quote:

Originally posted by Lindsey82:
Funky I sincerely doubt that I contribute to more deaths as vegan than someone who eats meat. The cows eat way more than I do and thus more land is used to mangle other critters, whether the grain on it can be consumed by people or not. And I am not a "pompous coc*" I didn't come in this forum with an attitude or a vegan word spreading agenda and I still don't have one, as much as it seems people would like to rattle me. I came with respect and honest questions and I thank those that responded with the same. Like it or not, barring some injury in Boot I will be your little sister by late August!

Don't take it so seriously, he writes like that about everything.

quote:

Originally posted by Funkymustafa:

quote:

Originally posted by Lindsey82:
Funky I sincerely doubt that I contribute to more deaths as vegan than someone who eats meat. The cows eat way more than I do and thus more land is used to mangle other critters, whether the grain on it can be consumed by people or not. And I am not a "pompous coc*" I didn't come in this forum with an attitude or a vegan word spreading agenda and I still don't have one, as much as it seems people would like to rattle me. I came with respect and honest questions and I thank those that responded with the same. Like it or not, barring some injury in Boot I will be your little sister by late August!

Don't take it so seriously, he writes like that about everything.

Like the guy who wrote the article, many only think of the actual deaths of the animals. In principal, I could eat an animal who lived free and was killed by a hunter. To me it's more about quality of life.

I am sure that Lindsey understands as well as I do that it will be harder to be a vegetarian in Boot than it will be for others. But not being a vegetarian is just not an option for some, so instead of telling us to eat meat, let us know what we will have access to.

Salad, fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes, beans (?), bread, cheese, milk, cereal (?), what else?

Hollywood, what program is needed to open your link? We don't seem to have it...

What you get to eat in boot camp is not going to be your biggest concern. Frankly, I never really recall being hungry until food was actually in front of me. My mind was more preoccupied with not eyeballing the area and not sticking out, eating as much and as fast as possible and not attracting the DI's attention. Running a marathon is not so like boot camp as you might think. I ran the Pittsburgh marathon 3 years in a row. There is no one cheering you on in boot camp. No one will hand you water and no one will give you a blanket when you start to freeze from dehydration and exhaustion. Marathons only last for a few hours. Boot camp lasts for several weeks and you will become dehydrated and your muscles will cramp and you will thirst and you will go on anyway. No one will feel sorry for you, no one will help you because everyone around you will be in the same boat. Oddly, that is a comfort in itself. You will come to a point when you tell your body to do something and it just wont. For me, this was humiliating and frustrating and it enraged me. I was laying face down in the dirt and dust at BWT and I just couldn't do one more push up. I was getting some loving IPT for a screw-up so it was some fun one on one quality time with the DI. I was the guy that just never quit, so when my body was used up, my mind was not and it was the first time I found that my body actually had a limit. When chow time came, it was an MRE and it was whatever I got, and it was probably Chicken ala King or some other thing, and after we gave up our condiment packets, coffee and other things, we had a pork patty, dehydrated, one each and a packet of crackers and a tube of cheese. Yummy. We get 2 minutes to eat, so rehydrating meat isn't a priority. When your 2 minutes are up, you spit out whatever's in your mouth and you do what you're told to. It is my recommendation to you that you're personal decisions regarding your religion, racisms, personal hygiene, politics and so on be shelved while in boot camp. Pull them down after and evaluate. If you can actually stay awake after lights out, think about it then. As boot camp goes on, you will figure out what you can get away with. The first 3 weeks were the most difficult for me for I had no idea what boot camp was until I got there. I was a farm boy who had to dig fence post holes by hand so when the DI told us that we were going outside to DIG, I thought I had a handle on things....wrong again. Once again, rambling on and on. Boot Camp is unlike anything you will ever attempt, and if you wash out it will be because you chose to and no one will care but you. If you succeed, then you truly will be one of The Few and The Proud.

