Few tips for you.
-Don't feel bad for the Army recruiter. Don't feel bad for the Marine recruiter. You're a pawn to them. They may be cool, some are honest, but they still have quotas
-The day you and your recruiter agree on for you to leave for bootcamp is up to you. I agreed to Aug 26. The liason at MEPS tried to make me go for Aug 20. Difference? A different company. I wanted to be 3rd Bn, leaving sooner would've made me 2nd.
-Don't be persuaded into something you don't have interest in for a bonus. The money ain't worth being unhappy.
-A gaurenteed MOS field is not a gaurenteed MOS specialty. eg. I signed for 13xx thinking I would be a 1371; however, I was ordered to be a 1391.
-In bootcamp. Shut your mouth and don't try to stand out. There is always that one fuck who thinks he's God's gift to the military, and tries to lead shit. Regardless of how good a leader he may or may not be the DI's pick their honor grads by who has family with prior service. One guy in my platoon was a rock. His uncle served as a sniper in Vietnam with our company 1st Sgt. He got promoted.
-The people to get in your pocket are the scribe and guide. They pretty much control fire watch roster. Control them, and control your sleep. When they ask who can write neat, or has taken college classes don't raise your hand. That's how they pick a scribe. He has a lot of shit to do. Takes down who is going to what church, sick call, light duty, fire watch. Control him...don't be him.
Feel free to Pm me with any questions.