Basic Training, how difficult is it physically?

[episodic]

went through 1992 in Fort Benning Georgia - was not fun. was not easy. . .

 

[Spg]

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/l/blfitmale.htm

 

[Bateluer]

Something to consider, if it hasn't already been mentioned. You will get sick in basic, regardless of the branch. The large influx of people from all geographic areas, from various social orders, etc, carries all kinds of new bacteria, viruses, and others that you likely haven't been exposed to. For the USAF basic training, you could expect to get sick at least twice, possibly three times before you were finished. I had to do my fitness evaluation with full blown pneumonia. I still passed, but only be a hair because I was coughing up bloody phlegm. Keep this in mind, you may be able to pass the fitness tests if you're healthy, but in all likelihood, you will have a cold or flu-like illness during your test.

 

[rh71]

I would also need to work on my cardio and need something like that to really motivate me. But I have flat feet... I found this thread... sometimes with a normal step I feel a slight pull at the bottom of my feet like I'm about to tear something that runs front to back of the foot. Running isn't exactly a favorite of mine either.

I am also bowl-legged... it makes me a better skater though. Looking at my twins... one is bowl-legged with arched heels and the other is normal legs with flat feet.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Something to consider, if it hasn't already been mentioned. You will get sick in basic, regardless of the branch. The large influx of people from all geographic areas, from various social orders, etc, carries all kinds of new bacteria, viruses, and others that you likely haven't been exposed to. For the USAF basic training, you could expect to get sick at least twice, possibly three times before you were finished. I had to do my fitness evaluation with full blown pneumonia. I still passed, but only be a hair because I was coughing up bloody phlegm. Keep this in mind, you may be able to pass the fitness tests if you're healthy, but in all likelihood, you will have a cold or flu-like illness during your test.

"Recruit Crud"

I had to pass swim qual with a full blown strep infection, man I felt like crap.
I refused to go to medical because I was afraid of getting recycled. Probably about 5 other guys in my platoon dropped out within the next few days they were so sick.

 

[datalink7]

Originally posted by: destrekor
That's kind of what I've heard before, but mostly that the current BCT, and Army in general, as well as the changes they are looking at making in the near future, are all geared toward making "smarter" soldiers who can deal with a terribly different situation on the ground, and make decisive and quick decisions without needing orders from above.

I don't know about the old way, as I've only been in the Army 4 years. But that is true about the current mindset.

As a Platoon leader, I didn't just allow my gunners to open up when they thought there was a threat when I was deployed, I expected them to correctly identify the enemy and engage them. If they couldn't do that they were fired.

This also meant I didn't just put the best gunners in the turret. A gunner also had to be one of the most intelligent Soldiers in the platoon.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: ballmode
I'm about to go to Air Force Basic, I'll post a thread commenting about it when I can

Please do, I am interested to know how good their margaritas are.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: keird
I've been in the Army as a medic for 21 years. The level of fitness that you have in your OP is fine, but if you get assigned to the infantry there's more.

Complete a forced road march with combat equipment and rucksack 12 miles in 3 hours. You'll do this in basic with a 45 lbs. rucksack. The load doesn't scale to your size. Expect medical equipment to weigh 44 lbs. alone. Then add the load of an ordinary rifleman. I've had rucksacks that weighed more than 100 lbs. before, but I don't think I could have marched effectively. 80 lbs. of rucksack I've done, though. Whether you become a corpsman or a medic, you'll be humping.
.

Jeez for me that'd be carrying kinda close to my body weight = cripple for life

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Something to consider, if it hasn't already been mentioned. You will get sick in basic, regardless of the branch. The large influx of people from all geographic areas, from various social orders, etc, carries all kinds of new bacteria, viruses, and others that you likely haven't been exposed to. For the USAF basic training, you could expect to get sick at least twice, possibly three times before you were finished. I had to do my fitness evaluation with full blown pneumonia. I still passed, but only be a hair because I was coughing up bloody phlegm. Keep this in mind, you may be able to pass the fitness tests if you're healthy, but in all likelihood, you will have a cold or flu-like illness during your test.

"Recruit Crud"

I had to pass swim qual with a full blown strep infection, man I felt like crap.
I refused to go to medical because I was afraid of getting recycled. Probably about 5 other guys in my platoon dropped out within the next few days they were so sick.

Does "recycled" mean what I think it means? If I get pneumonia, just ignore it?

