How bad is Army Basic Training. Im jsut curious cause I leave for it Jan. 2 and wonder what all to expect.?

As You Were 85

i went to Fort Jackson South Carolina a.k.a relaxin Jackson and this was my expierence: BCT wasn't easy getting up as early as 0500 hours ( 5:00 ) sometimes 4 in the morning. PT ( physical training ) was always the first thing sit up,push ups,jumping jacks and other stuff then there was running as much as 4 miles early in the morning with a group of soldiers. Breakfast wasn't until 0800 hours by then we were starving then after that we would have to go up to the bay area and change into our BDU's and go back downstairs for formation and get ready for the day's instructions pretty much it was like this
you will not be able to use your cell phone in BCT. If you where to bring it he would end up putting it in storage. You will be leaving the day before your sceduled day to leave you will meet up with your recruiter the recruiter will take you to MEPS and you'll do some paper work and a quicker physical. Don't forget you highschool diploma or GED without it you'll be delayed from leaving like i was.Than when that's all said and done you'll be taken to a Hotel with other recruites and they'll sit in a room some people from the hotel will talk to them then give them a hotel key card to there rooms two people per room.That's where you'll stay over night in the morning they'll eat them begin bording the bus back to MEPs where they'll get there plane tickets and meal tickets ( those can be used at the airport to eat all the junk he/she wants he./she won't see too much of it in BCT ). You Will take a bus to the airport and eat and wait for the plane or planes depending on where he/she is going i went to Fort Jackson South Carolina and i had to take two planes. Once you get to your destination you will arrive at reception not BCT. Reception is about 1-2 weeks long there you'll get uniforms pictures are taken you will get get 6-7 shots dog tags duffle bag running shoes and if you wears glasses two pairs of BCG's ( birth control glasses it keeps the boys from looking at the girls and vias versa rumor ). No contacts are allowed or regular glasses.No cell phones either during inspection they'll take all soldiers to a room and have them empty there bags and the Drill Seargant will see if they have anything they shouldn't have the cell phones they'll give you a yellow envelope and they'll tell you to put the sim card and battery in it and the rest in the duffle bag with civilians and other stuff your not allowed to have. you'll learn in reception how to dress your uniform and how to do your bed hospital corners. . you'll get a smart book and a smart card worth $ 200.00- $ 300.00 dollars for males and 300.00 for females. The DI's will take all soldiers to the PX to buy what they didn't bring such as towels and another duffle bag and other things. Then when reception is over you'll go to BCT and start at week 0 it doesn't count. there are 3 phases in BCT red phase white phase and blue phase. Red Phase: All the basics and introduction left face right face foward march and other face movements you'll also learn how to do them with your weapon military time the soldiers creed the Army sond how to write the date the military way some paper work and you'll be given your ruck sack and three cantins two small ones and one large one and other things you'll do victory tower bayonet obsticle course you'll even get to use Army face paint and go into the woods with your weapon but not loaded and do a small amount of hand to hand combat you'll get your M-16 towards the end of red phase you'll also learn how to clean it and take it apart and the gas chamber ( *shiver* what a memory )yes you will get a gas mask. White Phase: Weapon Qualification with your M-16 hopefuly he gets hawks eye. Blue Phase: Victory Forge and all night thing. He'll go under barbed wire in a very low crawl with bullets be shoot over your head it's crazy. Then you'll graduate if you pass everything including PT tests. You'll have two minutes to do as many push ups as you can same as the sit ups and the two mile run you had to pass within a certain amount of time.There were other tests after every phase i remember at the end of red phase we had a large test out doors and it was a bunch of different booths and the drill seargants have you doing different parts of everything you learned like you had to take apart your weapon efficiently and put it back together efficiently you also had to identify rank ( the military rank structure ) the first aid booth,you had to do face movements with and without your weapon salute with and without your weapon how to address a comanding officer the soldiers creed and the special orders it was crazy and it took all day. Feel free to contact me if you have anymore questions

Also once your ready to leave reception the drill seargant will put a number on you every soldiers duffle bags that number determines what platoon your in during BCT it could be either numbers 1,2,3, or 4

Pretty much bring a couple pairs of civilian clothing socks shoes tooth brush tooth paste a brush a comb shavers shampoo conditioner pack lightly because once you get to reception you won't need much and before you go to BCT your going to go shopping any way for the stuff you didn't bring don't forget to buy stamps envelopes paper pens and pencils to write letters.

