Bootcamp Questions.

[MacSteve]

So I leave in 3 weeks.. its still bugging me haha.

1.Is it true about 90% of bootcamp, if not all is inside?

2. Should I volunteer for everything, or shutup and make myself unnoticed?

3. anything I can do to get on the RDC's good side?

4. Is there still standing guard at night? (up for 1 hour during night to watch the barracks)... if not watching barracks, do you do anything at night consecutively?

5. what I understand, i will need a good calling card that lets me just zip right through to the reciever, any suggestions on cards? and how much limit should i get?

Im sure I can think of a few more.. but these things are bugging the hell out of me.
thanks,
Steve

[KYmom]

1.Is it true about 90% of bootcamp, if not all is inside? I think that is yes

2. Should I volunteer for everything, or shutup and make myself unnoticed? stay unnoticed

3. anything I can do to get on the RDC's good side? Do as your told correctly

4. Is there still standing guard at night? (up for 1 hour during night to watch the barracks)... if not watching barracks, do you do anything at night consecutively? They do have watch during the night... somebody should be here later to give specifics

5. what I understand, i will need a good calling card that lets me just zip right through to the reciever, any suggestions on cards? and how much limit should i get?
I sent 2 one hour cards

Im sure I can think of a few more.. but these things are bugging the hell out of me.
thanks,
Steve


Somebody with more experience should be along soon.

[RightHereWaiting]

This might help answer a lot of your questions and more:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/l/aanavybasic1.htm

Be sure to know your eleven General Orders [be able to spew them out without a thought, as people have told me], the Sailors Creed, ranks aaand, what else? I can't think right now but if you haven't done all this, try your best to get all that done before you leave!!

What I'm about to answer is from what I've gathered between reading and what I've been told. The Cheif can better answer and verify whether what I say is correct or not.

1. A good deal is inside because they want you to get used to working on a ship. I wouldn't know what percentage, though.

4. It's required that we be given eight hours a night to rest. . . but they didn't say consequativly. I've been told that they wake you up in the middle of the night to iron and stand guard. And in the winter time when there's snow they put you on snow watch or have you shovel it.

There is also THIS: http://www.thenavycafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=931
NickHallNavy's do***entation of bootcamp day-by-day. :D I know that's more than you asked for, but I figure that anything could help.

[MacSteve]

you can only write on sundays????

[KYmom]

Yes, you can only write on Sundays, but you will receive mail daily.
Don't worry you won't get bored, they will keep you very busy and you won't realize how fast time goes.
You will be doing alot of learning to fold clothes and ironing during what they call your spare time.... LOL...
When we where there for my son's PIR we need see some recruits exersizing outside, one had to run to the grass to vomit...... but most stuff is done inside.

Check out all the sticky post regarding boot camp. There is alot of good information there.
Try to learn your general orders and such, and run run run...... try to be in the best physical shape you ca get into before you go and it will be easier on you.
Some have a hard time with the folding of clothes --- help your mother out with laundry and do some folding for practice... and maybe some ironing... LOL..
Some have more trouble with the folding and ironing than the physical stuff...... can you imagine that...

[MacSteve]

Yes, you can only write on Sundays, but you will receive mail daily.
Don't worry you won't get bored, they will keep you very busy and you won't realize how fast time goes.
You will be doing alot of learning to fold clothes and ironing during what they call your spare time.... LOL...
When we where there for my son's PIR we need see some recruits exersizing outside, one had to run to the grass to vomit...... but most stuff is done inside.

Check out all the sticky post regarding boot camp. There is alot of good information there.
Try to learn your general orders and such, and run run run...... try to be in the best physical shape you ca get into before you go and it will be easier on you.
Some have a hard time with the folding of clothes --- help your mother out with laundry and do some folding for practice... and maybe some ironing... LOL..
Some have more trouble with the folding and ironing than the physical stuff...... can you imagine that...

haha. well who knows what i will have trouble with.. I ran 5 days a week for about 2-3 months, then once i made my time i slowed it down to about 2x a week (working full time now ,when before i wasnt, makes it really hard :()... Im sure i will be alright w/ the physical stuff as i know its not that much running. ive been told numerous times that when you run, the longest run will be ~1.5 miles, and that since you kind of run to different places throughout the day, you run somewhere about 2 miles all together... so we will see, im sure ill be fine ;), im no the kind to give up.



