General Orders (Learn Them Now!!!)Basic Training Tips
Soldiers Creed
The Code of Conduct
Creed Of The Non Commissioned Officer
Basic Training is definitely one of a kind. It is hard, both mentally and physically, but let me tell you that I have never learned more about myself than when I was at Fort Jackson, SC. for Basic Training. Basic Training is a rigorous eight-week orientation for men and women entering the Army. Basic training transforms new enlistees from civilians into soldiers. During your training, new soldiers gain the discipline, spirit, pride, knowledge, and physical conditioning necessary to perform Army duties. Army basic training is given in several locations throughout the country, including training centers in South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Missouri. You do push-ups, flutter kicks (kind of like six inches) and run everywhere you go. We average 900 to 1000 push-ups a day, but do not worry, they will build you up to that. As long as you can do 20, you are fine.
Let me start this by saying that this is probably one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life, both mentally and physically. You will not get much sleep, you will constantly be pushed to your limits, yelled at, etc. There are reasons for this. As I said before, it will mold you into a team player. One of the things that I see today in the advertisements is "An Army Of One". To me this goes against everything the military teaches although if you put it in the perspective of you and your fellow soldiers become one, then it is a good theme. The army is made up of team players. You MUST be willing to be a team player to be successful in the military.
I have gotten many emails concerning this page, and I would like to thank those of you who have sent them. One of the main questions that I have is "Will this pay for my college?" Yes, it will, or at least a major part of it. Please read this next statement very carefully. This will pay for college, but keep in mind that you are signing a contract with the government saying that you will serve for an 8 year time frame. No matter how many years you sign up for, you will have extra years in the inactive reserves (IRR = Individual Ready Reserves). This is not something to be taken lightly. You are REQUIRED to serve those years, and college is great, but if you are needed, you will have to leave college to serve. A great example is the September 11th tragedy. College students in the reserves and National Guard are being called up to serve as active duty members in air ports etc. Really think about this decision before making it.
Army basic training stresses teamwork. Soldiers are trained in groups known as squads or platoons. These groups range from nine to approximately 80 soldiers; they are small enough that each soldier can be recognized for his or her special abilities. Such groups tend to become closely knit teams and develop group pride and camaraderie during the eight weeks of rigorous training they experience together.
Here are some questions that you might have about Basic Training. If there is anything that I did not cover, please email me and I will answer your question as best as possible. To fill you in, I have been in the Army for 16 ½ years as of 12 July 2003. All of the information that I have on this page is information that I have gotten with experience, and not from a manual. Once again, feel free to email me with specific questions.
First of all, every military base is different, so some of these rules may not apply, but for the most part, they are standard.
What is the reason for Basic Training?
The entire point of Basic is to take 200 individuals and mold them into one team. They will teach you to think as a team, use individual talents to accomplish a team mission. You have to think not of yourself, but as the entire platoon. While in Basic Training, you will be under tremendous stress, mentally, physically and spiritually. The physical stress is obvious. You will constantly be on the move and doing things that you never dreamed possible. Mentally you will be bombarded with new information that you must learn. To get a head start on these things, refer to the pages above and start learning them. You will have to learn how to shoot several different weapons (not called guns), how to break them down to clean them and how to perform procedures for misfires. By the time you get out of Basic, these items will be more of a reflex and you can do it in your sleep. Spiritually is another issue. If you are a Christian, you will be allowed to go to Church in the mornings, but the evening service is one that nobody knows about. They are usually very small and some of the best services that I have ever been in. That is the time to get your spiritual fill. You can carry a small bible with you. I still have the one that I had in Basic Training. It was the only reading material that I had with the exception of mail and Army material. (See Below for mail hints).
What should you expect from the first days after leaving MEPS?
Once you leave for MEPS, it will be a full day. First you will check in with the MEPS Station. You will then go through some last minute paperwork. Once you finish that, you will sit around and wait to leave. Most military flights leave at night, (The Red Eye). You will fly to the nearest airport where a representative from the base will meet you. When you get on the plane, you will probably be seated at the back of the plane. Be looking for other guys that look lost and have no luggage, those are probably the guys that are going to Basic with you. I met one of my closest friends on the plane. After you get to the airport, they will take you to a base. They will tell you things that you are not allowed to bring, like knives of any kind (to include pocket knives, any alcohol or tobacco products, mouth wash, non perscription medication (perscription Medication must be accompanies with a Doctors note as to why you need it) and other items. Good rule, don't bring anything but a book and one change of clothing. They will tell you that this is your last chance to get rid of this material and if you have it, get rid of it.
