What happens at bootcamp - Day-per-Day? (Up to week #6)

[blessing]

Question,i have just a month to get ready for bootcamp and i dont know how to swim,how will this affect me?

[sweetmtn]

Dont really worry about that...they will teach you.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by blessing

Question,i have just a month to get ready for bootcamp and i dont know how to swim,how will this affect me?

Blessing - What I'd recommend is calling the YMCA and see if they have a basic swimming class you can join. I think your problem will be the fear of water. So go there and ask for help. You'll be glad you did.
Secondly, it's not so much of swimming, it's more of floating. Learn to float.

[sailor_redfern]

I cannot thank you enough for all this information. Now all I have to do is study it all! It's just SO much information for us to soak up. How hard will it be for us to soak up everything they give us in boot camp? I just want to be on top of my game so that I won't be set back a week or so.

To prepare I have been going on walks, and running on the track. Also I am memorizing the 11 general orders, and the Sailor's Creed. Then I have been up to the range to practice shooting with my pistol. What other things would you recommend that I should practice in advanced for boot camp?

[miken101]

hi i grad sept28 from bcamp and everything sounds good and on point..actually surprised you remember so much of it lol but you left out one important part of your arrival at great lakes and the first night..staying awake!lol they keep you up for close to 48 hrs without sleep and make you hydrate every 10-15 min or so to keep you awake. so its very very very important to sleep the night before at the hotel before you ship. The simplest things they told us to do, like stamping our name seemed confusing because we hadnt sleept and were under stress being yelled at. Uusally you make yourself a target during bcamp that first night because they zero in on you if you do things wrong. The first night was a nightmare but make sure to sleep before.

[LSsquillace]

How is Illinois in July?

[LT Guppy]

Originally Posted by LSsquillace

How is Illinois in July?

It can get hot and humid.

[LSsquillace]

Originally Posted by Guppy2010

It can get hot and humid.

Oh great... That's when I go to rtc

[Tasha360]

OMG this was the best read ever! Thanks so much Craig!

[stevebw]

Originally Posted by LSsquillace

Oh great... That's when I go to rtc

Luckily Chicago doesn't get as hot as AZ would, I imagine. Nothing to worry about!

[LSsquillace]

Originally Posted by stevebw

Luckily Chicago doesn't get as hot as AZ would, I imagine. Nothing to worry about!

In July it's hitting about 95 degrees, but like 15 to 20% humidity

[Aggiegirl94]

What does stamping mean?

[HMHunt]

Originally Posted by Aggiegirl94

What does stamping mean?

Stamping is putting your name and division on all of your items.

[DarkAngel77]

This is AWESOMEEE!!!! Thank you for posting this. :D

[Tracy]

Originally Posted by LSsquillace

How is Illinois in July?

Actually, this year temps were well over 100 some days but as long as you keep hydrated, you should be fine.

[LSsquillace]

Originally Posted by Tracy

Actually, this year temps were well over 100 some days but as long as you keep hydrated, you should be fine.

Okay well at least I'm used to heat lol

[CB]

How's the weather in April?

[LT Guppy]

Originally Posted by CB

How's the weather in April?

Probably still a bit chilly. And windy.

[cakers00]

Originally Posted by Guppy2010

Probably still a bit chilly. And windy.

But we will miss the winter and then the heat and humidity. All my friends are jealous I am going in April b/c they all went during the summer or winter.

[SN-Madman]

Originally Posted by CB

How's the weather in April?

I shipped last April 10th. It was not too bad, really. It was cool, but not freezing, and then near graduation, it was warm, but not too hot. I'd say it was the best time to go, IMHO.

[CB]

Originally Posted by cakers00

But we will miss the winter and then the heat and humidity. All my friends are jealous I am going in April b/c they all went during the summer or winter.

Yea, my friends told me the weather will be perfect for outdoor activities. yay!!

[CB]

Originally Posted by SN-Madman

I shipped last April 10th. It was not too bad, really. It was cool, but not freezing, and then near graduation, it was warm, but not too hot. I'd say it was the best time to go, IMHO.

Yay! Thanks for the info!

[Sail_la_Vie]

what exactly happens at medical in RTC? do you have to stand in your undies again and do all duck walk, tippy toes, and all that silly stuff?

