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.

[Dimetria]

Thank you so much for your help Angie! I've been in DEP for about 9 months now. I'm fit but not in shape. I can do my sit ups and make the run but the push ups are hell for me. I leave for boot cam tomorrow morning. I'm really nervous. my friend's been sending me letters(she left for bootcamp in september) about what to and not to do and what's going on and what to expect. My stomach is churning like crazy! I can't wait to get there!

[Dana]

My daughter did absolutely no physical fitness before she joined the Navy. After that, she studied and ran every day. Her recruiter also spent 2/3 days a week working on strength and conditioning at the local Y. She was also required to attend DEP meetings once a week. The more you know and the more you are physically prepared for, the better off you will be in boot camp. If you don't prepare ahead of time you will be required to completely transform into sailor in just eight short weeks. Good luck and thank you for your service to our country.

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Dimetria, push ups are hell for me too. :P I'm sure you'll rise to the occasion and "getter' done. You are as prepared as you can be and you are fortunate to have had some first hand heads up from your friend. :) Take a few deep breaths to squelch those butterflies. :-) The most important thing is to listen up, keep your lips zipped unless asked to speak, obey orders promptly and work hard to be the best Recruit and Teammate you can be. Being mentally prepared is as important as being physically prepared, maybe more.

You have to keep your head about you and remain focused and determined, eye on the goal, no matter what. You may get homesick or frustrated, sick or injured, even ask yourself "what was I thinking?!?" but you will also find yourself sometimes having lots of fun and in the end, you will be glad you saw it all through and be so very proud to be wearing the uniform of a US Navy Sailor. 8>] I wish you all the best and hopefully we'll see an update post from you in oh, about 8-10 weeks time, after you once again have access to technology. :-) Fair Winds and Following Seas to you, Faith89 and all the rest of our Navy Recruits...soon to be Sailors! God Bless.

[Arwen]

My son has been running every other day, and doing push-ups whenever he gets in trouble, to get him used to the idea. When he can't do regular pushups anymore, he goes to his knees (girly push ups) and continues until he can't do those either. It's working. When we started that regimen last month he could barely do 20, but now he does 40.

He has been neglecting the sit-ups though.

He has also been studying his DEP book. He's determined to make E-2 when he hits boot camp (if recruits can pass the physical and knowledge test when they arrive they get an instant promotion), and E-3 before he leaves A-school.