live. She didn't charge him anything since she gives all military free training.

[Eileen W]

My son just went in and he worked out for 6 months prior to his departure. He went online and looked to see what the PT test were and then worked to exceed them. He took it slow and worked up until he went from being slim at 150 lbs to being built at 175 lbs. He also learned the call letters, sailors creed, ranks and insignia.

[Gary Fremouw]

Physically, I'd say run often. Too many of my shipmates had problems passing their run pfa. Find out what scores you need to get to pass. Its not that hard as long as you are in decent shape. Its just push-ups, sit-ups and a 1.5 mile run. For me the general orders really came in handy. Find the chain of command as it pertains to boot camp. From President of the United States all the way down to the Commanding Officer of Recruit Training Command. Rank and recognition too. If you have that information memorized when you get there, you will be weeks ahead of everyone else. Also there is a copy of the guide to boot camp written by former RDC's that you can get online for like ten bucks. It talks about folding clothes and stuff. That would help too. Basically remember, no matter how much you think you don't know, there will definately be someone that knows less.

[Faith89]

Thank you Gary! That really helps and I definitely will look up that book your talking about it sounds helpful. I only have half the general orders memorized so far but I'm workin on it. I do have the sailors creed and phonetic alphabet memorized too.

[Sean]

I'm actually preparing for bootcamp, although i haven't seen a recruiter yet (going today). I've memorized 5 of the general orders so far, working on my run, push ups, and sit ups. Always good to be prepared :D. Good luck to you

[KelliB]

It sounds like oyou're doing all the right things. Keep up the good work.