[3rdGenSailor]

A couple questions..
1.) Where is the slideshow explaining what each coin is for?
2.) Do I just volunteer to try out for the best swimming qualification?
3.)How is the weather during late Jan-late March?
4.)Where can I find the challenge coin(unless it's any of them) where I flash mine and if someone else in the military doesn't have theirs, they buy a round of drinks?

[LT Guppy]

Originally Posted by 3rdGenSailor

4.)Where can I find the challenge coin(unless it's any of them) where I flash mine and if someone else in the military doesn't have theirs, they buy a round of drinks?

It's any challenge coin. You'll receive them throughout your career.

[3rdGenSailor]

Originally Posted by Guppy2010

It's any challenge coin. You'll receive them throughout your career.

Good haha

[geeMA]

Originally Posted by Sail_la_Vie

what exactly happens at medical in RTC? do you have to stand in your undies again and do all duck walk, tippy toes, and all that silly stuff?

you get shots, a lot of shots. there is no duck walk.

[Nevada Bigfoot]

Thank you for the detailed timeline of what to expect in bootcamp. My daughter left Monday. We got the 15 second call on Wednesday. It is nice to be able to look at the timeline and get an idea of what her day will be like. Thank you from a grateful mom.

[3rdGenSailor]

Can anyone just ask to get the best swim qual we can? I'm a good swimmer though you can't tell looking at me..

[FutureND]

Originally Posted by 3rdGenSailor

Can anyone just ask to get the best swim qual we can? I'm a good swimmer though you can't tell looking at me..

I'm pretty sure it depends on your job and what swim qual is needed for it.

[Haasino]

Originally Posted by 3rdGenSailor

Can anyone just ask to get the best swim qual we can? I'm a good swimmer though you can't tell looking at me..

After you pass your Class III, they'll ask if anyone wants to try for the Class II... you've gotta have perfect form on the strokes though or they'll tell you to hit the showers.

[3rdGenSailor]

Originally Posted by Haasino

After you pass your Class III, they'll ask if anyone wants to try for the Class II... you've gotta have perfect form on the strokes though or they'll tell you to hit the showers.

Whay strokes do they want?

[Haasino]

Originally Posted by 3rdGenSailor

Whay strokes do they want?

- American Crawl (Freestyle)
- Breast Stroke
- Sidestroke
- Elementary Backstroke

They have you hop in at the far end and swim about 10yds doing the breast stroke and sidestroke before you test; if it's not 100% perfect, they kick you out and send you to shower off.

[3rdGenSailor]

Originally Posted by Haasino

- American Crawl (Freestyle)
- Breast Stroke
- Sidestroke
- Elementary Backstroke

They have you hop in at the far end and swim about 10yds doing the breast stroke and sidestroke before you test; if it's not 100% perfect, they kick you out and send you to shower off.

I know how to do those, but maybe not perfect do they show you how are expect you to get it from the get go

[pchamb1991]

on Weapons computer based training. You complete the course and print out the certificate. You must score 100%.

Is it considered passing if you miss 3 questions on this test

[NavyGuyRob]

this was the best info ever...thanks!!

[PacificSunrise]

I ship next week, this has been really helpful. Ive been reading it over and over so many times.

[Gienass]

Hey, thanks for the information, this is sooo useful!!

BUT, could anyone tell me more details about Fit For Full Duty stuff? What exactly do they check? Dental was done at MEPS, what else are they looking for?

[cire]

Originally Posted by Gienass

Hey, thanks for the information, this is sooo useful!!

BUT, could anyone tell me more details about Fit For Full Duty stuff? What exactly do they check? Dental was done at MEPS, what else are they looking for?

Everything. What do you have to hide?

[prop827]

Originally Posted by 3rdGenSailor

I know how to do those, but maybe not perfect do they show you how are expect you to get it from the get go

Yes, they will explain the strokes and show them to you on a powerpoint (true navy style) before you even change for the pool. If you do strokes incorrectly you will be told to fix it and then told to switch to the backstroke the rest of the way. (For the third class swim)

2nd class swim the strokes must be perfect as per the same powerpoint or you are done.

[prop827]

Originally Posted by Guppy2010

It's any challenge coin. You'll receive them throughout your career.

Challenge coins are really cool, but tradition dictates you can't buy one for yourself, they have to be presented/awarded to you by someone. If you are at a bar and someone challenges you, you need to show your coin, if you don't have a coin, you're buying. If everyone has a coin, then the person with the lowest coin is buying (based on the rank of the person who awarded you the coin, so if you get one from the CNO you are golden haha).

