Basic

[Apollo]

So I am two weeks away from hitting up the Great Lakes for basic training.

What should I really expect from basic. Like what happens day to day, and how is it during the winter months? I have never really been above Southern California and I have lived in Houston, Tx my entire life.

[CVal]

Hey apollo! Thanks for signing up. You will be issued the gear you need for the weather. It's been in the 50s the past few weeks. Expect it to gradually become cooler as we move into November. It's not unusual to get snow in November, but it usually doesn't start really piling up until late November or into December.

Check out the Weather Channel web site for zip code 60088 during the next two weeks to get an idea of what it'll be like. You could go hang out in the fridge of the local restaurant to get a feel for the weather! ;)

[smarg]

Expect to be challenged, expect rigid rules, expect physical training, and do your best.

Then, see the world.

[Apollo]

Could you tell me how the base assignment goes? I am going in for hospital corpsman, and I understand that those A schools are being moved to Texas. Will be there by January? And do they really take into consideration the preference for the base you want when you put down your choices?

I kind of want to be stationed overseas. Possibly in Tokyo, Japan. I would love to go to Turkey, but I think there is only an AF base there, sooooo.

Also, what should I really be studying before I went? I didn't get a DEP book because there is no money to buy anymore allegedly, so what should I brush up on?

And thanks for the info so far

[CVal]

Sorry, Apollo, I can't answer your non-weather-related questions.

[navgrl74]

Could you tell me how the base assignment goes? I am going in for hospital corpsman, and I understand that those A schools are being moved to Texas. Will be there by January? And do they really take into consideration the preference for the base you want when you put down your choices?

I kind of want to be stationed overseas. Possibly in Tokyo, Japan. I would love to go to Turkey, but I think there is only an AF base there, sooooo.

Also, what should I really be studying before I went? I didn't get a DEP book because there is no money to buy anymore allegedly, so what should I brush up on?

And thanks for the info so far

The Corps School will not be moved to Texas until sometime 2011 so you will stay there for your A school.


I can tell you this. If you pass Hospital Corps "A" school, as a male you should prepare for the fact that you will be sent after graduation straight to Field Med School (8404). If that happens your chances of getting overseas orders are slimmer unless you get a Marine Unit out of Okinawa or Iwakuni.

The way it used to be with pick of orders out of school was where you were in the line up. Top of the class had first picks. Now things are different. It's the needs of the Navy.

[ElectricElvis]

Welcome aboard, Apollo!

I went to boot camp in Great Lakes from November to January, and "A" school on the same base as your corps-school.

It will be cold. And windy. When you get your new uniforms during week two or three, your legs will chap at the inseam, so take a small bottle of lotion. (think airline carry-on size). It will save your sanity. You will freeze, no matter what the assigned uniform of the day is. Alternately, when you get inside, you will probably also freeze, because those barracks are never more than 68 degrees. Do not sleep between your sheets; just use a blanket. Otherwise you'll have to remake your rack, and you won't have time to do it credibly before they start you on your new day.

Don't worry about the DEP book. It's just a head start on the stuff you'll learn there. There is nothing in the DEP book that you won't be taught during boot camp.

Make sure you wear tidy-whities (or plain white granny panties and sports bras for us girls) to report for duty. Otherwise, they'll make you change your underwear and send the dirty scivvies home to your parents. Embarrassing.

If you wear contacts, leave them home. Take your glasses, for graduation and photos, but Red Rover medical will make you a pair of glasses for while you are there. These special glasses are almost indestructible. They are also ugly. Resign yourself.

Corps-school is long. Worry about that first, then worry about where you're going to be stationed. Everything one step at a time. Boot camp, A school, possibly a C school (if they offer you one, TAKE IT!).

I'll be happy to answer any other questions you have, although it might take me a couple of days.

[Yggdrasil]

When I went through boot camp 10 years ago, it didn't matter if you slept between the sheets or not, because we had bunk drills where we had to strip our racks every morning anyway. I would think that that's one thing that wouldn't change.

[ElectricElvis]

We only did bunk drills three times a week, and usually after lunch. Since the compartment was open for inspections while we were gone for chow (including breakfast), we had to have our racks neatly made at all times.

We did not sleep between our sheets. Except, sometimes, on Saturday night, since we had all of holiday routine on Sunday to fix them.

[Apollo]

Thanks for all the info so far. I have never slept between the sheets, so that won't really be a problem for me. I do toss and turn a lot, but I figure once we get into the roll of things, I will be in dead sleeps in one position all night from exhaustion.

After basic, and in A school, do we get to ship our personal stuff to us whereever we are?

[ElectricElvis]

After "A" school, you will be given an opportunity to return home on leave. I recommend limiting what you take with you to what will fit in two seabags and your garment bag. Other than that, any civvies you want to wear during "A" school you will either have to buy or have mailed to you in care of your barracks. Your barracks can give you your address for while you are there.

