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With the exception of lunch and evening chow, the rest of the day is spent in the barracks. First, you pack up all of your civilian items, including your money, wallets, drivers license, clothing, anything, to be stored until you graduate or wash out.

After that, the rest of the day is spent learning the basics of everyday boot camp life. The Drill Instructors all take turns teaching and demonstrating how they expect you to live for the next several weeks.

You learn to make your bed properly. You learn exactly how to put your uniform items and toiletries away. You learn how to shine your boots. Everyone is shown where the cleaning supplies are. You learn that the barracks is expected to be spotless each morning before you fall out.

Additionally, Staff Sergeant Fear appoints an "administrative assistant." Among other things, the Administrative Assistant keeps track of the extra details, such as the fireguard schedule. The honor goes to Recruit Stuckup, who -- it appears, hasn't goofed up hardly at all during the past day and a half. Recruit Stuckup keeps looking at you like you're the lowest kind of bug. You're not sure you're going to like this.

Everyone has been issued a "recruit bible." This is a thick book that you've been told to start memorizing immediately. It supposedly contains all the knowledge a recruit is expected to know.

Finally, the day begins to wind down. Only one more task. Everyone's been told to write a letter home.

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Above Photo Courtesy of United States Navy