[Gienass]

Originally Posted by cire

Everything. What do you have to hide?

Nothing to hide, i just like to be educated, i'm really serious about career in the NAVY and i want to be fully prepared, i'm taking ASVAB on thursday and then should get scheduled for MEPS.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a spot at MEPS and then average Leave for BootCamp, i'm soo excited, just worried that they will find something that will disqualify me. I guess i just worry too much.

[Auridan]

Originally Posted by Gienass

Nothing to hide, i just like to be educated, i'm really serious about career in the NAVY and i want to be fully prepared, i'm taking ASVAB on thursday and then should get scheduled for MEPS.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a spot at MEPS and then average Leave for BootCamp, i'm soo excited, just worried that they will find something that will disqualify me. I guess i just worry too much.

Your MEPS date depends entirely on your recruiter's willingness to bust his own ass, your persistence in reminding him to do so, and how many other people in your area are in the pipeline with you. I got MEPS done 11 days after the ASVAB, and that was after a delay because the MEPS was trading at heavy volume at the time.

As for your ship date, that likewise depends on your rating and how crowded it is. When you sign your contract, they're scheduling you for boot camp and your rating's required schools all at once, and locking in that amount of time means a bit of a wait beforehand. Expect a couple months at least. Some ratings get you moved a lot faster, but make sure you don't pick based on that unless you really want to do THAT job. Good news is this: When you sign your contract and DEP in, you are a member of the Inactive Reserve, and your contract clearly states that if nothing else happens, you WILL be ordered to active duty in 1 year.

Tip: At MEPS, don't make them "find" things to DQ you for...if there's something big lurking in your record, tell them. Disclose everything. They can forgive a lot of things, but you have to offer them up.

[sweetmtn]

Originally Posted by prop827

Challenge coins are really cool, but tradition dictates you can't buy one for yourself, they have to be presented/awarded to you by someone. If you are at a bar and someone challenges you, you need to show your coin, if you don't have a coin, you're buying. If everyone has a coin, then the person with the lowest coin is buying (based on the rank of the person who awarded you the coin, so if you get one from the CNO you are golden haha).

Most challenge coins are very hard to get..you have to kind of be a stand out to get one..you wont really get any in any school. Most challenge coins are given out while you are in fleet. My navy son got one while on deployment from the Army of all things from the commander of the Iraq command..he came on the ship to do re-enlistments for the Marines on board and hand picked some sailors to give coins to. Now my Army son has numerous coins..his highest is from the Vice President, has one from the Navy even from Admiral Mike Mullen when he was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs..in total he has 26 coins in his 4 years in so far.

[Amos37]

Awesome post

[RunnerLHB]

This is great info- thanks

[FutureSailor24]

This all really good information. I'm mostly just worried about making the weigh in and passing the initial PFA.

[OscaR]

Hello and thanks for posting this, very helpful.
I may leave for bootcamp by winter time depending on how well the paperwork goes, I'm just concerned about some things:

-Can you, and should you bring your own razor? I read that they confiscate everything you carry with you and may dispose of it as they see fit.

-I've been using the wet shaving method with a double edged razor for a while now, and prefer my shaves much more with me making my own lather, but I'm wondering if theres any time for that during bootcamp specially with the way they hurry you up. Can you choose the times at which you shave everyday?

-What is useful to take with you?

-What supplies can you exactly buy in those stores during bootcamp?

[D.Brothers]

Fantastic post! This really helps a future sailor get a great idea of what to expect during their time at RTC. Thank you

[bronxCTM]

Originally Posted by OscaR

Hello and thanks for posting this, very helpful.
I may leave for bootcamp by winter time depending on how well the paperwork goes, I'm just concerned about some things:

-Can you, and should you bring your own razor? I read that they confiscate everything you carry with you and may dispose of it as they see fit.

-I've been using the wet shaving method with a double edged razor for a while now, and prefer my shaves much more with me making my own lather, but I'm wondering if theres any time for that during bootcamp specially with the way they hurry you up. Can you choose the times at which you shave everyday?

-What is useful to take with you?

-What supplies can you exactly buy in those stores during bootcamp?

Everything gets issued to you but you need to bring your SS card and birth certificate (and Driver's License?).


I'm wondering about when you shave each day though myself...it would be so much better for me if I could shave at night and not have to worry about that in the morning, if that is possible?