Boot Camp - First 24 hours

Step off the plane in chicago, scared, dont know anything about anything anymore. We head our way to the USO, which is where they told us to go, but on the way there, we saw a bunch of kids in a circle with manilla folders, (dead give away). There was a guy in the middle telling them different instructions, empty your pockets of knives, cigarettes, etc. So we got in line behind a bunch of kids who were already in line. It was all quiet. Soon it was my turn to step up in this circle of like 50 kids. Only thing i remember is that one girl ran to the trash can puking, didnt make it in time, and another girl flat out passed out. hahah guess im happy that wasnt me, but it was stressful. Next part of the trip was lining up to get on the bus to go to recruit training command aka 8 weeks of hell. We stepped onto the bus, watched a movie on what to expect, and sent out our last desperate text messages to loved ones. 45 minutes late we arrived through the gates (10pm), and stepped off the bus.

This is the dredded moment when the yelling begins, and never stops. Asked to get in 2 lines empty our pockets and shut up. We had 2 minutes to call our families and tell them 1. made it safe 2. a box will be sent home with our stuff 3. we will call you in 4-5 weeks, and then hang up. My dad said it was like talking to an automated voice robot, cuz i couldnt say anything else.
After this, the real fun begin, we got fitted for running shoes, stood in lines for hours on end, got yelled at for falling asleep, took a urinalysis with like 100 other guys, etc. When we stood in line we had to stand "heal to toe" which was the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Everyone smelt so bad, and it was getting rough. You would stare at the clock wondering what time they would release you for bed, but they never do. Come to find out its just to get everyone on the same sleeping schedule, ughhh.
So next was getting our sea bag, we went through some more lines getting panties, socks, sweats, all the basics- hygiene materials. At this point we had a box in front of us in which all our civilian attire was to be shipped home in. we all stripped ass naked, put skivvies and sweats on, and packed our box home.

Once our sea bag was packed, and we waited around for enough time, it was about 6am at this point. We went to one last final room with a bunch of desks. We waited there for like an hour and were split into 2 groups of about 90 a piece. Little did we know these would be our "divisions" or people we would spend the next couple weeks with. I was division 099, and was happy to be in that division. After that, we went to our compartment- which was 50 racks in one big room, and got a bunk mate, and hung our stuff up. Finally time for some food, breakfast (chow). We all ate a crap ton of food, in the 12 minutes we had to eat, and people were still falling asleep left and right. They couldnt make us do pushups or anything yet cuz we were not "fit for full duty" yet, which was nice. The day went by slow, but you look forward to lunch and dinner. Once 2000(8pm) hit, it was lights out. Probably the best sleep everyone got in their life. So much snoring.