enterprise2004: At least PT will be in doors, but I'll have to still walk from building to building. How did you like boot? What's your rate?
nondeplumage: I was a nuke. Worked with the nuclear reactors. Science is fun.
You only have to walk from building to building if you wind up in the old barracks (which I did; oh joy). If you wind up in the new barracks, I think pretty much everything is in the same building, except for the gym where you go running.
Bootcamp wasn't terrible, but here's some advice: don't argue about anything, don't get involved in any of the other recruit's stupid little dramas they bring with their attitudes, and just keep yourself squared away. Shave well, check your uniform to make sure it's on straight, and don't worry about showering with 80 other guys at once. Also, the toilet stalls don't have doors.
And the better physical shape you're in, the easier your time will be. I'd highly recommend building up your pushups, especially staying in the pushup position for a minute at a time; if the RDCs get pissed, they tend to make everyone do pushups or mountain climbers or bupers. Look those up or ask your recruiter about what those are, and get good at them, especially being able to pause in position for a long time.
Other than that, it gets over quickly. You'll spend a lot of time in classes, and get a Navy Federal Credit Union account instead of an Armed Forces one.
And whatever you do, if you're like leaving home for the first time and aren't used to handling money, whatever you do, don't spend your whole paycheck every two weeks. Get an ING Direct online account, invest in the TSP, and be very very smart about your money. Don't go out and buy a $20,000 car, don't go out drinking every weekend.
Science is fun! I'm going Nuke as well!
Yeah, I was already planning to just keep my mouth shut and only speak when spoken to. The showering doesn't bother me, I go to the YMCA so I'm already use to dressing and showering around other people. Now the toilet stalls, that may take some getting use to.
I will definitely take your advice on the pushups, mountain climbers, and bupers. I've been working out regularly, so that way I'll be in great condition when the time comes. I had already done research on the bank accounts, and was planning on getting a Nay Federal account.
I feel like I'm going to be an old man though when I go, I'll be 22, I've worked a full time office job, and I've been living on my own since last November. But I've learned a lot during that time, so I think it will help my time in boot camp go smoothly.
Thanks for the advice!
And so this isn't completely off topic, I'm not excited for Modern Warfare 3. I'm looking forward to ARMA 3 though because it's more involved and you have to think before you act, instead of run and gun.
