Tales From Bootcamp

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Comments

  • MetalcatMetalcat Join Date: 2004-08-11 Member: 30528Members
    good to hear your still alive, and man thats just hilarius to hear that their way of saying that your good is that they will keep that **** <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • ZigZig ...I am Captain Planet&#33; Join Date: 2002-10-23 Member: 1576Members
    Update #2: Boot Camp Is Hard. (July 9)

    Seriously. Yesterday I was fired and re-hired (as guide). The "replacement" guide only lasted a few hours. He told me later on that the whole thing was a plot (which I suspected), but furthermore that he was in on it, and not chosen randomly. He quoted that the "whole purpose was to **** with your head." I never imagined boot camp would be so mentally involving.

    The day before that was my first real case of verbal abuse by a DI (which is against the rules). I was rallying my platoon to the O-course (obstacles, duh) and another DI from our company, M or Mike Co., got right in my ear and yelled at me to "SHUT THE **** UP, THE ONLY REASON YOU'RE GUIDE IS BECAUSE YOU SUCK ****. AND YOUR SENIOR [Drill Instructor] ONLY LIKES YOU BECAUSE YOU SUCK HIS ****. YUP, YOU BROWN-NOSING LITTLE ****, I BET YOU SUCK IT ALL NIGHT. SO SHUT THE **** UP AND GO SUCK SOME MORE ****." Now, part of the general code of conduct as a leader in the Marines is that profanity and degradation should be left out if possible, which is why half the time the DI's say "freakin" and "god dang". So you should probably infer that all the sucking business was pretty blatant verbal abuse. I reported it to my senior not out of revenge but just because. He said to report "any and all cases", so... ya know.

    MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) is pretty tiring. We've done that twice. The obstacle course isn't so bad, the hardest thing is the rope climb at the end... but with some technique it's doable.

    Let me explain getting "killed". Getting killed /slain/ IT'd (intensive training) consists of whatever the DI says, as a form of punishment. Pushups, mountain climbs, sitting up, standing, dropping to your face, flipping over, sprinting back and forth, anything is fair game. It lasts 5-15 minutes, and leaves anyone very exhausted. It's pretty effective punishment. Getting killed once a day is pretty bad... if you're "invisible" they never really put a name to your face and ya get along without getting killed. But since I'm guide, well... yesterday I got killed 5 times >____< 2 were for ****ups (leaning over during a class and drinking from my canteen before we were told to drink) the rest were for "fun", I guess. :\

    Breakfast was good this morning. We're getting slightly more time to eat because we're flipping up less. I'm still only getting three squares a day as opposed to six and suppliments/snacking... so hungry... soon I think they'll establish "double rats" or double rationing for underweight or high metabolism recruits. they get to eat the main course twice (like if breakfast is rice, two pancakes, and ham, and eggs, those four being the main course, just multiply x2). It wont ever be enough, I really miss eating all day every day...

    Well, I'm gonna wrap this up. I'm in decent spirits. I'd day my blog mood would be "tired". GO figure, huh. =P Alright, well... you guys have all my love etc. Miss you ;]


    Zig/John


    Well, I got another one, so fast! I'd like everyone to please leave him comments so in the next few days I'll have something to send him by the end of the week, for both updates. Thanks!
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Still want to know if ya'll have to do the monkey bars before every meal. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • MetalcatMetalcat Join Date: 2004-08-11 Member: 30528Members
    wow that sounds extremly tough, good luck coming through it in one piece
  • ZigZig ...I am Captain Planet&#33; Join Date: 2002-10-23 Member: 1576Members
    Whaaaaat? You've got to be kidding me. I come in to get more replies ready for Zig, to find that the third letter never got posted!!

    Shame on me. For shame. For shame. *die*

    Update #3: Sick
    July 14, 2005


    I'm sick. I woke up yesterday morning with a sore throat. Got through the day with an annoying cough... but nothing serious. Then I go to sleep and freeze my **** off... in the morning, I've got a hacking cough, and my throat is filled with phlegm whenever I sound off. We go to breakfast, and do some running back and forth ****... which lets me know I'm also fatigued and maybe a little hot, temperature wise. I want to just fall down and sleep for a month.

    The rest of the platoon is sick, it seems like. The sounds after lights out are basically coughs and sputters, all night...

    I request to speak to my Senior Drill Instructor (SDI) while coughing hard enough to make my eyes water. This place really sucks sometimes. I ask to make a sick call and everyone (DIs) start flipping with me about how since I "can't hack it, I'll have to pack it" (as Guide). If I wasn't so hot for the promotion that being Guide entails, I'd gust my billet (Impostor: I know that looks kinda wrong... but his handwriting is hard to read!) SO fast... My friend who came with me is practically invisible. I don't think he's been killed yet, come to think of it. "Killed " being intensive training, of course. I get killed like every day now... all eyes are on me, so I guess it makes sense. I'm getting really tired of it, though. I feel like ****, so I'll write more later. Hope everyone is well.

