Everywhere I look these days the term "Boot Camp" is as common as Starbucks. Advertisements boast life changing results through hard work by getting back to basics with whatever you are working on or involved with. The term is being used by financial institutions, e-mail marketing groups, culinary schools and soft wear companies. I think the biggest abuse is currently done by people who work in the fitness industry. Interesting...Suddenly the term seems to fascinate and motivate people some very strange ways.
But why?
Do you think that a screaming Drill Sergeant or Trainer will really help motivate you to do a bunch of stuff you really don't want to do?
Or is it an ego thing that more or less allows you to look and feel like a "Bad Ass" in the yes of your friends and family?
Either way I think most people are missing the point. Boot Camp is rite of passage a game of sorts if you will.
I went through Boot Camp, real boot camp. I was young, naive and ready to take on the world. Or so I truly believed. I decided to join the Navy. I had no idea of the state of economy the direction of our government or the potential for international conflict. All I really wanted was some international adventure, my education paid for and learn something that could be used in the real world.
It all started as soon as we got to the gate of the of the base and didn't seem to let up until we left that base. For 16 weeks we couldn't do anything right and even when We did there was still some fault or I was simply reminded that We could always do it better. We barely slept and we barely ate. I say "WE" and emphasize "WE" because as a company of about 80 men "WE" did everything together. Everything! If I took a shower, it was with 10 other guys, if I took a crap it was on a toilet with no stalls. If one guy couldn't make his bed properly we all did push ups. If part of the marching party couldn't get the steps right we'd all march from the middle of the day until the middle of the night. It was ruthless, relentless and unforgiving. I felt humiliated and uninspired. Beaten broken and scared day in and day out. We resisted our company commanders and worse We fought each other mentally and physically and for what, our country? The experience was mesmerizing! We completely immersed in this world, we knew nothing, said nothing unless we were told to. I was lost until, I actually learned how to play their game. I had to surrender to what was right in front of me and realize that all they were trying to do was break me down in order to surrender to the team and then they would build me back up. Still one of the most intense experiences of my life with a huge reward at the end the completion of boot camp.
Since this was so monumental as a rite of passage your damn right I get pissed off when people casually use the term "Boot Camp". A group of soccer mom's running around a park doing fitness minded human movements is NOT A BOOT CAMP it's a group workout or group fitness class. Please be mindful of the people who have endured the rite of passage and what it truly represents. It's ones ability to be broken down, conform, then be rebuilt in a stronger form mentally and physically. Most of the people I encounter who boast about their involvement in these Pseudo Boot Camps make me laugh. The true nature of what Boot Camp is all about would frighten most and debilitate even more. As for the people who are cashing in on the Boot Camp name, I understand your goal. We are hear to motivate people to live healthy lifestyles and make money. But, when your ready to step up and really understand the true nature of what Boot Camp really means, stop and think for a moment and ask yourself. Do I have what it takes to be a "Boot" because in the end result the pushups were easy...Laying awake all night, trying to figure out the game while listening to someone off in the distance cry themselves to sleep was the real challenge. Not to mention trying to muster up the courage to take a poop in front of 20 other guys!
But why?
Do you think that a screaming Drill Sergeant or Trainer will really help motivate you to do a bunch of stuff you really don't want to do?
Or is it an ego thing that more or less allows you to look and feel like a "Bad Ass" in the yes of your friends and family?
Either way I think most people are missing the point. Boot Camp is rite of passage a game of sorts if you will.
I went through Boot Camp, real boot camp. I was young, naive and ready to take on the world. Or so I truly believed. I decided to join the Navy. I had no idea of the state of economy the direction of our government or the potential for international conflict. All I really wanted was some international adventure, my education paid for and learn something that could be used in the real world.
It all started as soon as we got to the gate of the of the base and didn't seem to let up until we left that base. For 16 weeks we couldn't do anything right and even when We did there was still some fault or I was simply reminded that We could always do it better. We barely slept and we barely ate. I say "WE" and emphasize "WE" because as a company of about 80 men "WE" did everything together. Everything! If I took a shower, it was with 10 other guys, if I took a crap it was on a toilet with no stalls. If one guy couldn't make his bed properly we all did push ups. If part of the marching party couldn't get the steps right we'd all march from the middle of the day until the middle of the night. It was ruthless, relentless and unforgiving. I felt humiliated and uninspired. Beaten broken and scared day in and day out. We resisted our company commanders and worse We fought each other mentally and physically and for what, our country? The experience was mesmerizing! We completely immersed in this world, we knew nothing, said nothing unless we were told to. I was lost until, I actually learned how to play their game. I had to surrender to what was right in front of me and realize that all they were trying to do was break me down in order to surrender to the team and then they would build me back up. Still one of the most intense experiences of my life with a huge reward at the end the completion of boot camp.
Since this was so monumental as a rite of passage your damn right I get pissed off when people casually use the term "Boot Camp". A group of soccer mom's running around a park doing fitness minded human movements is NOT A BOOT CAMP it's a group workout or group fitness class. Please be mindful of the people who have endured the rite of passage and what it truly represents. It's ones ability to be broken down, conform, then be rebuilt in a stronger form mentally and physically. Most of the people I encounter who boast about their involvement in these Pseudo Boot Camps make me laugh. The true nature of what Boot Camp is all about would frighten most and debilitate even more. As for the people who are cashing in on the Boot Camp name, I understand your goal. We are hear to motivate people to live healthy lifestyles and make money. But, when your ready to step up and really understand the true nature of what Boot Camp really means, stop and think for a moment and ask yourself. Do I have what it takes to be a "Boot" because in the end result the pushups were easy...Laying awake all night, trying to figure out the game while listening to someone off in the distance cry themselves to sleep was the real challenge. Not to mention trying to muster up the courage to take a poop in front of 20 other guys!