Before BWT, I was probably about 150 lbs. I bet I was down to 130 by the end and I never felt stronger. I didn't recognize me in the mirror back at the squadbay. Boot camp is a time of personal discovery and only you will have to deal with the decisions you make, but everyone around you will pay for them.

quote:

Running a marathon is not so like boot camp as you might think. I ran the Pittsburgh marathon 3 years in a row. There is no one cheering you on in boot camp. No one will hand you water and no one will give you a blanket when you start to freeze from dehydration and exhaustion. Marathons only last for a few hours. Boot camp lasts for several weeks and you will become dehydrated and your muscles will cramp and you will thirst and you will go on anyway. No one will feel sorry for you, no one will help you because everyone around you will be in the same boat.

Well said All I know is that all the Marines here Lindsey82 are just giving you words of wisdom, nothing against you being a vegetarian, these are wisdoms that have been learned in bootcamp and in there Marine Corps career.

Before I went to bootcamp, I thought I was an awesome runner, I did not run the 3 miles, I sprinted the 3 miles but after a few weeks in bootcamp I felt pain where I thought pain cannot occur. Sometimes the pain so intense that I cannot even raise my legs to keep in step during drill. I was so hungry sometimes that I would even try to mix the condiments in the MREs in order to make "Ranger pudding".

True they will have salads and rice besides meat products but what would you do if they ran out of those before your platoon gets to the chowhall?

Good luck in bootcamp by the way and remember the old bootcamp saying: Take it day by day, chow by chow.

PV

quote:

Originally posted by Aravis:
Hollywood, what program is needed to open your link?.

Microsoft Excell Worksheet

Ok, first off I was not equating marathons with Boot Camp. I was just using it as example to demonstrate the fact that I can handle physical exertion. I realize Boot Camp will be a monster of a challenge but I know I'm up for it. Considering that what, only about 15% don't complete Boot, I will not be "washing out." I'm too stubborn to quit.
As far as being offended, I'm not. I have a pretty thick skin.
Vagabond, I understand what you are saying about getting enough energy but I cannot just shelve my beliefs as MT Tech has suggested. I was under the impression that integrity was of great importance to Marines. I know you mean well and thanks for wishing me luck and thanks to all the Marines for their service.

Integrity is a core value of the Marine Corps. I was recommeding to you that setting youself apart from the other recruits with something so superficial as you have suggested is perhaps not the wisest course of action. Now, as you have previously posted, you take this meat eating thing very seriously. I do not. Ninety-nine percent of other people don't take it seriously either. Do you believe that Drill Instructors will either? To assume that I will be offended by a flip comment like "I was under the impression that integrity was of great importance to Marines" would be correct. Frankly, I don't care if you make it or not. The answers to your original post have all generally gone along the lines of "yes, you probably could survive on green beans" and "good luck, but expect to be singled out for it" and "choose your words carefully, Marines don't take insults to the Corps lightly" . Next time, just call me an a**hole directly. I will personally challenge you to not eat any meat products throughout your recruit training. Try to avoid being in the 15%. Your personal integrity will be tested. The thickness of your skin will be measured. The depth of your enduce will be sounded. When and if you make it, and you earn the title Marine, you will have earned my respect. If you can do boot and not eat any meat, in your words, maintain your integrity, you will have earned my admiration. Until that time has arrived, your still just a recruit. On the flip side...I like your attitude. Good luck to you.

i heard it was like 3 or 5 percent don't make it through. I know that I am not going to be in that small percentage not to graduate. I can guarantee it thanks to all the Marines who doubt it or say I cant make it cause it only drives me to be twice as good as before. Thanks

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Originally posted by 14769287:
i heard it was like 3 or 5 percent don't make it through.

The dropout/attrition rate is much higher than that. I don't know exact percentages but I'd guess low teens for males, mid-high teens for females. Probably even higher if you include those who don't graduate with their original platoon due to being dropped back.

I don't know why everyone has their panties in a bunch about defending their vegetarian beliefs, et al. Whatever, if you really want to do it you're going to do it. We are simply saying it's going to be a lot harder on you and you should be thusly prepared for the possibility. Nobody is going to put a gun to your head and say be a Marine or be a vegetarian.

