Even if you workout, lift weights and can rip telephone books in half, you will not be prepared for the amount of pushups you’ll be required to do. Here’s a good rule of thumb: be able to 125 straight pushups and build up to 1000 a day. Even if you have to forgo some gym time, do it.

Benching 300lbs, squatting 500lbs and curling 150lbs simply won’t help you when you’re face down in the mud with a DI screaming at you to quit and drop out because you’re struggling with getting to the 500th pushup of the day.

To recap Days 1-7:

1. Listen and be prepared to do nonsensical things without questioning them.

2. Give zero advice at this stage to other recruits. Just follow DI orders unless you are specifically asked to offer your own and then make it short. On occasion, offer encouragement to those who "get it" but may be physically hurting. Never try to verbally prod a slacker although physically helping up a teammate at your own expense can sometimes endear yourself to the team. It may or may not endear yourself to the DIs but offering a helping hand at the right time is often better than stepping on a fallen Marine just so you can finish a run, for example.

3. Never, ever, ever, refer to yourself as anything other than "this recruit". Ever, right from the minute your bus disembarks. Same goes for fellow trainees – they must be referred to "these recruits". The DIs will be specific if they want you to refer to someone by name.

4. Get used to saying "yes sir" and always look everyone in the eye unless specifically asked not to.

5. Be able to run 4 miles in under 40 minutes.

6. Be able to do 125-150 pushups non-stop, (resting in up position), and do 500 total per day for weeks before you go off to marine training.

This is a good start for anyone considering joining the Marines. Week 2 will be coming soon. These lessons will at least keep much of the heat off of you and onto those who the DIs would like to get some to either drop out or make serious gains.

You can get the entire Weeks 1- 12, official combat manuals, combat tips, both physical and mental toughness training tips and more by signing up for my free newsletter "Military Tough".

You’ll learn all aspects of physical and mental toughness necessary for all branches of the armed service and corresponding Special Forces.

Thanks for reading, good luck.

M.A. Coates

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