All you need to know about Army basic training

-Appearance

If you are a male then you are going to want to shave your head completely and shave your face. At Basic Training you are going to have to do this anyways so why not get used to it before hand. Females, you have a little more choice you do not have to shave your head but you are going to either want it short so that you don’t have to do anything about it or you are going to want it long enough to put it into a bun. But it is your choice so technically you can have your hair any length you want. The other thing that females have to worry about is the color of your hair. If you have any unnatural colors in you hair you are going to want to get rid of it, this means pinks, blues, purples, and non exotic colors including highlights. Your hair can be your natural color only.

-Physical Training

With your body you are going to want to get in shape. Ask your recruiter for a PT (physical training) chart to tell you how many push-ups, and sit-ups you are going to have to be able to do in 2 minutes along with how fast you are going to have to run your two mile. If you are having troubles in any of these categories you are going to want to ask your recruiter on the best ways to improve these. For me I sucked at everything so here are a few exercises I learned to help me with certain things. For my push-ups I started out at 8 when I went to basic training, as of the end of last years PT test I could do 50.

To get better at those you are just going to have to do a lot of push-ups. If you can’t do any at all you are going to want to start with inverted push-ups put your hands on a table or a desk and do push-ups. You are going to want to do these at least every hour or as much as you get a chance. Even when you get up to the passing amount you are going to want to be able to do more than that. So when you get more advanced find someone who is willing to work out with you. You start out on the floor and do 1 push-up then switch he does 1 push-up. Then your get back down and do 2, then he does 2. Do that until you get to 10 then work your way back down. When you think about it like that it does not seem like a lot but when you add it up you are doing 100 push-ups.

For sit-ups you are going to want to do what is called flutter kicks. To use your muscles even more you are going to want to wear heavy boots while doing this if you want to. So what you do is lay on your back, puts your hands under your butt, then lift your feet 6 inches off of the ground then start to flutter your feet up and down. Then to make it a little harder just hold your feet 6 inches off the ground then bring them all the way up and keep doing that but holding them at 6 inches for a little while.

For you run you are going to want some endurance so running around a track and having someone with a timer that has you run for a minute full speed then jog for a minute and do that till you cant walk anymore. I would do that once a week then for the rest of the week I would run 2 ½ miles every other day so that when you run your two mile your body is still expecting another ½ mile.  If you have any other questions or concerns about your PT speak to your recruiter or the RSP Cadre.

-Knowledge

These are a few things that I would learn before you go to basic training because you are going to need to know them anyways. I would learn the ranking system because if you call a Specialist a Sergeant someone may take an offense to that and you may be pushing. The other thing that the Drill Sergeants liked to do when I was there was to quiz you in the lunch line. If you were the first in line they would give you a question what rank is…. Then you would have to answer it. If you answered incorrectly then you went to the end of the line. So know your ranking system, you can find that on google or get a chart from your recruiter (they may or may not have one). I would also know the Soldiers Creed. You can also find that online I will also put some of these charts or refrences at the end.  The last thing that I would learn would be the First Chorus and the Refrain of the Army Song. You are also going to want to learn the General Orders. After you know those then you can ask your recruiter for anything else that you may need.

-Packing

Here is my advice for you for packing before you leave. Don’t pack a lot. I would pack a few pair of underwear, a few pairs of socks, and 2 sets of civilian clothing. You are going to get to Reception very late and they do not care that you are going to have to wake up early in the morning. I would suggest a small bag with small shampoo (conditioner), and a small body wash. Do not bring a lot because a Drill Sergeant is going to go through every piece of everything in your bag. You are going to have a chance to buy everything when you get there. I will put a packing list at the end of this.

-Once you get there

Once you get there you are going to get your bags then separate into male and female lines. Then you will go inside and fill out some paper work. Once you are done with the paper work then you will go into the next room and empty out your bag. The Drill Sergeants will check every pocket of everything so I would give up any tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or anything that can be thought of as a weapon. That includes small scissors, knives, guns, and handcuffs. If they find it then it will be much worse than you just throwing it away in the begginning.

