MC Perspective: How to survive Recruit Training Command (aka Navy boot camp)

SN Andrew Murray...selfie.

I make it a habit to hound recent boot camp graduates for their thoughts and advice for future campers.  Seaman Andrew Murray, 23, and Seaman Rachel Rakoff, 26, are fresh from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

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What was the most challenging part of boot camp?

MURRAY:  I realized a couple months before shipping out that my legs did not float. At all. From that day forward, I spent several hours a week in the pool, practicing my prone float. That part of the swim test turned out to be much easier than I'd anticipated, and I would've been fine without the practice. What actually turned out to be the toughest part was P-days, or processing. The first week or so of boot camp is full of paperwork, shots, sitting and standing. Mostly sitting and standing. All this idle time coupled with the culture shock of it all really sent me for a loop.

"The first couple days, I asked myself several times 

what the hell I was doing there."

Had I made a huge, 5-year mistake? The feeling passed within the week and boot camp turned out to be kind of fun...maybe.

RAKOFF:  My biggest challenge at boot camp was trying to get along with, and take care of, the kids who struggled with things like rack making, proper folding and stowing.  I can only do so much to fix someone else. Wait, I lied: my biggest challenge was staying out of the drama and fights that will happen daily if you live with others in close quarters. It's unavoidable. Related advice: please, for the love of all that is holy - don't feel the need to have the last word. It's boot camp. It is not worth your anger or your time. Know when not to pick a fight over dumb things.

SN Rachel Rakoff, center...selfie.

 

What advice would you give to a Sailor headed to Recruit Training Command?

MURRAY:  As much as you can, prepare to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is, I think, the most important skill I learned in boot camp. From living with 80+ people in one big room, to showering with 20 of those 80 people every day, to waking up in the dead of night for a two-hour watch, boot camp is about sucking it up and adapting.

"If you come in ready to take things as they come, 

you'll be much better off."

RAKOFF:  Don't panic about haircuts. Seriously, it's not worth it. I panicked before I left, because I was so afraid I would hate having to work out without being able to put my hair back. Honestly, it’s easier than I thought it would be. Some RDCs allow you to use bobby pins, and some don’t. Mine never did, but I managed. I would highly advise getting it done before you get there, and get it cut short enough so they never have to cut it while you’re there, because the barbers there will jack up your haircut. I promise you, it’s not that bad. 

Don't stress out about group showers. Yes, you will shower in a medium-sized room with 80 other girls around two poles with roughly six showerheads (presuming they all work). I’ve been self-conscious all my life, and I survived. The first chance we had to shower, we’d been awake for about 40 hours and we smelled horrific. I stripped down and jumped in without any shame. There’s no sense in trying to cover up and be modest – just jump in. You’ll have to do it anyway, may as well get in the shower while everyone else is too scared to be undressed in front of everyone else. It means you’ll get in and out first.

"Learn to shower quickly. Boot camp is no place 
to be high maintenance. It’s just not worth it."

The first night you get there and you get issued some of your gear, don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t fit. Especially sports bras, because you will be living in them - and that includes sleeping in them. You will not get yelled at, and it will only make you miserable if you don’t take care of it then. If you wait until later, your RDCs will get mad and ask why you didn’t speak up during first issue. The same thing goes for when you get your boots fitted.

Learn your ranks and recognition and 11 orders of a sentry prior to getting there. You'll have to learn them there anyway but if you already know it, especially ranks, you will have more time to sleep and less stress.  I can't emphasize that enough. 

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I AM YOUR EYES:  Big ups to both of you!  I know you're busy with school...we really appreciate the great gouge. 

MC Perspective: Student life and...Harry Potter?

We all know my favorite thing is when other MCs do my work for me.  Well I just accidentally came across these photos on a current 'A' school student's Facebook page.  I'm very happy that MCSA Gabriel Kotico is taking great photos AND adding interesting captions.  I'm not happy no one told me about these, and I found them on accident.  ;)

'A' school life is solid gold to my readers!

Day 32 August 5, 2014 | Quidditch Det Cup

It's Harry Potter Week at the Navy detachment and today we played Quidditch. I'm not in a house, so I played as the Golden Snitch. I switched off and shot some photos. Sports photography is HARD. Fake-sports photography is near impossible! My action shots were pretty bad so here's a group photo.

I Am Your Eyes:  We want a video of this don't we readers?

Day 42 August 15, 2014 | Nickels, Dimes and Afternoon Quarters

With Class 040 moving on, new Sailors need to step up and fill the leadership positions. Here are some of the newest section leaders reciting the Sailor's Creed to conclude afternoon quarters.

Day 52 August 25, 2014 | Gooooood Morning, Navy!

One thing that I did honestly enjoy (most of the time at least) was marching. During "A" school, we march to the school house every morning and conclude our trip there with the Morning Motivation, or Morning Moto. This is supposed to get us motivated for the rest of the day, show our Navy pride , and teach the other branches who really is the best.