You will have lots of liberty time during "A" school. There is a train between the two bases that runs into downtown Chicago. I highly recommend going and seeing anything you have an interest in (museums, art galleries, etc.) while you are there. The other main liberty option is Gurnee Mills. There is a Six Flags (which will be cold and wet most of the time you are there) and a huge mall. Gurnee Mills is mainly good for spending your scarce E-1 cash. Watch those cab drivers, though. Some of them overcharge. If you just want to hole up for a weekend off base, go out to the Extended Stay America in Vernon Hills. It's $50 a night for military, and it's quiet, and the rooms are nice and clean, and include dishes. It's also right across the street from a McDonalds. Just make sure you have a cab service lined up to take you back at least an hour prior to liberty expiration. Takes them forever to get there.

One last thing: ween yourself off of caffiene, alcohol and nicotine now. You will not be allowed those during boot camp. Just a warning. Also, no drinking or smoking is permitted on boot camp graduation liberty, either. Basically, you're not going to be allowed to drink until you are in "A" school (and 21, of course). You can start smoking again (if you smoke, that is; personally, if you do, I recommend you take the headstart on quiting) as soon as you get to "A" school.

[Apollo]

After "A" school, you will be given an opportunity to return home on leave. I recommend limiting what you take with you to what will fit in two seabags and your garment bag. Other than that, any civvies you want to wear during "A" school you will either have to buy or have mailed to you in care of your barracks. Your barracks can give you your address for while you are there.

You will have lots of liberty time during "A" school. There is a train between the two bases that runs into downtown Chicago. I highly recommend going and seeing anything you have an interest in (museums, art galleries, etc.) while you are there. The other main liberty option is Gurnee Mills. There is a Six Flags (which will be cold and wet most of the time you are there) and a huge mall. Gurnee Mills is mainly good for spending your scarce E-1 cash. Watch those cab drivers, though. Some of them overcharge. If you just want to hole up for a weekend off base, go out to the Extended Stay America in Vernon Hills. It's $50 a night for military, and it's quiet, and the rooms are nice and clean, and include dishes. It's also right across the street from a McDonalds. Just make sure you have a cab service lined up to take you back at least an hour prior to liberty expiration. Takes them forever to get there.

One last thing: ween yourself off of caffiene, alcohol and nicotine now. You will not be allowed those during boot camp. Just a warning. Also, no drinking or smoking is permitted on boot camp graduation liberty, either. Basically, you're not going to be allowed to drink until you are in "A" school (and 21, of course). You can start smoking again (if you smoke, that is; personally, if you do, I recommend you take the headstart on quiting) as soon as you get to "A" school.
Oh wow, thanks for all that info. I luckily don't smoke or drink (not too hard at least) so that won't hurt me. I will suck for those who do though.

I will remember those routes into Chicago and Vernon Hills, that should be interesting. I haven't really been too far outside of Texas and California.

I should hopefully be E-2 by the time I go to basic, so that will be awesome for my cash flow. lol

[CVal]

Good ideas, Electric Elvis. I will also suggest the USO right on base. They have a variety of groups tours, as well as stuff to do right there, including TV game rooms, computers, small library, music room, art room....

They also do what's called a "No-Dough" dinner. Yup, the night before payday, they have a free dinner for anyone who shows up. The building is just past the bridge, right inside the main gate.

[ElectricElvis]

Good ideas, Electric Elvis. I will also suggest the USO right on base. They have a variety of groups tours, as well as stuff to do right there, including TV game rooms, computers, small library, music room, art room....

They also do what's called a "No-Dough" dinner. Yup, the night before payday, they have a free dinner for anyone who shows up. The building is just past the bridge, right inside the main gate.

Yep, and it's just as close as the base Bowling Alley. It is kind of small, though. There's a base bus that runs about every hour or so; keep your eye out for the bus stops, and take note of when you see it there. Once you get on it, ask the driver, and they will tell you when they run. It'll drop you at the commisary off base, or the exchange on base. It also has a stop right across from the base McDonald's.

[SWOFish]

Definitely take the chance to get stationed in Yokosuka Japan (closest base to Tokyo) if you can. Aside from being an amazing chance to see the world, including most all of the liberty ports over in SE Asia, it can do wonders for your career.

Remember though, even as an HM, sailors belong on ships...

Welcome aboard shipmate!

[Pollywog]

It's fun man. No big deal really. Just do what the RDC's tell you too. Don't screw anything up. Keep everything clean and enjoy yourself. It's something you only experience once.
You show up as a group of ragtag individuals and over the months they create a group of badass sailors outta you guys.
Bootcamp is really nothing to worry about unless you're a complete weakling. You're from Texas though. Should be fine.