For the most part, this day will not be bad. you will be at a reception station for a couple of days, to a week. This area is used to give you the basic issue and to allow enough people to come in to make a full basic training brigade. When you arrive at the Reception Battalion, you will be given your soldiers Manual. This is your miltary bible. The night you get to Reception you will be given 5 minutes to get in the bathroom and shave sideburns (normal short sideburs are fine) and any other facial hair. A good rule would be to shave right before landing, or on the plane. DO NOT tell them that you have already shaved. Go in the bathroom with your stuff and act busy then leave as others are leaving. This will save you time and embarassment. While at reception, you will be given your haircut, your shots, classes on your rights and military law and will complete your paperwork. The day will finally come to leave reception and head for your basic training (IET or OSTS) unit, it is just like the movies. You will all be at attention in line while the DS checks you out. He will look at your ID card and Dog tags and will ask you to get on the bus. They are very nice at this point. The bus will then take you to your IET unit and all hell will break out. The Drill's will yell at you like you have never seen before. Remember that this will change. The first three weeks are known as "TOTAL CONTROL" which means that you do not do anything without a Drill there. You are under more stress those 3 weeks than any other time in basic. They will teach you everything. Go with the flow, do not get pissed off and try to rebel. I am writing or updating this while at Fort Benning, GA at Sand Hill as I am conducting basic training (14 July 03). We had one private 2 days ago that refused to train. He was scared to death when we got him off the bus and decided that this was not for him, so he stood there and said I quit. He stood for 36 hours until the MP's came to get him. When they started putting him in hand cuffs and we started talking about the dishonorable discharge, he changed his mind and begged to train, saying he will be the best soldier there is. You will probably be given a roster number which is your identification. Make sure to put that number with your name on all items that you own or it might get stolen.
After the initial 3 week period, you will start getting more priveldges. Hand in there, it is only 8 weeks.
What kinds of things will I encounter while there?
Have you ever had to eat an entire meal in 6 minutes? You will at Basic, but it is not as hard as you would think. Some places have different rules, but some are just like I am writing about. We would always start with desert. Sometimes the Drill Sergeants will give you more time, but as soon as they see the meat and vegetables are gone, they will kick you out. So, we ate desert first. Sometimes that backfired and we were kicked out anyway.
Wake up is somewhere between 0345 and 0500. That is 3:45am and 5:00am. Bed time is usually around 2200 or 10:00pm. You will have very long days, and very short nights, but it is only for 8 weeks. In the military the big thing is to be on time. You will need to make sure that you have a watch with you, one that fits military standards, which is solid black or green. Being on time means to be there 10 minutes early. If your formation is at 0500, you will be standing at parade rest at 0450 with someone watching for the DS to call the platoon to attention.
What are some things that I need to take to Basic Training?
One change of clothing, and that is about it. Most of the documents that you should need will be copied before you leave the MEPS station. The change of clothing is for the next day, so that you will not be in old stuff. After that, you will be issued 1 set of class B's (short sleeve dress uniform) 1 Class A (Dress Coat) 2 Summer BDU's (Battle Dress Uniforms) and 2 winter BDU's to include name tags. If you are in the reserves or National Guard, you will know what unit you are in because chances are that you enlisted at that unit. They can provide you with the proper patches to take with you for each uniform. If not, ask them what it looks like and go to the local Army/Navy store and get them, that is what I had to do. After Basic go to the clothing sales store and order some new name tags. Your uniform will look a lot better and more professional.
Once you get to Basic, you will be able to go to the PX (Post Exchange) and purchase items. Do not worry about taking money as they will give you a sort of credit card that is like a cash advance from your pay. Get a sewing kit while you are there. Because of locker inspections and having only 4 uniforms it is hard to get the uniforms and field jackets in to get patches put on. Put them on yourself. Everything else that you will be issued does not require a name tag or patches, but write your name on the tag so it does not get lost while washing. A soldier never wants to go anywhere without the proper uniform, which means if patches are not worn, or the proper uniform was lost, you will be in it in a deep way. If you will be leaving Basic and going to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) right away and will be there for a while, keep your ATM cards and drivers license. These may come in handy for renting cars or boats after you get privileges again. After the 3rd week of AIT we were able to leave the base after class hours. It was more like a college with a lot of guys in smoky the bear hats yelling at you during the day.
Take a black marker with you. After a few weeks of crawling on the ground, the black will wear off your belt buckle and you can color it in with that pen. You will get yelled at if brass is showing. You will also want to put your name and roster number on each item that you own, as everyone has the same stuff and it looks the same.
The most important thing that you will get in Basic Training is mail. It is the only contact that you will have with the outside world. Take index cards and write the address of everyone that you know that will write to you at least once. put a stamp on it and to save time write a small sentence that says, something to the effect of, "I am here, the trip was good, please write." When you get there you will be given your new address and will be REQUIRED to write a letter home. If you have this stuff with you, all you have to do is to write your new address and mail it. I sent out 50 letters the first day and a week later, I started getting mail. Take a little pocket notebook (you will need this anyway) and when you have down time, like sitting on a range waiting to fire, you can write notes. On fire guard is another time, but do not get caught.
Also take two of everything, like tooth paste, tooth brush, razors, shaving cream and other items that you will need, you can also get these at the PX. You will be required to make a display, so one set will go in the display case of your locker. Take some clear tape with you and tape them down so that they will not move. Also we were able to put up pictures in our lockers, but that is totally dependant on the DS, so take them if you want, but be prepared to pack them for the next 9 weeks.
Do I need to be in really good physical shape?
