Army Basic Training

Atheos · Jan 5, 2009

Well, I haven't been 'recently' but other than a few minor changes I could tell you what I experienced.

I'm not sure where they would send you as a lot of it depends on time of the year and MOS. I personally was at Ft. Leonardwood.

Nothing you have done can prepare you for it.

The physical fitness depends on your level. When I was in we were divided into 3 groups. A, B and C. A was those that could pass the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) A to those that were very out of shape C. Out of our entire company only 3 of us passed the initial PFT. I thought it would give us an edge. It didn't. Those of us in the A group which I imagine you would be were pushed to the max. Long distance sprints (sprinting so far, jogging in a circle to let everyone catch up, then more sprinting), then suicide runs. On top of that is the other PT done all day.

It was split in 3 week segments. 1st segment - If one person messed up/missed a question/did something wrong everyone paid. 2nd segment the squad paid and the last segment you paid. We did pushups continously, front back gos (combo of pushups situps and running in place at high intensity), walking everywhere, whatever else they can do to you.

Ok...

Our first 3 days was inprocessing. Paper work, haircuts, uniform issues etc. Minimal sleep.

Then we did shake down. For us it was 8 hours of pt straight with the purpose of going through all of our gear and making sure we had what we were supposed to and got rid of what we weren't. This was so hard that when they asked us to hold up our styrofoam cups if we wanted water no one could...

First couple of weeks was all PT and classes. Then we started learning basic stuff like squad activities in combat, navigation, first aid, etc. Then it was marksmanship, caring for a rifle. What to do in case of Nuclear Biological or Chemical threasts. You WILL go in the gas chamber. No, it isn't fun. It is kinda funny though.

You will be SOOOOO hungry that even if you drop your food in the dirt you will eat it. At times we had only 3-4 minutes to eat so you will learn the whole 'Eat Now, Taste It Later' thing.

Long road marches. Our PT group did a couple of 15 milers. Depending on the weather of course.

It was frustrating. A lot of yelling and getting in your face goes on. You are force fed a LOT of information that you will be expected to learn.

Ultimately though it is very basic information.

In the end, it was the most fun I had in the Army. If you think you are in shape you'll REALLY be in shape afterwards. You'll learn teamwork, basic rank structure and decorum of the military.

I'll be first to admit that in retrospect, it wasn't really that hard. It's all a mind game.

You'll like it I think.

ETA:

Oh, JustCause may have a point. I have no info about that as I was enlisted and had no degree. :)

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

Joining the reserves as a nurse (or active duty) is a direct accession - commissioning route. This means you enter directly into your basic course as opposed to going to Officer candidate school or some other means. The Officer Basic course you will attend is more of a gentlemen's course (relative to other things).

If you have been told you are going to basic training in order to be nurse there is some confusion.

I've gone through regular basic - and would be happy to fill you in... but if you have your BSN and I assume your entering as a nurse - you will be a commissioned officer and won't attend basic.

There are a couple of good posts here as many who attend or are currently at their officer basic course (OBC) help others out by staying active on the forum postings.

v/r

hoplinger · Jan 5, 2009

Just Cause,

Thank you for your reply. I do not have my degree yet and that is why I would be going through regular basic training instead of OBC. I would love to hear your experience of regular basic.

Thanks

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

Hoplinger - awesome. What MOS are you enlisting in?

The only thing "I'll throw out there" is just be sure you want to enlist now and understand that the obligatory period might be X amount of time past when you graduate which would allow you to commission as a nurse - and just to weight that against the benefits of a lump sum bonus and being an officer...

That being said.... I'd recommend doing lots of body strength training with reps to failure for sit ups, pushups, shoulder (military press), leg extensions, pull ups, chin ups and continue with the running. As previous poster said you'll be broken into ability groups for running... Keep working upper body strength - be a stud during the obstacle course.... I think the biggest thing people in general can do is leave for basic w/o having financial, family, relationship worries that otherwise prevent them from staying focused. If you are doing cross country I'm guessing you know how to eat properly to maintain high energy levels... you have mental discipline.. just keep working upper body... doing sets to failure... become familiar with your PT pushup/situp/run max and aim for that.

Aside from that - it will be a great experience and wish you the best. I can answer any specifics.. but really I would just settle your affairs and show up with an open mind ready to work as a team. Only other advice I would have is really try to help out the younger guys around you and always watch your battle buddies back~

