Basic Training??

Trauma Columnist · Mar 12, 2004

I did basic training in 1978 (I know a long time ago) in the Navy. It was 8 weeks and difficult, but not impossible. They gradually increase the amount of PT - its not like you go there and the next day you run 6 miles! Good luck...

nekhismom · Mar 21, 2004

I did basic in 1998. It was hard, but not impossible. The thing is, if you realize that you are going into MILITARY service, and you realize that you are going to lose your freedom for a few weeks, and you act accordingly, you will be fine. You will get into excellent physical shape, and believe me, your body will amaze you day after day as you exceed anything you ever thought was possible. It's doable, so long as you keep things in perspective. If you want to join the military, go for it!!

nursingboots · Apr 5, 2004

Guess what ..yes training is the same for both men and women unless you are going into combat arms...for basic training is now co-ed...and yes you can run 6 miles for you always being conditioned all day long every day....along with the constant form of instructions from drill sergeants all the time...and the standards for the PT test in the sitt ups they are nearly the same..its only for 9 weeks..you can do anything for that amount of time...

nursing boots

17years in and still going strong!

Alright ~ How hard is basic training really?? My boyfriend joined the Army back in 1999 and said it was the hardest thing he's ever done, and he's in excellent shape and was a year out of highschool. I'm in good shape, occasionally I'll run a mile, or rollerblade a few miles, but i know there'd be no way I could ever run six miles, i'd probably die, lol, seriously. Anyway, I guess I just am wondering what women do in basic training. It can't be the same as the men right???
Jamie

nekhismom · Apr 6, 2004

My basic was co-ed, and I really thought it was great. Now some of the PT requirements were different for the tests, but during workouts, there was no difference. We all did the same work out. ANd it was tough, but I have NEVER been in better shape. Also, having co-ed basic kept your morale up, ya know? I mean, really, when a bunch of females are around each other all the time with no men around, you can get crabby. I enjoyed competing with men in our training, and I enjoyed realizing that being female doesn't mean that I can't do things that men can do. I truly appreciated the differences between a man's body and a woman's body. For example, it was great to be smaller than the men on some team missions, because I could fit through smaller spaces, I could move a little more smoothly in tight spots, I had better balance than most of the men. THen on the other hand, the men were stronger (generally) and were excellent at things which required pure strength. I can't really articulate it well, but it was definately a plus. Men are definately stronger in some areas then women, and vice versa. Having both men and women on the training teams only benefitted everybody.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 6, 2004

Thanks for the info........my 18 year old daughter is going to boot camp July 13th, and this thread will help give her an idea of what she's getting into. She's been working hard at getting into shape by joining the track team and taking weight training, and she's gone from being soft and slightly chunky to a buffed-out Catherine Zeta-Jones lookalike. Now, if she can only avoid surgery on the knee she racked up last week while running stairs (she's in an immobilizer and has an appointment with an orthopod tomorrow), she'll be in fine shape for the rigors of basic training.......but I still think she's in for something of a surprise!

Dr. Gonzo · Apr 27, 2004

Army basic training aint that tough its not like Marine bootcamp. Almost anybody could take it unless of course your in horrible shape. If so every branch has a program that will put you in good shape to prepare you for bootcamp.

ayndim · May 28, 2004

Alright ~ How hard is basic training really?? My boyfriend joined the Army back in 1999 and said it was the hardest thing he's ever done, and he's in excellent shape and was a year out of highschool. I'm in good shape, occasionally I'll run a mile, or rollerblade a few miles, but i know there'd be no way I could ever run six miles, i'd probably die, lol, seriously. Anyway, I guess I just am wondering what women do in basic training. It can't be the same as the men right???
Jamie

I was pretty out of shape when I joined in 1997. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. But what a sense of accomplishment. They train you to be able to do what you need to do. And the first time you drop out when running will be the last. Believe me, it is alot easier to run than to do push ups while waiting for your shipmates to come back around. There will also be others there with you doing push ups. It really becomes a mind over matter thing in the end. I was in the Navy and they were doing battlestations in boot camp. Not sure if they still do it. Basically, they wake you up at midnight, have you run with and do various things (such as obstacle course) until about 6 am. I had no problems. And we worked together. Some of the guys in our group carried a girl for the last 10 mins as she couldn't run anymore. And when you can see the chow hall (your final stop) and know you will be able to eat and then go to sleep you find the strength to go on. The training you get will allow you to succeed. If you want to do it, go for it. I am assuming you want enlisted not officer. Officer is alot more cushy, from what I understand.

sherichance · Jun 2, 2004

I did basic training in 2001. I was terrified because I have never been the best runner. The first run we all did, alot of people stopped and walked. Of course we would get yelled at until we started to run again. The second PT run we did I dropped my time by 7 minutes. Usually you exercise 1 day then the next day you stretch and do a run and those goes on throughout the whole experience. I wound up being able to do a 2 miles run in 11 minutes.

The navy started a new thing a little while back called Battle Stations. You have to pass this in order to graduate. Basically you get awoken at 10pm and you have to wear you dungarees and boots and you run your butt off all night until 10am the next morning. But in the while you are doing mock activities, like putting our fires on a boat, water survival, mock attacks with laser guns and so on. But when everyone in my division, we all were so proud, I tell you everyone was crying with joy, even the men and instructors. That night we ran over 5 miles and it did not wind me at all.You work hard to become this.

I was in a intergrated division, men and women. Having the guys there made you work harder. You wanted to show them that you are worthy of being there and that you could do this job and possibly better than them.

If you have any questions about military life just let me know.