Can a vegetarian make it through Navy Boot camp?

Question

I have been a vegetarian for 6 years and would like to enlist in the Navy but because I haven't eaten meat in so long my body is no longer able to digest it properly. What are the odds of making it through boot camp with out eating any meat?

Answer 1

Your system will probably fail during physical activities. You have other problems than digestion since this is a natural process done in the body and does not change due to diet. probably more mental than physical.

Answer 2

This is almost impossible to achieve while in boot camp. Imagine being in a line chest to back with a "Hurry up and eat" regimen going on at the galley and thats for 3 meals a day. They will also not accomodate you whatsoever. If you squak about it , then you will get labeled as a problem by the CC's at Great Lakes. Once you are out of Boot Camp it will be much easier to go back to being a vegetarian but I wouldn't even count on it at boot.  

Answer 3

That is good and funny as your body will demand protein. It knows what it needs. That bacon will smell mighty good after a few hours of PT. You body cares not about your ideals.

Military mess halls use some sort of animal product in everything. Something will be cooked on some flat top grill prior to grilling the veggies.

I would pay money to see a recruit ask at a mess hall for vegetarian or ask for the same when they are handing out food, rations in the field or shipboard. It would be funny.

Sure I try to eat much more veggies and fruit than meat. But if you want to be a strict vegetarian...... come up with another plan than the military. Go eat some meat and odds are nothing will happen as 9 times out of ten it is all in someones mind.

Answer 4

You'll do fine. Just make sure that when you go to Basic they know you're a vegetarian and they will have a specialized diet for you. It's not eating meat that helps you through it it's the nutrients and protein and what not.

Answer 5

slim to none.

Answer 6

I know this is bad but, if you want to enlist you must try to eat small portions of meat first, the once you get used to that , eat a larger portion. Keep that cycle until your body can digest meat properly. Then enlist.

:)

Hope i helped!!

Answer 7

You can too make it, just eat the vegetables that have protein, and eat everything else you can that you think will help. Go to http://www.mynavyonline.com for help.

Answer 8

I was a vegetarian when I went in the Navy. I was strong and fit BEFORE I went in. I was running about 2 miles a day and working out.

I was a mother of a 6 year old with a civilian husband. I was 31.

I had to GAIN 10 lbs to qualify.

When I went in, I ate what I wanted, and pretty soon, I was eating meat and cake and all sorts of junk, but working hard so I gained pounds was actually smaller. When I graduated boot camp, I was wearing size 5 pants, and weighed 118.

It is very difficult to maintain a vegetarian regime, but it is doable. There are vegetables at every meal, and rice, beans, milk,  etc.  They start the food line with pie and cake and cookies. If you have been doing it a long time, you can figure it out.

I was fairly new to vegeatrianism at the time, so

I chose not to, because I found food was the only PLEASURE I had. ONCE OUT OF BOOT CAMP- i RETURNED TO A VEGETARIAN diet.

Now, I eat a moderate amount of meat and fish.

What I found most unpalatable was the attitude of lots of people against liberals, g**s, people of color and "uncooperative" (read- S****y  women.  It is systemic, but hopefully more enlightened since 1999 when I retired. I enjoyed the Navy, despite its "John Wayne" politcs.

Some of the posters here have no clue that vegeatrian is actually safer and builds better bodies than a meat-centered diet. You will be a "freak" but who cares?

Never forget for one second that you are in the killing  businees, at the DISPOSAL of the Navy and not YOURS anymore.

They will not allow you little protein shakes or protein bars, etc.  The NAVY WILL NOT MAKE  dietary accommodations for you-anymore than for Jews or Buddhists.Your bunk is tiny and your locker is tiny and inspected daily.

If the Navy wants you to have a personal life or preferences, they will issue them to you.

This is not a job for any weenie- male or female.

Answer 9

Many people suggest talking to the recruiter. Don't. They lie and tell you what you want to hear. Your best bet is to listen to the person that did it and follow her advice. I was a meat eater when I went into the Navy, so all I can do is tell you that the recruiters lie to get you to sign on. You will not get special meals, what they serve is what you have to choose from. Good luck.

Answer 10

There are many different ways you can get protien without eating meat... Drink a good Whey Protien Shake some of them have up to 60 grams of protien per serving... The Whey is not fully vegetarian becuase it does have some dairy in it, but the soy protien is not a complete protien and is difficult to build muscle soley of of soy... Although Soy is health and should not be cut out of your diet.  I am  not sure how the Navy can accomadate you diet needs, but i would make sure to investigate that before signing on the dotted line....

But don't give up... You can do it if you want it bad enough... Just condition and train before hand that way it is not a complete shock to your body!!

Good Luck!

Answer 11

You're no use to the Navy.  The Navy requires that you do heavy lifting.  You need meat to stay strong.  Protein from vegetable sources are not going to cut it.

Answer 12

I'd start getting into the habbit of eating meat again, if I were you.  Enlisting in the US Navy is going to require a lot of physical labor, and if you go to Iraq, you are going to need to take care of yourself, and cute little protien shakes etc are not always going to be available or easy to make. (yes, the Navy is in Iraq, my longtime surface warfare boyfriend just returned from a year of gaurd duty at a detainment facility- what a crock).  

I also wouldn't reccomend making yourself a target for mockery.  You're already going to be a chick in a man's world, which you can TOTALLY rock... but don't go in there being what most will consider a "pansey".  

Learn to eat meat so you can stay healthy, if for no other reason at all.

Thank you in advance if you decide to serve.

Answer 13

I truely doubt being able to complete that task but if you are really wanting to talk to the recruiter he will give you the best answer period.  Navy Boot camp is not too demanding, but their is a lot of heavy lifting and they expect everyone to carry their own weight.

Answer 14

Vegetarian during basic training and even tech school (at least at first) can be tough because there are limited food options in the chow hall and you won''t have much chance to go out and get things to prepare to supplement them.  You would most likely end up eating a lot of starches (pasta and breads), potatoes, rice and veggies..not the best basis for a vegetarian facing heavy physical challanges.  My advice would be to talk to a nutritionist..they can give you ways to get your body ready before hand, ways to deal with the limited food options during basic and things you can do to supplement your diet once you are on active duty and eating from the chow hall or, if deployed, from an even more limited range of options.  I would also suggest trying to eat some fish or poultry...start with small amounts..as a way to get used to at least some of the protiens you may have available.  

Answer 15

this really depends on how veg you are  I believe you could make it as a lacto ovo the military has Vegetarian MRE meals so I am sure you are not the first to make it through basic. my favorite is the cheese tortilini one

many people do not realize that being a healthy vegetarian requires alot of healthy foods and it is a proven fact that vegetarians tend to live  longer life than meat eaters

in the chow hall you are given multible choices of foods it is kind of like a lunch room but with more food choices availble you will run into some challenges in basic dealing with food I am sure of but just eat around it and try not to draw attention o yourself

Answer 16

I would talk to your recruiter. If the Navy is serious about wanting you. (and all armed forces want you to join) they will make sure you get the nutrition and care you need. You can't be the first vegetarian to ever join the Navy. I'm sure you can make known your needs and they will oblige.