MT Tech, woah, easy tiger. I apologize if my comment offended you. It honestly was not my intention. If I wanted to call you a name I would have as I am a very straight forward person. As I stated before, I respect all those who have earned the title and I never insulted the Corps. Why would I? I want to be part of it. I have no wish to set myself apart in Boot and I'm not trying to have a debate on the merits of vegetarianism but obviously I do not consider it a "superficial" conviction. The intention of my original post was to satisfy my curiosity about what food is available. I got a little frustrated when almost all the posts afterwards were telling me I should drop my beliefs and just eat meat. It is my personal convictions that made me choose to join the Corps and I don't see how a person can just disconnect oneself from the ideology they hold dear.
Funky when you post a website like that you are revealing your beliefs and you've got to expect its going to get some sort of reaction. I really don't think I've got my "panties in a bunch" but I'll keep checkin

Moderator - please lock this thread.

The attention whore got her answers.

Subsequent responses to this fruitcake will only continue her exercise in Munchausen by internet.

WHAT?!?
What did I do wrong? I don't understand but I won't post anymore on this thread if that's how you feel. Bye.

In boot, you get a lot of duck on the menu. Duck in, duck out. You aren't going to have time to be selecting your tray items. It is not a leisurely meal at the local Wyatt's Cafeteria with the family. You will get your chow, put your face down to the tray, an start shovelling. Chewing is optional. You will eat everything you can possibly get down your throat, and still want more. Enjoy your meals at home while you can. Concentrate on PT, instead.

Sorry, I couldn't resist any longer.

thats funny Hollywood I am not like most I don't care about how animals are treated I am just truly dedicated to getting in even a better shape then what I am. I have been told by many that I am in good shape and they don't see why I feel like i need to loose but I am not happy therefore I will keep it up

quote:

Originally posted by 14769287:
thats funny Hollywood I am not like most I don't care about how animals are treated

I'm really sorry you feel like that, but if that's the case then you've made a big mistake going vegetarian. How about doing some research on dieting instead of doing yourself more harm than good by guessing what's good for you and what's not.

Hollywood,

Example:

Female, 19yrs old. Consumed about 5500 calories a day from my MRE's and Fat Body throw backs during our 3 day field Op.

Ended up losing weight because of all the physical activity.

Just a vivid reminder of what you are facing as far as needed calorie intake in BootCamp. Do you think you will be able to consume that kind of calories on a vegetarian diet? Good Luck!

Lindsey82

I want to wish you luck in boot camp. You seem to have a strong unwavering character about you that will, no doubt, help you through. I don't know what you're gonna be able to do because I haven't been there, I'm an Army Soldier who went through last century some time. Hopefully, you'll have access to a salad bar with an abundance of RAW fruits and veggies, nuts, and seeds... I didn't then. Eat as much as you can scarf down, train your jaws now to chew plants really fast. Pass the lettuce and go for spinach, skip the dressings and squeeze an orange or lemon onto your veggies. Also, honey if they got it. Eat as many cucumbers and tomatoes as you can handle at every meal. These two are especially important for bone growth because they have loads of magnesium and silicon which form an alchemical bond that allows your body to assimilate calcium better. Calcium overload without these vital nutrients just causes bones to become harder, but brittle. Silicon or a piece of coral, which seems more suitable to coat and protect your bones? right! Eat as many nuts and legumes as you can.. avocados and others natural fats as available and this will get you through those long days. Fat is the best fuel, but the fuel is only as good as the source. It just sucks that you can't choose the source, you'll manage. Protein? um, all plants have amino acids which are proteins. Stick with the dark greens and colorful plants, mushrooms too. Protein gets way too much attention these days. Eat as pure and as natural as you can. drink only water and maybe some of the juice they serve. Let your intuition be your guide. When your body is satisfied nutritionally, not multi-vitamin saturated, hunger seems to disappear! Seems crazy right?! Who would have thunk it. You may need to supplement a high dose of B12 for a week or so before you go because your digestive system will most likely experience some sort of shock which can lead to a depletion in your stored B12 levels. (methylcobalamin, not cyanocobalamin[cyanide]). Rawk on, future Marine! To all Marines, hoo-yah!


Sincerely,
Chief
rawsoldier.com

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and this information is not intended as any kind of medical advice. Seek "qualified" medical advice before taking any drastic measures with your health. I advice having nutrient tests done to see where your levels are and adjust as needed.

quote:

I have been a vegan for several years for ethical reasons.

I'd keep that little tid-bit quiet. DIs would love to know that. If you have an ethical thing with animals, what does that say about your willingness to kill a human... even though you may never be called upon to do it.