[adfpaintballer]

ITT: I put off writing my paper.

Joining the Marines was something I've wanted to do since I was little. During my last years of high school I was at a crossroads - should I start applying for college or just wait til I turn 18 and enlist? Many of my friends were planning to attend college, and some were waiting to join the military. I chose college and basically forgot about the whole military thing.

Well I'm here 6 weeks into college as a freshman. So far it's been meh...I'm doing alright in my classes and I'm meeting some pretty cool people. Been partying moderately...it's cool but I'm not one of those people who can go out 3 times a week and get drunk. I've been to the club fair to try to find a group I might like to join...didn't see anything I'd like to join. But the table I kept going to was the ROTC table. I grabbed some flyers and left.

I am considering doing some type of government/police work...it's something that really interests me. My parents and step parents are ALL in police work and I love it. However, none of them went to college and only my stepdad was in the military (usmc). I'd like to take it a few steps further and get my BA (at least) and have 4 years (at least) as a Marine officer under my belt before I start my career. Hell if I do 4 years I'll still be young when I get out of the military... only 25 or 26.

Last week I did some research and made the decision to join up. I went and talked to the Major and told him I was interested in joining. He gave me some paperwork to fill out and then took me to a room where this guy issued me a ton of gear. Told me to fill out all the paperwork and turn it in monday morning...before PT at 6am. He told me he would give my number to somebody and they will contact me about what to wear for PT and stuff.

I'm pretty damn nervous....I haven't been active for over a year. I'm a pretty slim guy who can get back into shape fast, but I know these first few weeks are going to kick my ***. I haven't been contacted yet...so I have a few questions for you guys....

TLDR Start Here:
- Monday is supposed to be our "light" workouts for PT. What should I expect?
- I haven't been trained yet in proper greetings and saluting, and because of that I don't know how to greet people. Do I call all enlisted by their rank and all officers "sir" or "mam"?
- How to I refer to myself? I hear I'm supposed to say "this candidate..."
- I think I do OCS between my jr and sr year...anybody here been through that wanna make some comments about it?
- I'm pretty out of shape....like I said I haven't been active for over a year. I went for a light mile run the other day and ran 7'07". I'm guessing PT will get me in shape fast, right?
- Any tips/comments/recommendations?

Thanks!

[Goober_AK]

Originally Posted by adfpaintballer

ITT: I put off writing my paper.
TLDR Start Here:
- Monday is supposed to be our "light" workouts for PT. What should I expect?
- I haven't been trained yet in proper greetings and saluting, and because of that I don't know how to greet people. Do I call all enlisted by their rank and all officers "sir" or "mam"?
- How to I refer to myself? I hear I'm supposed to say "this candidate..."
- I think I do OCS between my jr and sr year...anybody here been through that wanna make some comments about it?
- I'm pretty out of shape....like I said I haven't been active for over a year. I went for a light mile run the other day and ran 7'07". I'm guessing PT will get me in shape fast, right?
- Any tips/comments/recommendations?

Thanks!

1) In my PT, we do, MSE's (Muscular Strength & endurance) and intervals. So be ready to run at least two miles, and lots of upper body and ab workouts.

2) I'm not sure about NROTC, but we refer to the NCO's as their rank, and the officers we greet them with a salute (if outside) and a good morning sir (or ma'am), or something along those lines.

3) In Army ROTC, in between MS3 (Junior) & MS4 (Senior) year, we go to LDAC (Leadership Development Assesment Camp, I'm pretty sure that's the name of it.), again, I'm not sure how NROTC goes, but I'm sure you'll be doing something like that. They just evaluate you on all the things you've learned throughout ROTC. (PT test, CWST, Squad leading abilites, etc...) They grade you on how well (or bad) you do.

4) Yes, PT will get you in shape. How many times a week do you do it? Since you're out of shape, you might want to do some extra PT to get caught up to the other cadets.


Just go in there with an open mind and remember that after you commission, it'll be well worth it.

[FrogManStud]

1. Warms up, stretches, if its first day push up and sit up test followed by a two mile run
2. Enlisted = Sir , everyone else is called their rank
3. You dont go to OCS until you graduate
4.You refer to yourself as CADET (last name) or Midshipmen depending on where you go.
5. If you already have the Navy Scholarship they will get you into shape, no worries

[adfpaintballer]

Well that was fun. I definitely need to get my *** in shape during my own time as well.

[Goober_AK]

Originally Posted by adfpaintballer

Well that was fun. I definitely need to get my *** in shape during my own time as well.

Haha.. How'd it go? What all did you do?

[adfpaintballer]

They tested my pull ups and crunches right when I got there. Then we did some weight lifting in the gym and then ran 3 miles out on the track. After we did some exercises and stretches.

[Goober_AK]

Originally Posted by adfpaintballer

They tested my pull ups and crunches right when I got there. Then we did some weight lifting in the gym and then ran 3 miles out on the track. After we did some exercises and stretches.

Running on a track blows. I'd rather run out on a road or something.

[adfpaintballer]

Speaking of blowing, I almost blew chunks after that run. I've never EVER ran 3 miles straight in my life. I'm very out of shape...but I think that's about to change.

[j-easy]

just take care of your feet/legs, don't get shin splints your first semester while trying to meet pt standards. been there done that, it sucks