    Zig/John

    PART II: onoes =(

    Well, I'm here @ medical, turns out I'm all **** up... fever and all kinds of ****. I'm on bedrest for a few days... I hope I get better in time.

    Part III: o.O!

    I wake up in the late afternoon, and the SDI grabs me and another bedrest recruit (a guy I like, he has pinkeye) and tells us we're going to chow, come with him. Now, all the other bedrest recruits were taken to chow by another DI, so we were wondering what's going on. Then he takes us to a building with DI's coming in and out like crazy (naturally you have to come to attention and bellow "GOOD EVENING SIR" as loud as your battered voicebox will allow). He waves us in, and we are suddenly confronted by the Series Gunnery Sergeant and Series Commander. We've tested positive for THC and are going to jail. We deny all charges, as obviously there is some kind of mistake... for a 130lb guy I may drink like a fish, but I don't smoke the cheeb...
    Then we're told that it was all a test, and we passed. We're brought into another room with the Series Commander, and find out that we, 2 of 75 recruits, are going to a company graduation tomorrow! A company of recruits is like 6~(Impostor: Errr... I think?) platoons, with 50-70 each. They all graduate on the same day, and it's truly a "grand old" American tradition. A billion times more of a big deal than a college graduation... They chose us 2, who knows why... but it's going to be a HELL of a time. Woot.
    Hopefully I'm well enough to get out of bed and walk around tomorrow. DI Gunnery Sgt Sanchez hasn't let me take any of the 4 medications I've been issued.
    I'll be fine though.



    Loving yoouu -
    Zig/John
  • docchimpydocchimpy Join Date: 2003-07-19 Member: 18266Members
    Is Pvt. Ziggar planning on becoming an officer someday? Just out of curiosity.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Zig's doing a good job of playin' the pipes, eh? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • StavesacreStavesacre Join Date: 2003-09-13 Member: 20816Members, Constellation
    Hey Imposter Zig this is for John:

    Hey, super good job so far man. I read that bit about the verbal abuse with a small smile, I had a few cases like that on my way through. You did the right thing to report it and shrug it off. Just remember that its totally not you its just that DI doesnt know how to do his job the "right" way, so they do that. When you get done, you will be able to point out the guys that were the serious DIs that took pride in what they did, and the ones that were ****ups in a campaign cover.
    Getting the funk sucks man, but tough it out. You will spend a lot of your time there sick, but thats just what you get for being in an open squad bay with 70 men who are filthy most of the time.
    Get back to being guide as soon as you can. Its hard as hell now, but just think of this. I can't remember any of the "temp" guides we had, but I remember our last(this was 5 years ago). The guide that leads your platoon out onto the parade deck to recieve your title will be remembered by every single one of your fellow recruits. Thats a pretty lofty achievement. So dont wuss out, and good luck.
  • TrevelyanTrevelyan Join Date: 2003-03-23 Member: 14834Members
    I understand being "killed" is nessesary physical training but when you push sick men they just get sicker. retarded DIs FTL...

    Zig: Congrats on (apparently) busting over that hump! I'm not sure but i think life gets easier from here on.
  • Har_Har_the_PirateHar_Har_the_Pirate Join Date: 2003-08-10 Member: 19388Members, Constellation
    i bet you didnt even wall off no name hive either, what a noob
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    Supreme work, Zig. They're not making a man out of you, you're making a man out of yourself!

    Or something.

    Remember, the ends justify the means. Always.
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    Wow, sounds like my job at the berry plant TBH... I can't wait to go back to school.
  • MulletMullet Join Date: 2003-04-28 Member: 15910Members, Constellation
    Ask him if his squard has a "Private Piles" in it? Hehe..

    Do they make the heavier guys work more? My econ teacher told me that they make the "heavy" guys wear special suits and whatnot and make them excersize more...is that true?

    Sounds like your doing an excellent job! I think I speak for everyone when I say we are proud of you...doin it up TSA style... <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    hehehe

    on the THC thing I was all like "oh shiz, wth? Zig said he dosn't smoke the waky tabacy"

    hehe, sounds great!

    goodluck man!
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    Oh, and one last thing:


    WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU! =D
  • CyndaneCyndane Join Date: 2003-11-15 Member: 22913Members
    Kick their butts my short little man. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • ZigZig ...I am Captain Planet&#33; Join Date: 2002-10-23 Member: 1576Members
    Impostor speaking. It seems that Zig's handwriting, when he's tired, is damn unreadable. So, I'll just note when I don't know what the hell he's saying.

