I was previously in USMC recruit training(Left on training day 54 for medical reasons) I'm about to go to MEPS and was wondering if I get MP as my MOS where will I go to BCT and how hard is the training there. Our DIs in on Parris Island told us it was a cakewalk with phonecalls, Internet, and days off. Is that all true. I'm not really worried about it after my previous experience in the Marine Corp I'm pretty sure I can make it through Army BCT. Anyone have any thoughts please reply or email me I should ship out in late summer of 2006.
I went through MP school in 2002 and alot has changed since then. First off its' in Fort Leonardwood,MO. Second when I went through we didn't have internet and days off. We did get one phone call a week. Besides that the training is fairly simple. I would advise though to pay attention to the field training especially now because MPs deploy alot now. Hopefully that helps alittle
BCT can be at a number of locations. The Army does try to have soldiers complete their BCT at the same site as their AIT, but that doesn't always happen. Some MOS's are OSUT (One Station Unit Training). The BCT and AIT are combined, with gradual priveleges as the weeks go by. I'm not sure if MP is OSUT or not. I did BCT at Ft Leonard Wood, not too bad. It's known to be one of the "tougher" locations, but that was years ago. It's all changed now.
MP school is OSUT. It is a 20 week program at FT Leonard Wood, also called Fort Lost in the Woods. There is nothing around for miles except a Wal-Mart, but you dont have to worry about that until you graduate. MP school is tough and there are little priveleges given depending on your company. Don't except many passes as MP's are held to a higher standard during schooling. You should be ok if you are there in the summer, its humid but in the winter you will freeze.
Posts: 1 | Location: somewhere in the desert | Registered: 19 June 2006
Yahh, it's a vacation! Actually, all the Privates do all day is sit around all day drink beer and talk to the Drills... Oh, and you get ever other day off!!!
Go get'em tiger! <with thumbs up>
Posts: 6 | Location: Sin City | Registered: 28 August 2005
The major difference between Marine Corps Boot Camp and Army Basic Combat Training is that the Marines spend more time on Drill and Ceremony. Other than that you do the same stuff like PT, weapons, learn Soldier Skills and all the other stuff.
I went through Marine Corps Recruit Training at Parris Island, SC. That was back in 1990 so there has been significant changes both in the Army and USMC basic training since then. I didn't have to go to Army BCT because I was still current on training and recently got out of the USMCR. I got "stuck like chuck" in the Army abyss called "Prior Service" group at FT Jackson, SC. It was a shock for me because I was not use to seeing female and male recruits drill and stay in the same general area. Yes the Drills were difficult on them and they had their "stress monsters" out in full force but there were some differences in Basic Training. I asked a few NCOs about this and they told me that this was "Relaxation Jackson" and if I had seen where the infantry or combat arms Soldiers attend then I would see the similiarities between the two services. That was a bit alarming. Is Marine Corps Basic "harder" than Army? There are strengths and weaknesses in both programs, both serve their purpose and both complete the mission in training civilians and turning them into military servicemembers. I didn't see Soldiers walking around acting like that it was a cake-walk. It depends on the Drill Sergeants and what method they take to instill values. They may have had more oppourtunities to call home or small things like that but the Marines are trained for a different mission than the Army just as the Army is not trained for Naval duty or Air Operations like the Air Force. As long as you maintain your bearing, focus on learning what is being taught, and strive to do the right thing and do your best, you'll be fine.
One team One fight.
Posts: 213 | Location: 513th MI BDE, Fort Gordon, GA | Registered: 06 July 2006
Nope, but I just got done training 20 Marines to take over our job and had about 3 months of little to talk about other than the differences between the tw services. I am going off of the information which we basically came to agreement upon about the two different training curiculums.
I was not stating an all inclusive list of the differences between the two, rather what the major difference is/was. IT seemed like no matter what we comapred we all did basically the same thing expect that Marines tended to put more of an emphasis on the Drill and Ceremoney portion spending much more time on it than we did.
Ft. Leonard Wood is different now days. Marines and Army go there. They do meet in the Practical events. When Army is going through different scenarios like calls to areas for different things...rape, domestic, etc.... Marines are the people in the scenarios and Army goes to the calls. The OSUT there is pretty lax unless you have certain drill sergeants. Phones are used and you have things normally not given. For PT, you will wear the old marshmallow suit until you pass the test and earn your PT's.
Posts: 34 | Location: A.Co. 3/485 IT | Registered: 25 August 2006
It is like everything else. I have talked to former marines who have changed over to the army, my basic training, Ft Benning, GA, was not much different, if any, than theirs. People just like to boast on the idea that marines are tougher than soldiers. I have seen some ate up marines, just as I have seen ate up soldiers. In the end, we all have our own place in the military, filling our own roles. Besides, we all bleed red when shot, eh?
Yahh, it's a vacation! Actually, all the Privates do all day is sit around all day drink beer and talk to the Drills... Oh, and you get ever other day off!!!
Leave it to a Recruiter to make a statement like that. Been There...Done that, but never BS'd an applicant or a DEP with that kind of garbage!
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