themattmeister wrote:Did anyone have to get another pair of boots because the ones they got after PRMC were too big? Do you get thrashed as a consequence?
Not that I know of mate. It's quite easy to just exchange them to be honest. Just say to your drill leader (who is your 'father figure' for the first two weeks) and when you go to get your drill boots, you should be able to exchange them at the same time.
themattmeister wrote:
Other then that you couldn't give a brief rundown of what happens when you get there?
When you first get there, you all line up at the gate like you do on PRMC and wait for the DL to come and pick you up and take you into the foundation block. You get in there and your name is on a locker/bedspace. You basically sit around there until everyone is there, then later on you go into a lecture room where you all swear the oath of allegeance. At that time is the last time you can opt out. Once you swear the oath of allegiance, you are theres for at least 28 days (plus 14 days notice), unless you get MD'd or are under 18 (where you can leave anytime).
After that you basically get issued a tracksuit that you will wear until you get your cs95 rig. Its basically a green top with black trousers with 'Royal Marines Recruit training' on it.
The next couple of days are filled with getting, fitting and naming kit, lectures/welcome chats, dental/medicals and PT.
Your first PT session will be in civvie clothes where you just do gym test 1 again, though this time when you do push ups, sit ups and pull ups, you do it to a beep. Most of our lads got worse scores on this compared to their PRMC due to the fact that you have to do it to the beep, not your own time. They arent that fussed on if you have a slightly worse score (well they didnt say anything to us!).
Also, you'll do a 3 miler a day or two later, where you do 1.5 miles squadded, then back 1.5miles in best effort (you need to get under 11.30). We were an above average fitness troop according to them and no one got over 9.45.
Some things I'd recommend buying/obtaining before going:
Hangers - including those trouser hangers. You'll probably need about 5 'normal' hangers, and 2 trouser hangers.
Polish - It costs about £2.50 here in the NAAFI, so buy some normal kiwi polish (2 tins at least)
A good cloth - that you will use to bull your drill boots. The polishing dusters are a bit crap as they leave yellow bits of fluff on it. I used cotton balls in the end with great results.
Swimming trunks
- Yep, the speedo style! Or tight shorts.....PTI's HATE the baggy shorts style and say for people who have them to go and buy some speedo-style ones
Ironing Board - Yes, you may look a bit weird on the train with one of these, but the ones in foundation are crap and there arent enough to go around. They sell them in the NAAFI but are priced £22.50! So best to buy one now to save time waiting for a board and money.
Sealable freezer bags - In different sizes, particuly large.
Couple of pieces of advice too -
Secure your lockers with the provided padlocks and keys and DO NOT stowe the keys under your pillow or on top of your cupboard. Stowe them in the key bucket. Cpl's know where to find them and if they do, expect to come back to either push ups to get your keys back, or worse....a trashed locker!
Do everything lighting quick. Don't bimble around. They hate it. You have to run everywhere and do things as fast as you can.
Name you kit. After exercise first step we had a load of kit go missing/get mixed up because people didnt name their kit. Especially poncho's
Also, it says on the joining list to take £40 which should be enough....I dont think it is to be honest. Most people had literally no money left by the end of week 2. We got forwarded £100 at the end of week 1 but you spend most of that ashore in Exeter buying kit (not beer)
I cant think of anymore things to buy extra right now, but I'm sure Oz, Sully, Sabbo or Ghostrider may be able to help out when they get back later on!
LOL