Good advice for Navy Boot Camp

[johnsbk2]

My son John posted this on his Blog in October 2007 and it is good advice for anyone going into boot camp. I thought I would share it with all of you.  

This is what my son had to say about Navy Boot Camp.

I finished Navy boot camp back on August 10th, 2007 it was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be, I think the hardest part was establishing teamwork in the division. There are so many different people from all over the U.S. and the world, not everyone is going to get along with each other. We had people yelling at each other and never getting along. We didn't really even start to come together as a team until about week 6.

One thing I really had a hard time getting use to was being bossed around and getting yelled at. I didn't take any of the yelling personally, because I know it is the job of the recruit division commanders to turn us from normal people into sailors, but still, being woken up each morning by yelling and having it continue throughout the day becomes stressful.

With that said I would like to give some good hints on how to deal with Navy boot camp. ( although some of these will apply to Army, Air Force, and Marines ).

1. Don't be sensitive

Don't take things that are said to you personally while in boot camp, even if it's by another recruit. All that does is cause you more stress. If a recruit division commander (RDC) yells at you for something just respond with "aye aye petty officer/chief" or "yes petty officer/chief". If another recruit yells at you just ignore them. If they are trying to correct you just listen to them and correct yourself.

2. Teamwork

Learn to work as part of a team. In order for a team to form everyone has to be able to have an active roll. Don't separate yourself from the others and don't let others become isolated from the group. If you see someone that isn't quite part of the team then have them help you with whatever the current task is. Another part of this is never leaving a shipmate behind. If someone is having a hard time with folding or running or push up, or anything else, then help them! I had this guy next to me at boot camp that really sucked at folding his shirts and pants. Every night I would help him with folding and make sure everything in his rack locker was organized correctly.

I believe the most common things people struggle with are swimming, running, folding, and making racks.

3. Never give up

If you give up you will never get anywhere. Just keep trying and seek help from your division (teamwork!). When you're doing the 20 minute run and you feel like you can't go anymore just keep trying. That only lasts for a little bit then you get more energy. Just slow your breathing down, and keep your current speed.

4. Take advantage of Holiday Routine (Sunday)

Every Sunday you get about 5 hours of free time. Take advantage of that. Take a break; write letters, go to church, get to know other people in your division. Letters were very important to me in boot camp. They are what kept me going. I made my dad write to me every day and I was able to respond every Sunday.

5. Attention to details

Pay attention to what you're doing. Do exactly what you're told, don't assume the RDCs mean for what they say to be interpreted a different way. This happened a lot in my division.

6. Sleep when allowed

When you're allowed to sleep actually take advantage of it, don't stay up talking to other people, you can talk at other times, use your sleeping time to regain your energy and rest. This will help A LOT.

7. Eat healthy

The galley's at boot camp offer a large variety of foods, make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. (The galley will have a salad bar in it too.) Balance you meals out make sure you have a little of everything. Here is what I did in boot camp.

1 - meat

1 - cup of milk (not before running or PT)

2 - fruits (usually a peach and a banana)

2 - vegetables (whatever they had as the main vegetables and a salad)

2 - grains Usually a roll and one of the things in the main line.

General knowledge to know before joining the navy

Before you join the navy, or before you go to boot camp, it is a good idea to know some information so you will have a bit of a head start. This information is covered in the delayed entry program, but most people (including me) never bother in learning the stuff until forced to in boot camp.

11 General Orders of a Sentry

You will be required to quote all of these at random times throughout boot camp. You are expected to know this after the processing days (p days)

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.

2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.

5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.

6. To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck, and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch only.

7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.

8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

9. To call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions.

10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.

11. To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

RTC Maxim

I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those among us who do.

Sailors Creed

I am a United States Sailor.

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.