Then you are going to walk up with everyone to your new home for the next week. Once you get there you are going to receive a pillow blankets and sheets so you can make your bed. Do not argue with the fireguards on where you are going to sleep just go to the bed change into pajamas quick and then go to bed as fast as possible. In the morning you will be woken up. Get dressed quickly (in the bathroom only) and make your bed. A Drill Sergeant will come in to get you for breakfast. Eat a lot and you may want to learn how to mix things together. The thing that I always ate was sausage gravy and buiscuts, eggs, and bacon. I would mix all of those together and eat it. When you are done with that you will probably go through a station that will get you clothing. You will go through so many stations including, Medical (shots and blood draw), clothing issue, ID cards, and many more. Once you are done with all of those stations (most likely on the last day) then you are going to learn what unit you are going to be joining, you will probably eat lunch, then your new Drill Sergeants will come pick you up with either busses, cattle trailors, or whatever they choose. The rest of it is your own experience and you are going to have to make it the best one that you can.

-Family and Friends

                The thing that made my experience at basic training so much easier was that my family and friends were there for me and supported me. I wrote letters every night to them and they wrote to me every day too. The only thing would be that I would tell them not to send me anything other than letters and PG-13 pictures. I would not try to get away with contriband because 98% of the time you will not get away with it. Once you get closer to the end you are going to learn different ways to get away with getting it but if you try to then you may get an article 15, and you don’t want that right before you are about to go home or even move on to AIT. Every day is hard and it will only get harder you want to have the most fun that you can with all of this and just remember that when the day is done you have done more than most Americans can even think of doing.

-The Sodliers Creed

I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the
United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

-The Army Song

First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation’s might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle’s won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along.

Then it’s Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army’s on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong
For where e’er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

-General Orders

1st General Order

I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.

2nd General Order

I will obey my special orders and perfom all my duties in a military manner.

3rd General Order

I will report violations of my special orders, emergencies, and anything not covered in my instructions, to the commander of the relief.

-The Ranking System

Warrant Officers

Enlisted Soldiers

-Packing List

Below is a list of items that you should take with you to Basic Training. Many have asked why they are taking some of these items. In short, all of the civilian items are taken for your time before the initial issue is given. At that point, 99% of the civilian items are taken and locked.

3-day supply of season-appropriate, comfortable clothing (no halter tops or ragged shorts) (This is needed as you may spend a good week in reception before getting clothing issued) 3 sets of white underwear 1 pair of comfortable shoes (running shoes will be purchased shortly after arrival or buy them first and wear them). 1 small suitcase/gym bag (Only bring the bag that held listed items and clothing worn to BCT) 2 locks (combination or padlock; additional locks with keys will be purchased at the Post Exchange {PX} after arrival) 6 pair of white, calf-length, athletic socks (additional socks will be purchased at the PX) Disposable/safety razor with blades (Shave before you get there, then buy these. You can not carry them on the plane) Shaving cream (optional for women) 2 washcloths (additional washcloths will be purchased at the PX) 2 towels (additional towels will be purchased at the PX) Toothpaste and Toothbrush with case Dental Floss Hairbrush or 6" comb (no point unless you want to scratch your back!) or you are female) Antiperspirant Flip-flops Personal Hygiene Items Shampoo Soap and Soap case Required Original Documentation Social Security Card Drivers License SF 1199A (Direct Deposit Form) signed by bank official (Bring two if you pay child support) Current marriage license (if applicable) Divorce Decree(s) (if applicable) Child(ren)'s birth certificate(s) Proof of citizenship (if not born in the USA) Documentation for any ROTC experience College transcript(s) Copy of lease for off-post quarters if married If married to another service member you must provide the name, SSN, and military address of spouse If enlisted with the loan repayment program, bring all promissory notes.

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-Pt Standards

Here is the website that you can look at with everything you may need to know on it http://www.armybasic.org/portal/index.php

-Soldiers Handbook

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/pdf/armyietguide.pdf

This is one of the books that you will get when you go to basic training so you may want to look through it before you leave.