v/r

JDCitizen · Jan 5, 2009

Well, I haven't been 'recently' but other than a few minor changes I could tell you what I experienced.
I'm not sure where they would send you as a lot of it depends on time of the year and MOS. I personally was at Ft. Leonardwood.
Nothing you have done can prepare you for it.
The physical fitness depends on your level. When I was in we were divided into 3 groups. A, B and C. A was those that could pass the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) A to those that were very out of shape C. Out of our entire company only 3 of us passed the initial PFT. I thought it would give us an edge. It didn't. Those of us in the A group which I imagine you would be were pushed to the max. Long distance sprints (sprinting so far, jogging in a circle to let everyone catch up, then more sprinting), then suicide runs. On top of that is the other PT done all day.
It was split in 3 week segments. 1st segment - If one person messed up/missed a question/did something wrong everyone paid. 2nd segment the squad paid and the last segment you paid. We did pushups continously, front back gos (combo of pushups situps and running in place at high intensity), walking everywhere, whatever else they can do to you.
Ok...
Our first 3 days was inprocessing. Paper work, haircuts, uniform issues etc. Minimal sleep.
Then we did shake down. For us it was 8 hours of pt straight with the purpose of going through all of our gear and making sure we had what we were supposed to and got rid of what we weren't. This was so hard that when they asked us to hold up our styrofoam cups if we wanted water no one could...
First couple of weeks was all PT and classes. Then we started learning basic stuff like squad activities in combat, navigation, first aid, etc. Then it was marksmanship, caring for a rifle. What to do in case of Nuclear Biological or Chemical threasts. You WILL go in the gas chamber. No, it isn't fun. It is kinda funny though.
You will be SOOOOO hungry that even if you drop your food in the dirt you will eat it. At times we had only 3-4 minutes to eat so you will learn the whole 'Eat Now, Taste It Later' thing.
Long road marches. Our PT group did a couple of 15 milers. Depending on the weather of course.
It was frustrating. A lot of yelling and getting in your face goes on. You are force fed a LOT of information that you will be expected to learn.
Ultimately though it is very basic information.
In the end, it was the most fun I had in the Army. If you think you are in shape you'll REALLY be in shape afterwards. You'll learn teamwork, basic rank structure and decorum of the military.
I'll be first to admit that in retrospect, it wasn't really that hard. It's all a mind game.
You'll like it I think.
ETA:
Oh, JustCause may have a point. I have no info about that as I was enlisted and had no degree. :)

Wow!!

Atheos · Jan 5, 2009

Nevermind, you said reserves right there...

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

Hoplinger,

Where will your BCT be held at? what month do you start?

Cursed Irishman · Jan 5, 2009

1. Reception is the hardest part of basic training. Days of waiting with very little accomplished; the highlight of these days is chow. No one knows anyone else, so there are alot of personality conflicts. Lock up your belongings religiously. To top it off, there are quite a few people who will believe the army is what they've seen in movies and will act/do stupid things; you'll find out who these guys are within a couple hours of arriving.

2. Arrive at reception able to pass the minimum pt standards (ie able to run a mile in like 8 mins and do about a dozen push-ups/sit-ups). You can't leave reception until you pass the minimum standards; did i mention reception sucks?

3. Once you get to your iet unit do yourself a favor: don't say anything for about the first week or two. Matter of fact, just go with the flow for the entire experience. Every minute of every day has been planned out and is accounted for; don't think you can change or have input into how things run, you will only make life difficult for yourself.

4. Don't be platoon guide. Corollary to this: Don't give the platoon guide problems. Its a horrible job which has no benefits other than to reduce the amount of time you sleep and increase your headaches.

5. Don't fall asleep on firewatch, matter of fact don't fall asleep anytime your supposed to be awake. Get up, walk around, do push ups. Self-smoking is always better than DS smoking.

6. Don't stand out and don't cry. Yes there is yelling, yes there is alot of simulated stress. But nothing is meant to be personal, even though it feels like it is. The DS/Instructors have seen cycles before and said the same scripted lines over and over; they've honed the delivery of these lines to have the most impact. You wont be the first person to forget something, you wont be the first person to lose their rifle, you wont be the first person to fall asleep, you wont be the first person to do anything there; so when you're caught just blank out your eyes, go to your happy place and blithely recite yes/no drill sgt.

7. The weapons used in basic are about twenty years passed retirement. It may take a couple times to qualify; don't sweat it because your home unit's weapons won't be so worn out.

8. Just get through reception. It's the hardest part of the basic training experience; I'd even go so far as calling it the hardest part of being in the army, even compared to being in combat.

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 5, 2009

Just Cause,
Thank you for your reply. I do not have my degree yet and that is why I would be going through regular basic training instead of OBC. I would love to hear your experience of regular basic.
Thanks

Your goal is to be a RN in the reserves, not an enlisted medic. DONT DO IT.

Your recruiter is enlisting you, you should wait till you graduate with you BSN and then join as an officer with a direct commision.

You need to be talking to the Army Medical Command ie Amed recruiter instead of your local recruiter. I am a medic in the Guard and I was a medic on active duty, before I went to college and became all that I could be.

Here is the bottom line:

1. If you decide to enlist 1st, you will have to go through enlisted basic training; your goal is to be an officer so you need to wait till you graduate, take your boards and go through OBC.

2. If you decide not to listen to my advice, you will have to go through the entire physical process again and fill out the same paperwork again.