EDIT: plus if you give up and want out, its been said that your usually there in holding, cleaning and shit longer then your division lol

[Retired Navy Chief]

EDIT: plus if you give up and want out, its been said that your usually there in holding, cleaning and XXXX longer then your division lol

You are quite correct .... they are in no hurry at all to get you out of there for being an underachiever. There is plenty of cleaning and other "meaningful chores" to be done in support of those sailors who ARE striving to be the best.

It is very common for the "Hold Division" to be there looooong after the original divisions graduate. More incentive to do well, right ?

Cheers,
PISTOL

[Ray]

So I leave in 3 weeks.. its still bugging me haha.

1.Is it true about 90% of bootcamp, if not all is inside?

You will spend a lot of time inside, but you will be marching from one place to another at the least around one time a day.

2. Should I volunteer for everything, or shutup and make myself unnoticed?

The navy likes leaders, but we need guys to sweep and swab the deck too. Your choice. Choose wisely.

3. anything I can do to get on the RDC's good side?

don't be a brown noser. pay close attention to detail. fold your clothes the best you can. always iron your clothes. study as much as possible and volunteer for as much stuff as you can. keep in mind your not in boot camp to impress your RDC. you are here to learn how to be a sailor and all of the responsibilities that come with it. even if your RDC don't like you, they aren't going to hold out on teaching you anything. Most RDC's are pretty chill after the first few weeks from what i've seen.

4. Is there still standing guard at night? (up for 1 hour during night to watch the barracks)... if not watching barracks, do you do anything at night consecutively? Yes sir. More than an hour. Your looking at 2 hour watches.You iron every night.

5. what I understand, i will need a good calling card that lets me just zip right through to the reciever, any suggestions on cards? and how much limit should i get?

dont have a good answer here.

Im sure I can think of a few more.. but these things are bugging the hell out of me.
thanks,
Steve

I know all of these have pretty much been answered, but I figure'd I'd throw in my experience since I just graduated about 3 hours ago.

[Retired Navy Chief]

Ray .... who was your RDC's ????

I have an old shipmate up there pushing boots ... wondered if MMC Rick Lewis was one of yours.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[MacSteve]

I know all of these have pretty much been answered, but I figure'd I'd throw in my experience since I just graduated about 3 hours ago.

so what did you do for phone calls? any recommended card service?

and honestly how much did it suck? on a scale of call it 1-10... lol this may seem vague..

[RightHereWaiting]

Ray's Back!

[KYmom]

so what did you do for phone calls? any recommended card service?

and honestly how much did it suck? on a scale of call it 1-10... lol this may seem vague..


I picked up phone cards at Walmart,

Just be sure to look on the back and see what the minute ration is.

All of them have a flat connect charge - pick the one with the least charge per connect and minute.

Usually Walmart, Walgreen's or Costco have pretty good ones.

That is the only type you will need for now. The other types you may need later on depending upon where you go.

I think I sent my son a 120 minute one and a 60 minute one. I don't really remeber, but your parents can send you another one in a letter if needed.

[MacSteve]

I picked up phone cards at Walmart,

Just be sure to look on the back and see what the minute ration is.

All of them have a flat connect charge - pick the one with the least charge per connect and minute.

Usually Walmart, Walgreen's or Costco have pretty good ones.

That is the only type you will need for now. The other types you may need later on depending upon where you go.

I think I sent my son a 120 minute one and a 60 minute one. I don't really remeber, but your parents can send you another one in a letter if needed.

but then what if it takes 5 minutes to actually go through the menu on the card to call? lol

[KYmom]

There not as complicated as they sound...