PREPARED TO SUCCEED

How to help your son or daughter prepare physically for Marine Corps Boot Camp (Recruit Training).

A recruiter will give your son or daughter a training guide, complete with exercises, instructions, and special tips. This guide tracks the recruit's progress and recommends completing periodic trial runs of the Initial Strength Test (IST) and Physical Fitness Test (PFT), which are necessary to begin Recruit Training.

Your son or daughter should start a fitness program as soon as possible.

Your encouragement will be an integral success factor.

Your son or daughter's daily exercises should include aerobic training, such as walking, adding intervals of jogging over time, and progressing toward running. Have them begin slowly or moderately and slowly increase the pace. Swimming is also a part of Recruit Training, so your family member should become comfortable in the water.

Training clothes should be loose and comfortable, and quality running shoes should be worn to provide the best protection for impact on pavement. Cross-training shoes that provide the flexibility for various exercises are also a good option. Those in training need to drink extra fluids before and after exercising. Stretching muscles both prior to the workout and after helps reduce injuries.