    Update 3? or 4? I forget =( & Replies to 1&2

    July 29, 2005 (Time on deck is 2230 or so)

    Damn, son. It's ****' T-23... I've been here for a MONTH... more actually. Tomorrow is Phase II - we go 45 min north by bus to Camp Pendleton. Phase II is all about field operations & ****. Soon we'll fire our weapons for the first time. Am I excited? Sorta... lol. I was excited to RECIEVE my rifle but it seems they can make anything dull or painful or hectic or stressful when you thought it might be COOl or FUN. =P We'll see.

    NEWS FLASH - they don't read your mail and ****. Send me porn pics and shots of Adriana Lima!! (FEM porn please, not ***... let's not get ahead of ourselves.) You can talk *** or furry or whatever if you want, too. & funny pics and anything! I don't care =)

    RE: Being sick... oh man am I flipping SICK. Jesus. I'm still on full duty (can't missa ny more training) but I don't have meds or **** so I expect(Impostor: I think), from the bottom of my poor exhausted lungs, neon yellow hunks of crap. Is that bad? <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> Can't be fatal, so fuggit. Some recent training has really been okay.

    CCX course - run around to stations (the whole series of platoons - 200+ recruits) in our 2BV(Imposter: Maybe ZBV) and do Martial Arts **** or fireman's carry or other exhausting ****. And get killed afterwards. Not fun.

    Confidence Course II! Fuuun. We climbed the stairway to Heaven (That log tower in Full Metal Jacket), the A-Frame, and did the Slide For Life(IMP: Errr, I think that's what it is.). The A-frame... blahh it was fun and all but it's a **** to explain. GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND ;]

    Bayonet Assault Course! FUN for sure. You stram on gloves, a beat up Kevlar (helmet), and pick up a fake M16... and go running over obstacles, crawling low and high, hopping and climbing walls, and hunkering down behind meager cover, all while beating on big stuffed dummies on a fireteam(IMP: Err..) of 4. Sound effects on loudspeakers provided by Saving Pvt Ryan % others. Hearing a chattering machinegun colley and then a wailing "MAMAA!" while back-crawling under barbed wire - awesome. EBAY rating for the bayo assault course - A++, would do business again.

    God DAMn I'm sick. Sometimes I cough up this solid **** that's brown and feels like cornflakes... though not as big lol. And I've only done that twice. Seriously, out in the civilian world, I'd be fearing for my life (Playing World of Warcraft, poor sick Zig), but out here I'm more concerned about graduating on my shceduled date of Sept 23 than, say, not coughing up lung tissue.

    Well, I'm not sure what else to blab about... oh, I got fired from Guide. I had a fever and was all **** up for like 3 days... an da platoon doesn't operate without a guide, so... they simply said, "You, pack up your **** and move." I wasn't even "fired" per se. I was just moved, lol =P. Being "GP" or Generap population is WAY easier than being Guide. Well, that should have been obvious enough to me, but it still came as a shock. I can write letters in the rack (bed) take a **** (if I'm sneaky) when I'm supposed ot be doing something else... And then there's that thole NO PRESSURE thing. Whew. I'm still a good recruit, but if they want me as guide again they're gonna force it on me cuz I'm in no hurry to take it back ATM. =)

    Hmm... Just thinking about lots of pron pix in the mail is... stimulating. <_< >_>

    OKAY... ANSWERS! =) LJ First:
    Namiel: Thanks your support =3 I miss and <3 yoo tooo. *Hug*

    TW: The hardest day? Well, the Crucible is 4 days long or so, and you're underfed, sleep deprived, and physically sapped of energy for hte duration of 60 miles hiking and laborous missions. That's "the hard part" of USMC recruit training. <3 ya =3

    BC: Lol BC... yes verbal abuse =P What do I do in my offtim*e... white letters, go to the bathroom ("make a head call"), and work on my kickass Drill Instructor impressions. I can do em loud... and I know DIs from multiple platoons. =) I scare people quite frequently. It's a flipping riot ;3

    Suule: <3

    Natural Selection Boards-
    Depot: No blisters yet, I have hardcore wightlifting callouses. Other kids of torn their callouses right off... lots of blood. Ow. Yes we attack the pullup bars after every chow. =P Care Packages - the Senior DI just eats the food himself! Lalo.

    Caboose: Kabews! Boot is in San Diego.