3. I assume that are trying to sell you on the split option, where you go to basic training one summer and then to AIT the next summer. It will be a lot easier if you go through the direct commision process instead of enlisting. Their is a chance that you will deploy immediately after you graduate from AIT, so their goes your start as a RN in the civilian world, because you will not be able to work as a RN, but as your enlisted MOS

4. Talk to the medical recruiter, they have a commisioned officer that actively recruits people in the medical branches of the Army

5. I am still an enlisted man with a Masters in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a seasoned ICU RN, but that is my choice. I have less than 2 yrs to go till my 20 yrs.

JDCitizen · Jan 5, 2009

Your goal is to be a RN in the reserves, not an enlisted medic. DONT DO IT.
Your recruiter is enlisting you, you should wait till you graduate with you BSN and then join as an officer with a direct commision.
You need to be talking to the Army Medical Command ie Amed recruiter instead of your local recruiter. I am a medic in the Guard and I was a medic on active duty, before I went to college and became all that I could be.
Here is the bottom line:
1. If you decide to enlist 1st, you will have to go through enlisted basic training; your goal is to be an officer so you need to wait till you graduate, take your boards and go through OBC.
2. If you decide not to listen to my advice, you will have to go through the entire physical process again and fill out the same paperwork again.
3. I assume that are trying to sell you on the split option, where you go to basic training one summer and then to AIT the next summer. It will be a lot easier if you go through the direct commision process instead of enlisting. Their is a chance that you will deploy immediately after you graduate from AIT, so their goes your start as a RN in the civilian world, because you will not be able to work as a RN, but as your enlisted MOS
4. Talk to the medical recruiter, they have a commisioned officer that actively recruits people in the medical branches of the Army
5. I am still an enlisted man with a Masters in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a seasoned ICU RN, but that is my choice. I have less than 2 yrs to go till my 20 yrs.

So finally a Family Nurse Practitioner... If needed please start ( I don't mean to hijack) another posting but boy oh boy can you tell me your tale?

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 5, 2009

My Basic Training Story

Basic training started in September 1989, I was just 18 yrs old at the time. The Army was nothing new to me as my father was at the time a Command Sergeant Major. I had lived overseas on military bases most of my life and when I joined I swore in to the army in Korea, where my dad was stationed at.

Basic Training:

Pre: you get your shots, uniforms, the basic stuff

My BCT was 8 weeks long

The first day of the 8 weeks was funny. We lined up in your platoons and everyone, that is all the drills came out and inspected everyone. We had to do this Get up and Get down exercise for about an hour were we would sit down on the ground and then get back up at the position of attention. The drills later introduced themselves to us and then we marched to go eat lunch. They showed us how to stand in line while we were waiting to eat lunch, etc.

We did PT everyday except on Sunday. One of our drills would play rock music when we were doing our exercises. You work yourself out. that is to say, you have to do all the exercises in formation, but you can either get the maximum effectiveness of doing a pushup by stressing your muscles or you can bend at the waist. We had a little bench press and some dumbells in our barracks, but we rarely had the time to use them. We did pushups, incline pushups off another soldiers back, crunches, situps at various angles, pullups, chinup, running both long and short distances, jumping jacks, running in place, little arm circles, various exercises with the rifle. It was good toning. We did various other exercises as well.

We marched everywhere we went, learned to sing cadences in both marching and running formation. The songs we sang were not PC, I went through an all male unit, it was sorta old school. We learned how to march, give basic marching orders, march with a weapon, salute with the weapon, etc.

We learned the basics of the military, we woke up at 4 30 am, lights out was around 9 pm, so we got plenty of sleep. PT started at 5 am. It was alot of fun. Every minute of everyday is on a training schedule,we had to carry our "smart Books" with us and read them when we were waiting for something. The smart book is a how to book about everything in the army,

Now it is called the Warrior Skills book or something. Alot of things that we never learned in basic training, they are teaching to soldiers today like how to respond to an IED, convoy operations, How to use a global positioning System etc.

The basic combat skills were taught to us through out basic training and we spent all day going over those skills. We had some classroom time first, which was so hard to stay awake, they did not allow us to drink anything with caffiene in it such as coffee or soda. We drank plenty of water, this old school notion of rationalizing water in basic training is a myth. Our drills (looking back) took pretty good care of us, we never missed a meal and we allways had plenty of time to fill out two quart canteen with water.

Many times the drills would drop us individually if we spoke the wrong way, did not address them properly or any other infraction.The term is getting dropped, we did pushups, abdominal exercises etc.

We did our field training at white sands proving grounds, one time we got to the space shuttle being piggybacked. The drills were cool enough to just let us watch it as it flew by.

Weapons qualification with the basic m 16 included learned how to take the weapon apart, cleaning it, zeroing it, aiming it and shooting it.

Compared to combat, basic training was very easy and a lot of fun. We learned basic discipline, basic infantry tactics and weapons and map reading. The drills as I later learned had just as much fun and frustration training us as we did learning how to be soldiers.

I joined with the airborne option, I was the only one in my platoon who was going to go to airborne school after AIT. They didnt run me hard enough I thought. But I still passed.