I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

OK...need some advise here guys! I got a phone call home from my son today to inform us of the "holiday" leave! What should have been a joyous conversation, it wasn't... My son is VERY FRUSTRATED because he is in with a group of guys that seem to think this is like High School and that it is a joke, and they need to go back a few grade levels! He has done 3 days of "IT" (Intense training) already because 2 can't get it in there head that they cannot talk during "Chow"...and once because a recruits shoe came untied (that was BAD ENOUGH) but then the recruit mouthed off to the person in charge...and they ALL got in trouble...more IT and they loss a 'mail delivery day!" because of it!!!! Have to tell you that upsets me too!!! I tried my best to encourage him, to do HIS best...and that others would see him rising above it, but that didn't seem to help...he just told me "Mom, I do, but you don't understand!" He doesn't think he will graduate on time do to his whole team holding him back...when he tries to tell them 'just do what your told' they tell him to "shut the F--- Up!" Any advice from anyone that has been through this??? Also, can anyone tell me why the recruits are not allowed to drive wile on leave? I forgot to ask my son when he was on the phone! OK, I think I am done with my frustration for the night...thanks for listening!!! Anyone else from Ship 03 Div 024 PIR 12-17 get a call home today??

Thanks for listening!

Cindy

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

Oh, and another thing...not sure who said it was OK to send news clippings, jokes etc in a letter....NOT, at least not for my son!!! I sent a sports news article from the news paper about Randy Moss being FIRED to my son in a letter (standard size white envelope even), as we are from MN, and I know that would have brought a smile to his face...THEY WOULD NOT LET HIM HAVE IT...THEY TOOK IT!!! But then the 'person in charge' read the caption to the group...SERIOUSLY! What harm is it, in a sports news article???????????????????????????????

[Anti M]

Boot camp is a time when they are trying to mold civilians into military service members as quickly as possible. It takes a while for the unit to gel, and some of them don't "get it" as quickly as others. The IT provides intense pressure on them in order to get their shipmates to all get squared away. Believe me, the troublemakers get a load of grief from the other recruits. I know, they tell him to shut up, I'm guessing he isn't in one of the recruit leadership positions. At this halfway point, they haven't got the message that they all are leaders, they are part of a unit, and they all must work together. They should get it together soon.

Losing their mail privilege is pretty stern, but it does mean that they will pay attention. The real goofballs will get set back, it is rare and unusual for an entire division not to pass. Tell him to hang in there. Yeah, they always tell every division they're the worst ones ever. Mean, but a great motivator.

Some of the RDCs do not like outside distractions for their men and women. Others are more relaxed. He may just have a strict chief or PO in charge. It happens. "If you have enough time to read comics, you have enough time to insert chore or task here."

New sailors out of boot camp have just come out of a very intense mental and physical situation. You have no idea what it is like, I've been there and can't explain it exactly. Privileges must be re-earned, they aren't civilians free do do as they wish now. There will be a long set of rules, and this includes no driving. Also, new sailors often have rusty driving skills, and the no driving rule may be linked to a time when there were several fatalities. The Navy doesn't always explain its ways.

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

Thank you so much Anti M!! I know all that to be true...He just sounds so frustrated, and me 'feeling helpless' at home, is hard!!! He said one kid actually left the marching line (as he was being singled out and yelled at) and said some choice words that he "was done with this F------ B--- sh----" and went and packed his things, The RDC encouraged him to do so. The "Chief" in charge stepped in and talked him out of it, but apparently if the kid would have left, they would of had him arrested for 'leaving without permission" (don't know the correct Naval terminology)! But once again they ALL had 1 1/2 hrs. of IT for it! My son is the " Laundry Petty Officer"...I'm not sure if that is what you were talking about as a " Recruit leadership position?" And they still don't listen to him. My son said...he tries to help this one in particular recruit...and he always looks at him with a stupid stair like he is not comprehending what he is telling him at all...perhaps just overwhelmed!!! He also said most have NO CLUE what the General Orders of a Sentry are...nor the Sailors Creed. I would guess that means they had a bad recruiter...our recruiter was on my son every week to know them and during their DEP meetings...they all worked on it.

To Cricke'ts mom...I encourage you to go to YouTube and search Battle Station 21 CNN, and watch all the video's out there regarding Boot-Camp! It was a great help to me, although I didn't watch them with my son prior to him leaving, I SO WISH I WOULD HAVE! It puts you both on the same page when you are still able to talk to one another instantly :)!!!

Thanks again for listening!

Cindy

[Anti M]

I had a week of DEP, so I had to learn my orders and such on the fly. I was supposed to have a good long while, but a seat came open unexpectedly. Lucky for me, I'm really good at memorizing quickly, huh? Even with a long DEP, some recruits won't bother to learn what they have been given to study. They do not understand these are real orders they must not only learn, but obey.

