So how hard is Parris Island anyway?

[The Dude]

I am planning to join the Marines in 1 year, and since I live in Jersey, I know that I'll probably get sent to Parris Island. I would like to know your stories (if you trained there) and the relative difficulty of the place. Also, what can I do to prepare myself? I am a scrawny, 5 foot 9 guy with glasses who can swim pretty well.

Thanks for your help.

[Vulture6]

You'll ship in a year? Start running now, and doing push ups, pull ups, dips, sit ups/crunches... oh yeah, a new log in name and an attitude adjustment. It ain't a game, bubba.

[cincymarsdad]

I infer "join in a year" means DEP in a year. Your recruiting sergeant's and any recruiter's assistant would be your best resource. There is a 3-parter on the Military Channel that is excellent, though a touch dated in parts.

Both my kids - one malke one female - said it wasn't as tough as they expexted, but "receiving/forming" had a few WTF moments. If you are scrawny, work on pullups a lot and run. If you can start in better shape than most of the other recruits there, the time will go fast.

Incidentally, my daughter says the PT at 29 Palms is a lot tougher than at PI. Part of that is the hills and part is she's running coed, and she doesn't like to let guys beat her. She outruns a lot of the guys and she says they smoke, some heavily, and suffer. If you smoke, quit now. None of this on the Island at all. Stay away from illegal stuff. Learn your General Orders and attend every poolee function.

[SGRock]

How tough? It's what you think is tough. If you go there with a whiney attitude of "I'm puny and weak", you're dead. If you go there with the intention of BECOMING a Marine instead of TRYING to become a Marine. Oh, and stay off of the heroin-

[USMCRET6391]

I must admit this is not an original thought of mine.......but

Before you go down to Parris Island, tatoo "Heroinbob" on your left bicep, you'll find out how hard Marine Boot Camp is.

Thanks to Vulture for the idea...hope I didnt steal your thunder