| Preparing to enter Navy Boot Camp takes serious | | | | As you progress through the eight-week long |
| dedication and hard work. Some people think that if | | | | program, you will be changed. Training includes very |
| they complete hand to hand combat training or | | | | rigorous physical conditioning, classroom and hand-on |
| martial arts training before they get to camp that | | | | instruction, and a restricted diet. In the second half of |
| they'll be fine. While this kind of training won't hurt | | | | the program, trainees will complete fire fighting and |
| you, it's probably not enough to prepare you for the | | | | damage control training. Throughout the entire training |
| rigors of Boot Camp. To get ready both physically | | | | program, you will learn teamwork and build |
| and mentally, you need to know what to expect. | | | | camaraderie with your division. |
| Boot Camp for the United States Navy starts in | | | | Eventually your division will be tested on everything |
| Great Lakes, Illinois at Recruit Training Command | | | | you have learned at Boot Camp. And if you succeed |
| (RTC). Lots of new recruits are nervous about going | | | | you will be awarded the title of United States Sailor. |
| to Boot Camp. No doubt they've heard horror stories | | | | Things to Take With You to Boot Camp |
| from past sailors about the trials of training to be a | | | | - marriage certificate or divorce decree |
| sailor. Others are very excited and eager to take on | | | | - birth certificates for your spouse and children, if you |
| the challenge. Regardless of your outlook going in, it | | | | have any |
| can be very helpful to know what kinds of challenges | | | | - prescription medicines |
| you will be facing during training. | | | | - college transcripts |
| First of all, be prepared to wake up at 6:00 a.m. | | | | - medical records |
| every day. If you don't get up that early now, it's | | | | - no more than $25.00 |
| time you started. You need to put your body on a | | | | - stamps |
| strict schedule when it comes to getting sleep and | | | | - prescription eyeglasses or contacts |
| waking up. You will need lots of rest for all of the | | | | - any court documents regarding child support or |
| physical conditioning exercises you will go through. | | | | alimony |
| Physical conditioning tests are part of the experience. | | | | Entering the Navy can be very rewarding. After your |
| You will test your abilities in several areas including | | | | enlistment, you will have developed many new skills, |
| running 1.5 miles, sit-ups, and push-ups. | | | | learned more about yourself, and built the confidence |
| In additional to getting your body into shape, you will | | | | you need to be successful - even in the civilian world. |
| learn a lot at Boot Camp. Things like first-aid, signaling, | | | | Many people choose to enter the Navy to help them |
| seamanship, and weapon training are all a part of the | | | | earn money towards college, but it also looks great |
| experience. When it comes to weapons, you will learn | | | | on your resume and can help you land a great job |
| basic safety and then move to the range to practice. | | | | when your enlistment time is up. |