 

[BoomerD]

When my son went through MCRD San Diego in 95, I was shocked at how much...easier it seeme than when I went through in 1970. A couple of chats with different drill instructors when we were there confirmed it. Still, USMC Boot Camp is no walk in the park. The goal is to break you down...then build a Marine. Once you finish Boot Camp...the fun stuff begins...and the "purity" of the Corps is gone.

 

[fatpat268]

Originally posted by: coloumb
Air Force Boot Camp - it was mainly a mind game with about 30 minutes of "aerobics" in the morning every day. I've heard army/marine boot camps are more physical [for obvious reasons].

However - eventually as someone else stated - you had to run a mile in a certain amount of time or be put on a weight management program. Unless you were completely out of shape - you could easily run the mile within the time limit.

Well, IIRC, USAF Basic Training has changed somewhat in the past year or two to make closer to the US Army BT

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Thanks for all the answers. The Military looks exactly like what I would be looking for.

I've done this college/frat thing about as long as I can and its just torture. I can't do that anymore. I'm 20, I gave it a chance and college is not what I'm looking for and it's time to move on.

I do have a couple of follow up questions though,

1. How do I avoid Medcom? I'm interested in being a ground-pounder. Airborne and Ranger training would be the icing on the cake. Is there a way to make sure or at least up my chances of getting assigned into a field unit?

2. What is life like during? I mean if I'm not deployed, how does military living go like? Is it like living in a college dormitory? Is there even less space and privacy than that? Can I actually make a living space in there and have possessions?

3. After you guys left, how did it go? Did you find a EMT job or go in a completely different direction?

4. What is AIT training like? I haven't had formal medical training besides some CPR classes (I'm more mechanical than bio, got more NATEF/ASE certs than anyone else in high school, but never taken a medical course). Is it hands on? Is it book?

I guess none of these are going to change my mind but at the very least it can assuage my fears.

1) Your recuriter will lie - unless its in writing its a lie!

2) Basic and AIT school is not like permanant duty station. Once you are done with training your day to day life is pretty ordinary. You usually live in barracks, 2 men to a room. Its like a dorm but you do have your own bathroom to share with your roommate. a shared room varies but consists of 2 8x10 rooms that contain a twin bed, dresser, nightstand, and entertainment unit. These alo contain a small walk-in closet for each of you. Entertainment unit holds a shared mini-fridge on the bottom and a a 25" TV on the top or microwave. A/C, heat, cable is all provided. Laundry is on the downstairs. Parking lots are across, you will want your own car.

Privacy is minimal, hope to hell you get a good roommate who is cool, showers, and is pleasant to be around. If not, do your best to swap roomies.

Day to day life consits of:
PT at 5:30am or 6am M-F it lasts 1hr. You have to drive to PT. Once back to your room, shower, dress and go eat at the chow-hall. Then drive to work. Work is 8:30am to 5:30pm with a 1hr lunch break - drive back to the barracks and eat at the chow-hall.

Once work is done for the day - do whatever you want.

Once word of advice: DO NOT BE LATE. Army does not tolerate being 1-second late and consequences are them taking your $, if you are late more than 3X in a year.


If you are assigned to a actual medical unit to where you are working at a clinic or hospital through out the above "workl day" scenario as it will be completely different as you may find yourself working odd hours.

If you are assigned to a infantry type unit then the above routine will be quite similar. Also, you will go to the field (camping) for operations and stay for about 4-6 days ata time as you do maneuvers.

Thinks to invest in once you complete basic & AIT if assgined to a infantry type unit to where you will be in the field often:

Gore-Tex Jacket - $175 and worth every penny
Gore-Tex pants if you are in the field a lot where it is rainy & cold
Gore-Tex/Thinsulate lined boots - keeps your feet warm & dry $150

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I went through Army basic in 1966. I was lean and fit and it was a bitch. Fatties didn't have a chance and got recycled through fat camp until they slimmed down and beefed up. The Army was an entirely different organization back then, though.

Also, back then the DI's could touch you.

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Something to consider, if it hasn't already been mentioned. You will get sick in basic, regardless of the branch. The large influx of people from all geographic areas, from various social orders, etc, carries all kinds of new bacteria, viruses, and others that you likely haven't been exposed to. For the USAF basic training, you could expect to get sick at least twice, possibly three times before you were finished. I had to do my fitness evaluation with full blown pneumonia. I still passed, but only be a hair because I was coughing up bloody phlegm. Keep this in mind, you may be able to pass the fitness tests if you're healthy, but in all likelihood, you will have a cold or flu-like illness during your test.

