Marine Corps BootCamp Paris Island as a female.

My personal experience:

Bootcamp began for me on October 12, 2021. What a time to be at basic training. Going through Paris Island takes about 13 weeks or 3 months and consists of three phases.

When you first arrive at Paris Island you stand on the yellow foot prints and open your mouth to yell back and scream. Scream for your life.

The Following is a shakey less detailed account of what is composed in those three phases. However if you want a more straight-foward detailed account for what basic training consists of you can read it more about it here!

When you are with your receiving drill instructor you learn all the basics of what you should expect when you are placed in your platoon. You learn how to make the dreaded hospital corners as well as first-time group hygiene and basic marching. 

If there is a want/interest to go into a more detailed account of basic training later down the line, I would love to go into more.

PHASE 1

In Phase One after being put into your first platoon you start to learn the basics of Marine Corps martial arts, and you are also able to get IT’d. I was IT’d at least 15 times in my first week. I thought it was awesome at the time. Dang was I exhausted. But I seriously was never more fit in my 18 years of living. If you are looking to become more physically fit during boot camp, I would say that it is beneficial to volunteer to be it’d. You also get to start carrying your M16-A4 Service rifle and learn the proper way to carry it. You even get to visit the confidence course on week 3. I could not have loved this more. This is everything I used to think that the marine corps embodies. I viewed it as a playground basically. It is a playground for future war fighters. At the end of phase one you get to participate in initial drill. Initial drill is a competition that you should be ready to perform for. I was always bad at drilling but good at physical fitness. 

You get to go to the rapel tower, just jump don't be scared. You also get to visit the gas chamber. Just follow directions and you'll be fine. Its not that bad. Clean and wash your hands and face properly after.

PHASE 2

In Phase 2 that is where you will start swim qual. Tread water and swim in your boots. Its not that hard. You will run your first PFT. You will also run your PFT. 

The PFT and CFT were something that I so looked forward to at the time of bootcamp. They were like comparable to a recital or a concert to me. Finally being able to perform everything you've practiced and getting recognized. I will never forget the way the Paris Island dew felt on my skin and how clear the air was for some reason.

PHASE 3

Phase three is when the rifle range is. For the rifle range at bootcamp I scored 230 on table one and then a 98 on table two for a combined score of 328. Which is super fun if you can pay attention and qualify to continue, because if not, you will be dropped. If you dont remember your weapon safety rules you will also be dropped with 0 hesitation. There are certain rules that all drill instructors have to follow and that is important to remember to just do what you have to do.

You go on a lot of hikes during this time period. If your hips are hurting to the extent you feel that you may break some bones; you need to tell someone before it happens. When you are put into a medical platoon it takes some time to be processed out. If that does unfortunately happen. You complete the crucible and BWT. The two most epic points of training for me. I got to practice clearing houses and low crawl for what seemed a while.

PHASE 4 is being a marine

You can finally say I, you are given at least 10 minutes to shower instead of 2-3 minutes. Plus, after the crucible you get to have this big meal of all the food you weren't allowed to eat previously. I enjoyed this time period. I felt like a big boss. Plus I was going to see my family soon. Which I could not wait for. I missed them so much and they constantly wrote me. Along with some of my friends who I greatly appreciate. Thankyou Ousley, Zoe, and Skyler. PS: Skyler if you are here I read your letter that you wrote for me to the entire platoon one day. They all loved it. Thanks.

A more detailed less chronological account of basic training:

My first notable experience in the Marine Corps was my graduation from BootCamp at Paris Island in January 2021. I graduated the Iron Woman of my company as well as a squad leader. It was my duty to ensure that all marines in my squad of about 13 recruits were squared away and ready to go. I would regularly try and help the recruits who were struggling physically and mentally in boot camp. At night I would host workouts, whether it was ammo can lifts or ab workouts. I would also teach other recruits how to run properly if they were not taught properly growing up.

Due to my extra efforts to motivate and hold other recruits accountable, I was chosen to become a squad leader. For any person who is interested in the marines or is in the marines currently and wants a leadership position in boot camp or in general, my advice would be not to stand out too much. Blend in and if they choose you they choose you. If not keep your head down its only about 3 months, they drop you to another platoon or you have medical issues. I was dropped to another platoon. It wasn't easy or fun. I learned that not everything in life is fair and sometimes you just have to put up with the decisions of the people above you.

After being dropped I followed my own advice and just tried to keep my head down and it ended up working! I was picked for squad leader in my new platoon and I continued to motivate other recruits with night time work outs and precise directions to them given to me from the drill instructors. It was not easy but Marine Corps bootcamp is not for the intolerant. For anyone reading this, go space force. Maybe they'll be nice to you!

There are alot of different cool things to be completed at Marine Corps Basic Training. Marine Corps Bootcamp consists of three phases.

Phase 1: Receiving

In depth about Physical Training and Honors I received:

I graduated with a meritorious promotion to Private First Class (PFC) or E-2. I also scored a perfect score on both the Combat Fitness Test (CFT) and the Physical Fitness Test(PFT). The PFT consisted at this time of a 3 mile run, max pull ups and max crunches. The perfect score of 300 was awarded to me on both tests. I ran a 19:23 3 mile, maxed out my crunches and did 10 pull-ups for my PFT. The CFT consists of a 880 meter run, A Manuever Under Fire and your max ammo can lifts. For my CFT I ran a 2:48 880 meter. For the 880 you run it in your combat boots and cami bottoms which is just a little bit different from the 800 meter event that I ran in highschool. I was an avid runner in highschool so running all the time everyday was not a daunting task. For the Manuever under fire I got a 2:38. My senior drill instructor at the time told me that that time was kind of slow in comparison. Ammo cans at bootcamp were about 30 lbs. I performed about 125 ammo can lifts. I remember checking the list after the CFT and I was so nervous that I wouldn't be first in the events. But I was! All except for the MUF, which I about in the middle for.

I ran the combat fitness test and the physical fitness tests multiple times becuase I was dropped from my original platoon. I ran them again because I wanted to motivate myself, even if it was only just an option to participate.

In conclusion:

I completed one of the hardest training programs in the U.S. I experienced it and I threw myself into it! I gathered a lot of useful skills and learned a lot about a bunch of different people and their backgrounds. It was super interesting to learn so much and attempt to fully dedicate myself to the Marine Corps itself. As much as I could. I would encourage anyone to try and attempt something new even if it scares them! Go for it. You won't regret it.