The laundry PO collects the dirty laundry, counts and records what he has collected, and makes sure it gets to the main laundry. When it comes back, he makes sure it is all there and returns it to each recruit. Every piece has a name or a set of initials on it, except for socks, which are in net ditty bags (the bags have initials). They just wash the whole bag of socks.

When I went through, we lost a couple girls because they could not learn and take the written tests. I felt very bad, I was the Educational PO, and was responsible to tutor those who needed it. I just couldn't make them learn, and my tricks and ways to study didn't make a dent.

We got a girl set back to us. She would NOT take a shower, and her uniform was always a mess. What the other recruits in charge did to her one night wasn't pretty. It involved the big floor scrub brushes and a lot of yelling behind closed doors to the head. No one ever told our RDC, but I doubt she'd have done much. She used to send that girl away to sickcall when we had inspections. She did not graduate.

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

Thank you Anti M....Yes I guess all recruits come from different 'enrollment stages' ...with little time! My son took it seriously from day one...a year ago! Which I am sure is adding to his frustration at this time!!!
Very interesting stuff and helpfull that you wrote! WOW, is all I got to say...I will continue to encourage him with helpful tips I learn here...Thanks again SO MUCH!!!!

Cindy

[lisalove8465]

what do you mean they can't drive on leave..? so as long as they are in the Navy, 5 years, 10 years,etc.... when they are on leave.. they can't drive.. ever??.. I am confused... or is it when they are just on leave from Boot camp?

[mamabeth]

Cindy if you will copy the news articles on copy paper then it doesn't seem to raise any flags ....that's what I did as well as other moms in my sons divison back in the summer and there was never a problem was just liked a typed letter(pull the articles off the internet & print) ....also make sure the envelops are not thick 2-3 pages....I think there is always 1 or 2 in each division that just does not get it....I know your son is frustrated but just keep being positive for him....in the end it will work out for the ones that are serious about being there.....tell him not to get frustrated to the point that he puts himself in a position that could cause him trouble....there are people from 18 to 25+ years of age and all walks of life at bootcamp....many go in very immature & scared and just do not how to handle the situation but if they make it through bootcamp they will come out a different person ....it sounds like your son really has a good head on his shoulders so tell him to just keep doing what he knows he should do....as stressfull as this time is for moms just think what it must be like for the recruits...hang in there for him with positive thoughts and stay close to the NavyforMoms site as it will get you through bootcamp....

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

Thank you Mamabeth....This is what I resorted to do (copy and pasteing from the internet)...praying they won't notice and get him in trouble! Yes, my son has a great head on his shoulders and is mature for his age, and will do what it takes to get him through, and pull the rest with him if needed...I have no doubt! It is just the 'helpless mom' syndrome...to let him go, and be the man he needs to be :)! Back home his friends and family dubbed him the "Golden Retriever"...BECAUSE...He is a loyal/true friend, honest and true...does what is asked of him without complaining and always their when you need him!! He has always made me proud, and being a Navy recruit is no different :)!!!

God Bless us all!

Cindy

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

Hello LadyHawk! Yes, my son graduated Boot Camp 12/17 as a much more refined, polite mannered young man with sanity in tact ;) but very ill...a horrible bug ran through BC, and a lot of the new sailors all came home sick for the Holidays :(!  He was home for 1 1/2 days but spent it in bed, very sick :( !!  He is now in Pensacola, FL  in Aviation training until March/April...graduation date from "A School" is still up in the air! He is loving it!!

 

Good luck to your son...stay in touch! Tell him to pack his patience for Boot Camp, and start studying now if he hasn't already...and he will do just fine. God Bless him, and tell him I said "thank you" as well!!

 

Cindy

[Cricket's mom]

I will pass this on. My daughter doesnt leave until March and it has not hit me yet. Its not really real just yet. I hope she will listen to all the excellent advise given here!
Be strong all!

[Cindy in Snowy MN]

.I encourage you to go to YouTube and search Battle Station 21 CNN, and watch all the video's out there regarding Boot-Camp! It was a great help to me, although I didn't watch them with my son prior to him leaving, I SO WISH I WOULD HAVE! It puts you both on the same page when you are still able to talk to one another instantly :)!!!

Good luck to you and your Daughter, we have raised such brave and admirable children!

Cindy