"Recruit Crud"

I had to pass swim qual with a full blown strep infection, man I felt like crap.
I refused to go to medical because I was afraid of getting recycled. Probably about 5 other guys in my platoon dropped out within the next few days they were so sick.

Getting recycled is the suckage.

As a dissenting voice, I've never seen a cluster of folks get sick in basic training.

Nonetheless, it's always good to wash your hands regularly since hygiene in the male bathrooms ain't that great.

 

[Linflas]

I went through Navy RTC in Orlando during June, July, and August. It was physically demanding but nothing a healthy 18 year old should have any issue dealing with. "Full Metal Jacket" was about as accurate a depiction of it as I have seen although the Navy had much more drill and marching and less obstacle course type stuff and very little rifle range work. If you have problems learning such complicated things as folding clothes the way they want you to, stowing them the way they want you to, making a bed the way they want you to, and generally doing any kind of BS they tell you to do without questioning the reason why then the military is probably not for you. For me it was exactly what I needed to grow me up.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Something to consider, if it hasn't already been mentioned. You will get sick in basic, regardless of the branch. The large influx of people from all geographic areas, from various social orders, etc, carries all kinds of new bacteria, viruses, and others that you likely haven't been exposed to. For the USAF basic training, you could expect to get sick at least twice, possibly three times before you were finished.

No such experience when I went through basic... I can't really recall anyone getting sick, actually.

Originally posted by: adairusmc

Originally posted by: ballmode
I'm about to go to Air Force Basic, I'll post a thread commenting about it when I can

Please do, I am interested to know how good their margaritas are.

"It used ta be I couldn't even spell marine--now I are one!"

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Something to consider, if it hasn't already been mentioned. You will get sick in basic, regardless of the branch. The large influx of people from all geographic areas, from various social orders, etc, carries all kinds of new bacteria, viruses, and others that you likely haven't been exposed to. For the USAF basic training, you could expect to get sick at least twice, possibly three times before you were finished.

No such experience when I went through basic... I can't really recall anyone getting sick, actually.

Originally posted by: adairusmc

Originally posted by: ballmode
I'm about to go to Air Force Basic, I'll post a thread commenting about it when I can

Please do, I am interested to know how good their margaritas are.

"It used ta be I couldn't even spell marine--now I are one!"

The only thing I recall was people being a bit off after a couple of the shots they gave us for who knows what exotic diseases. I remember going through that line and them giving us shots in the left and right arms at the same time.

 

[DontMindMe]

8 weeks @ Fort Knox back in August of 1994. Double sessions for football in HS were harder. If anything, the mental aspect was a bit harder for some as it was their first time away from home.

Physically...you will reach Army standards rather quickly with the right attitude.

The best part of BT was meeting some cool people from around the country...still talk to a handful of them today.

 

[DontMindMe]

Originally posted by: Linflas


The only thing I recall was people being a bit off after a couple of the shots they gave us for who knows what exotic diseases. I remember going through that line and them giving us shots in the left and right arms at the same time.

LOL

"Get in line private! Dick to butt..LINE UP!!! MOVE"

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
If I'm not mistaken, I believe you have to eventually walk 2 miles in an 18 minute timeframe. I have never been told basic was tough.

Fixed for truth of what a 9 minute mile is.

 

[KK]

I was in better shape going in than I was when I got out. Air Force FTW.

 

[JDawg1536]

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
If I'm not mistaken, I believe you have to eventually walk 2 miles in an 18 minute timeframe. I have never been told basic was tough.

Fixed for truth of what a 9 minute mile is.

You can walk at a 7mph pace?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
We had a couple real fatties in our company, but they made it fine. I wouldn't say they had fun, though.

Edit: YES! Warp speed, baby!

isn't it a corp not company?

 

[PrinceofWands]

Navy wasn't hard at all. In fact, I left in far worse shape than I went in. We had people who went in on the very cutoff line for obesity and even they made it fine. I'd imagine Army and Marines are considerably more challenging in that regard.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

isn't it a corps not company?

Corps are made up of regiments, which are made up of battalions, which are made up of companies... (which are made up of platoons, squads, fireteams, then a single dude)

EDIT: in Artillery battalions, companies are instead called "batteries" and IIRC, the platoons are each a "gun", or perhaps a gun = squad, I dont know, I wasnt a cannon cocker.

Corps can br grouped into Brigades or Armies.. though I might be missing a step in there.

At least thats how ground forces are organized. Air and Sea can get totally whack.