Wayne C

Millions of us have lived thru it.......just so we can scare the crap out of kids.

Up at O dark hundred.

PT

SOS

6 miles at double time.

PT

Range fire

PT

6 miles DT back

PT

Clean weapon

Mystery meat......mmmmmmm good cracker

clean boots

write a letter

Shower with 60

Coma

O dark hundred all over

SSG US Army 73-82
Do ya have a pair????

unseennewgod

I loved it myself. Its nothing hard; the hardest thing for my was trying not to punch the retard next to me for saying or doing something stupid. Always keep a positive attitude of some sort, its 9 weeks and not permanent.
One thing I saw, people who always complained about failing or their physical ability were the ones who failed.
No matter what it is, don't "I can't/I'm gonna quit"--EVER.
Remember, the USMC is doing crazier stuff for 13 weeks.

lisab

It has been awhile since I was at basic but a simple rule keep your mouth shut and ears open.
You will be at reception for about a week and it isn't bad at all. Once you get on the bus and cross the line to actual basic all hell breaks loose.
The first week is the worse everyone is confused and the drill instructors do mass punishment. If one of you is late then you all are late. So help your buddy out.
Usually after a few weeks the DI's will not be bugging you so much on the weekends. But don't let your guard down.
Hell if I can do it anyone can. Best of luck to you.

Old Scout

You can do it, chin up. Have some faith in yourself. It isn't easy, it's an adjustment but if you embrace it with enthusiasm, it will go well for you. Just pay attention. Thank you for serving the Republic.

FOA

very hard i hope you are running and doing your push ups!
hard but good my son went last spring
he says it was like boy scout camp on steriods and with weapons!
never say sorry sargent -or they will say "do I look like asorry sargent? thiss private thinks i'm a sorry sargent! 100 push up for every one!
They will try to mess with your head. Do not react.See officer and a gentleman and pay attention!
heads up 3 guys got arrested for stealing in the barracks. watch your stuff.

jeeper_peeper321

Basic training is not hard.

Otherwise, 90% wouldn't make it thru it.

( and most of that 10% who fail, fail for pre existing medical reasons )

The worst part, will be the first week,

But thats only because, EVERYTHING will be different that first week.

After that, you will know what to expect and it becomes routine.

But you do get some good stories, that people who do fail, make up as to why they failed,

Like the waking up 2 mins late story.

Thats a good one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barry auh2o

Can you work as part of a team, can you reach back for that little extra when things get a little tough? Do you have a sense of humor? If you';re told to do something, can you just do it, without backtalk, making excuses, asking " why do I have to ....." If "yes" you'll be fine.
Just remember, there are three ways of doing something, the right way, the wrong way, the Army way.But somewhere, around the 6th week, it'll all make sense.
Good luck, and GIMME TEN!!!!!!!!!!!

woodenturkey

Well I loved it, just SHUT UP, and dont be a dumb/smart *** and you will be ok. People that have a hard time are the ones who make problems for themselves.

ps
Enjoy the Chili Mac lunch on gas chamber day! lol

nena

Basic training was not that bad. just stick with it. thousands of people grad from basic every yr, if they can do it im sure you can do it.

Andrew the marine

umm from what i know its nothing like the marine corps training... army training is cake you should be fine

commonsense

You are wondering about it NOW? You enlist and then you start asking questions?

TingTings

you know, my brother used to be in it. he was really strong and toughly built we all thought he was going to last ya know? about 2 weeks into it he got kicked out. do you know why? becouse he woke up 2 minutes late. thats right, so he got sent home and that was the end of that. he said they were VERY strict and he cried like every day. hes now searching for a restaurant and said that this was the worst thing he could have thought of doing.

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