    Thansal:THX + <3

    The Kissers: God I could use some tongue love =o (some cuties here too... *shifty*)

    Depot: Sex drive is alive and well =) Tool still operates but I'm too tired to use it -_- Sexual activity both solo and interpsersonal has gone from 30% of a good day to 0.1% x_x

    Liku: true... attitude + DI = omg ded. I thought if you just said **** it and refused to do anything that they wouldn't be able to do anything... but a refusal to train actually results in arrest sometimes with physical force (and humiliation) applied to the fullest extent of the law. o-o Saw it with my own eyes. They definately get the last laugh down here.

    AYHABZU: [size=10] <3 [-size]


    Hostile Intent -

    LHS, Bic, Bitmap: Doin my best! Thsi place sucks for a reason ^-^

    Tribal-Bob: yes... I have a gun 8)

    ... with a happy switch too >]

    HC: thx mate =)

    MadStan: Yes it sucked. blah. advice eh? The hardest thing about starting boot is standing up for like 50% of hte day, get a job doing retail, or just stand on your feet all day... but that first week of standing the **** around is a killer.

    swalty: tx =)

    Henry: Yes lol the DI was right ^-^

    8:::<!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> ps. Set is an idiot =O (IMP: Think I got that right.)

    CG: Drill Rock! lol. I'm a drilling machine =]

    Amato: Yeah, I guess =o The 'verbal abuse' has gotten worse. I'm GP now so I just shrug it. =]

    BAS: Yes, the DI's intermingle 'freakin idiot' with 'flipping stupid retarded ****' like it's normal. It's about 80% profanity and 20% of the time they censor temselves.

    Madstan: YES!! I thought it was a mindgame so I reported it.

    Bob: puppy =/

    CG: lol, I want to hear a DI call it his beloved Marine Corps =P Haven't yet.

    Crimson Ghost: reporting verbal abuse was a direct order. Ya follow those, ya know? ;D

    Frost: Preciate the encouragement. =]

    Decepticon: GL 2U too =)

    Lars: Thanks =)


    Okay, that's all the answers. Whew. Got one more funny thing... Today at noon chow, one recruit eyeballed (glanced at) the DI table off to the side, which you're not supposed to do (Duh). The DI says stop (reply, "STOP AYEAYE SIR!")
    DI: Did I say eyeballs? (command to look at the DI)
    Recruit: NO SIR!
    DI: Okay, well, rip our your eyeballs right now.
    Recruit:...
    DI: WELL, RIP YOUR EYEBALLS OUT OF YOUR flipping SKULL RIGHT NOW, SHITBAG!
    Recruit, still not moving: AYEAYE SIR! (...)
    DI: REACH UP AND PULL OUT YOUR flipping EYEBALLS BEFORE I TAKE THIS flipping SPOON AND DO IT FOR YOU!
    Recruit: AYEAYE SIR! (...)
    DI:...Go away. *resumes eating*
    Recruit: GOAWAY AYEAYE SIR! *run*
    Zig: *stifle laffing* X3

    Well that's it for now, folks. I'm flipping <u>TIRED</u>. Write me and send me your favorite pron pix =D


    <3 ZIG <3

    (In the letter, that took up a quarter of the page.)
  • QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Huh. I hope the ol' lugs doin' well.
    Zig: Don't give up on being a guide man. This may be easier, but you have a true chance at leading a crew- and frankly I bet you'd be awesome at it. Good luck, friend.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    edited August 2005
    Good news! I checked a medical diagram (a LEGO guy I cut in half) and your lungs are NOT made of small brown cornflakes. You're probably just imagining things!

    Edit: Tell that to Zig. Duh.
  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    Zig: See if you can have something sent to me by September? My birthday is two days before you graduate, and some random stolen boot camp item would make an AWESOMEKTHX birthday gift. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> I'll give my address to teh imp0st0r if both of you don't mind. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    Impostor: Thanks for posting this. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • NuketheplaceNuketheplace Join Date: 2002-09-02 Member: 1266Members
    Keep it up man, the tranning sounds hard, but your almost half way through now.

    Btw I'm wondering is it true you have to swim five miles in order to be a marine?
  • moultanomoultano Creator of ns_shiva. Join Date: 2002-12-14 Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
    Looks like Ziggy has pneumonia. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    <a href='http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Pneumonia.html' target='_blank'>http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Pneumonia.html</a>
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The cough might be dry at the beginning of the illness but then tends to be productive, with phlegm that is often green/yellow or rust-coloured and may be smelly<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
  • CrispyCrispy Jaded GD Join Date: 2004-08-22 Member: 30793Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) is pretty tiring. We've done that twice. The obstacle course isn't so bad, the hardest thing is the rope climb at the end... but with some technique it's doable.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well at least they learnt something from Vietnam :roll:
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