Day 55 August 28, 2014 | Earn Your Weekend

Today marked the start of Labor Day weekend but before that all the "A" schoolers had PT with the detachment officer in charge and Chief. They called it the "Earn Your Weekend PT." I wish I would have joined them instead of just take pictures because it looked pretty intense. This picture is showing just the start of the entire workout. Bear crawls uphill, crab walks downhill, burpees, running, and a whole lot more. Next time I'll definitely join in.

MCSA Gabriel Kotico

(Looking forward to a HART group photo.)

On call at the Pentagon

Training to control and switch between three remote cameras.

I'm at the Pentagon in the control room next to the Department of Defense press briefing room. I'm on call occasionally to show up if something major goes down and the Pentagon's press secretary, Rear Admiral Kirby, needs to release information outside of normal working hours. The joystick in front of me is used to control three cameras remotely.

Survival tip:  Get to the Pentagon early, because running backwards and blindfolded through a hedge maze is easier than figuring out where to park.

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

MC Perspective: Brand Yourself (with a drone)

MC2 A.J. Johnson shooting Monday Night Football, Eagles v Redskins 2013.

I'm going to be honest with you.  (We're in the trust tree right?)  Whenever I see an MC put out really good work, I feel:

1. happy for them (and my blog)
2. jealous, and afraid that my own stuff sucks

So um, yeah.  MC2 Andrew Johnson just did a really cool video using a DRONE.  Watch the piece, and read how he did it below.


Watch the video.


Why'd you make this video?

The video was an assignment for my PR master’s program at Full Sail. The program is very “brand you” centric. This particular assignment was meant to be a two-minute brand video under that same concept. Each student has a website that we fill with different projects from the program. My initial idea was to set up a two-camera interview and do a photo/video slideshow but I was inspired by MC2 David Cothran, who pushed me to make something of a higher quality. It’s tough balancing school with frequent work travel so most of my assignments have been about or aligned with whatever story I’ve been shooting. 

During this week’s assignment I was up in Massachusetts doing a story on the Constitution for a few days then we drove to Fall River and shot a piece at Battleship Cove. In true Sailor fashion I procrastinated until the last minute and put the entire thing together the day it was due. I decided to make the narration a simple dialogue of my story and how I’ve learned over the years. For my b-roll I wanted to go heavy on the visuals and mixed a highlight reel of footage I had available with a trick I tried on a previous magazine piece but got shot down. 


Drones!  Tell us about THAT.

Being in the D.C. area has put me in touch with some outstanding Military visual storytellers. I’ve attended the D.C. photo and video shoot off several times and was first introduced to aerial video there during the Propeller Heads (http://www.propheadsphoto.com/)presentation. Although, their first presentation literally scared the enthusiasm right out of me. But last year another student brought his Phantom and after seeing the footage he captured I knew I needed one. I’m like most MCs, I started slow got hooked and have been gradually acquiring my own gear. I recently purchased my first DSLR (Nikon 610) and only have one lens. But I’m constantly searching the internet for bargains. 

 "...their first presentation literally 

scared the enthusiasm right out of me."

Deal or not the lenses I want to purchase next cost nearly $2k. So when I first started really looking into the Phantom I found that I could purchase a complete kit for less than that one piece of glass. I already owned a GoPro and couldn’t think of a better mount. The possibilities with that setup are truly limitless. I’m still learning but my confidence grows with each flight. I should note that I spent countless hours on YouTube before ever taking off.

Dear mom and dad, just got done shooting F-35C aircraft. How was your day?

How did you do that cool 3d photo effect, oh and the time lapse Photoshop work? 

The 3D photo effect is an After Effects trick to simulate 3D. Using clean select and a few other Photoshop tools you can easily set up a solid clip. There are countless videos online and not enough time to watch all the great ones. 

The time-lapse graphic production shot was recorded using QuickTime and played at 1600% speed. Considering I was TAD and didn’t have access to most of my work I used the same QuickTime screen recording trick and played by clips on YouTube in 1080p then ingested those clips into Premiere. 
 

What advice would you give to a new MC, if they want to stand out from the crowd?

NEVER STOP BEING A STUDENT:  There are plenty of talented people out there and a lot of them are online trying to tell you how they just did whatever trick. Subscribe to a few YouTube channels and keep your eyes on sites line Video CoPilot http://www.videocopilot.net/ and FStoppers https://fstoppers.com/, they are great for inspiration. 

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN:  I constantly find myself watching TV or a movie intro thinking…how did they just do that or better yet, how could I do that. We are part of a unique rate that require more than just being dedicated as a Sailor.  

PASSION IS WHAT STANDS OUT:  It shows in your work and everything you do. With each job I start I try and incorporate at least one new trick. Then after a handful of jobs you’re throwing your multiple elements from your arsenal at each project. 

TRY TO FIND YOUR OWN PROJECTS:  Sure your LPO or Chief will find one for you but you're off to a great start if you can do the research and sell them on “your” idea.