Tips and Tricks

[Kmf9182]

Just was wondering if anyone had any kind of tips for the overall bootcamp experience. Even little bits of info that might get you through the little things. For example I've heard it's good to wear two pairs of socks when you get your new boots to avoid blisters.

[Haasino]

I'd concur with the 2 socks advice... best thing to do is wear a pair of your white socks underneath your black boot socks, that was advice given by a 1st Class Corpsman at medical and helped prevent athlete's foot, in addition to blister prevention. Most of us also stopped wearing the cotton underwear after about week 2... you're always going to be wearing your PT shorts under your NWU trousers... even in winter, that gets hot. This type of thing should never be attempted until you get a feel for your RDC's and how much you can get away with.

Knowing your START guide can also have benefits beyond getting advanced from E-1 to E-2, and having less stress from studying... you spend a lot of time in classrooms upstairs learning what you could already know by studying your guide or reading ahead in your Trainee Guide. There were several lectures I already knew the material for, so I was able to use that time to go to the bathroom and enjoy taking a relaxed dump in a stall with a locking door. This may seem weird now, but when you get there and are given 5 minutes to "pump & dump" in a stall with only a curtain (Which you're usually not allowed to close), taking a "Hollywood sh*t" can be a luxury.

Beyond that, just pay attention to instructions and do exactly as your told, in the order that you're told... don't skip ahead of your RDC's instructions. You'd be amazed how much one-on-one contact you can avoid by just doing that... I never got singled out for IT during basic.

[gameingkine]

put all paper and notebooks UNDER your ab drawer
Parade gloss, cotton balls and hot water for a great bootshine

[LT Guppy]

Admin note:
This thread is ok as long as you aren't offering tips to bend or get around RTC rules. If that happens this thread will be closed.

[Haasino]

Originally Posted by gameingkine

put all paper and notebooks UNDER your ab drawer
Parade gloss, cotton balls and hot water for a great bootshine

^ Yes! Remove your A&B Drawer and look at how much space is underneath... I kept all my letters and extra recruit notebooks under there. Parade gloss and cotton balls may not be allowed... depends on your RDC. Mine didn't allow Q-Tips either.

Also, don't fear medical if you have blisters, athlete's foot, or cracked/dry skin... they hand out blister kits and foot ointment like candy and you're not going to get ASMOD'd for simple, legitimate medicals issues like that. If you arrive at medical before the issue gets serious, and you tell them you want to remain Fit for Full Duty, they aren't going to treat you like a malingerer.

[Atom_breaker]

Originally Posted by Guppy2010

Admin note:
This thread is ok as long as you aren't offering tips to bend or get around RTC rules. If that happens this thread will be closed.

BOOOOOOOOOO ! Officers already ruining the fun.

Haha Jk Guppy.

[LT Guppy]

Originally Posted by Atom_breaker

BOOOOOOOOOO ! Officers already ruining the fun.

Haha Jk Guppy.

Think of it as a friendly reminder so I don't have to ruin any fun


That being said....

-Take a permanent marker and number the tags on your NWUs, so that you can always wash the same blouse and pants together so that they fade at the same rate. (do this after you graduate so you don't risk getting a hit in an inspection)

-Buy insoles for your boots

-Instead of using one blousing strap per leg, tie two together in an x. It's more secure and won't come undone. (again, do this after you graduate)