No, you do not have to be in top shape, but rather good shape. Right before I went in, I was running 10 to 15 miles a day in cross country. My first PT test (Physical Training) was taken about 3 days into Basic. I ran my two miles in just over 10 minutes. When I took my last PT test, I ran it in 13:23. We did not do much running for distance, just pushups and that sort of stuff. As far as Basic Training goes, you do need to be in shape. I would simply get to where you can run 3 miles. The PT Test is only 2 miles, but if you are able to run 3 miles, there is not much that would stop you and prevent you from passing the test. Work on pushups and sit ups. That is what the test consist of. What I would do is to run up to the recruiting station and ask them for the minimums that you will need on the run, sit up and pushups. This changes with age, so make sure you get the correct ones. If they will give you a PT card, that is better, because you can give yourself a test and keep score. The better you get on your test, the better you will be. The pushups and sit ups are both given in a 2 minute time frame.
Besides running, it will help you to do a lot of walking. You will walk everywhere. When I was at Ft. Jackson, anything over 6 miles away we were transported, but below 6 miles, we walked. There was also a 20 mile road march at the end of basic. Walking is vital to what you do. There is not much more that I can give you to prepare you physically. The DI's will do that. They will break you down the first 2 weeks, that will be hell, but after that it will get better. You will start liking it a little better, although it will not be a vacation. What you need to do is to set your mind frame to think that this is the worst thing you will ever go through. You will never come home, never see your friends and family again. Really start to believe that. Then when you get there, it will not be as bad as you thought and you might even enjoy it. I was one who was scared to death. I have pictures of my crying when I left. The night before I left I watched the movie Platoon and it scared the crap out of me. To make a long story short, I actually enjoyed basic (about 95% of it). I was pushed so hard, but when it was all over, I was a new person. I knew my limitations, how far I could go, and what I could not do.
What about other hints?
The most important thing that you can remember is that your attitude is what will make it or break it for you. First of all before you leave, picture the worst possible image of what it will be like, then when you get there it will not be as bad as you thought. The people that thought it was a walk in the park, were the ones in for a surprise. One of them even tried to kill himself. It is your attitude that will save you. I was a reserve DS here in Tyler. I worked with people that were going to Basic and I did everything that I could to make them fear going to Basic, but I always got letter or saw them after they got back in the unit and they thanked me for it. I actually watched the movie Platoon the night before I left for MEPS, not by choice, but it scared me so much that I almost went AWOL (Absent With Out Leave).
If you are they type of person that gets mad or frustrated at others, hold it in. That was one of my problems. These 60 people will be your best friends for the next 8 weeks and some will go with you to AIT, You will create friendships that will last a life time. Find a couple of people that you can trust (this takes time) and let those be the only ones that you share everything with. The worst thing to happen is to have someone that you do not like find out that you are talking about them. They can make your life hell and it can quickly spread into breaking the unit into sides which will show and cause you all more trouble. If trouble arises, LET IT GO. Attitudes will be flying and a lot of people will be out to prove that they are the best, but the one who is the best is the one that does not have to prove it. After a few weeks, everything will get on your nerves. People gestures, they way the talk, the way the look, everything, but try to forget it. Just keep telling yourself that it will be over soon. The lack of sleep makes everyone 4 times more irritable. I remember getting into a fight because I stepped on the heal of a fellow soldier when in formation. Just hang in there at that point.
Basic training is also a mind game, played both physically and mentally. They will talk about your parents, brothers, sisters, boyfriend or girl friend. They will tell you that you are not worth anything in society and you have no reason on earth to live. This is all a tactic to break you down mentally and get you as close to the stress breaking point as they possibly can. They want to weed out the people who will not make it in a high stress time, so just hang in there. The feeling that you have when it is all over can not be compared to anything and it only gets better with more training and accomplishments under your belt.
Everyone in that unit is a team member. Helping your fellow soldier is something that has to be done, no questions asked. One day your life may depend on this person and personal feelings must be set aside. Once again, there are no individuals in Basic Training. I remember at one point I had 4 ruck sacks and 3 M-16's, but I was not going to let my friends fall out of the formation. They did the same for me one time too. There is no pride in Basic, so if you have to clean the bathrooms, do it and do it to the best of your ability. Do not complain about it, that just makes moral go down and makes it worse on you.
One more thing to remember. The DS's are there to train you, but they are human also. There is hardly anything that you do that will be right in their eyes, or they will make you think that way. That is one way to increase stress and make everyone function as a team. Do your best always, even when it seems impossible! The goal of the Drill is to train you, not to fail you. If his failure rate is too high, he will be removed from his duty assignment. Some soldiers will be discharged because of medical problems and some for other reasons. Just remember that the drill has a reason for everything done and does not want to see you fail. They will never tell you, but they have pride in the way you grow as a soldier.
That is about all that I can think of now. Just remember that Basic Training is a mental game. The real army is nothing like Basic. Once you are out and get through your AIT (Advanced Individual Training) you will be part of a unit and a family. It is hard being a private, but hang in there, it will get better with time. Once you become an E-5 life in the military as you knew it will totally change.
One more hint. If you are not finished with college yet and are not a JR, consider going to ROTC. The life of an officer is so much different, plus the pay is MUCH BETTER. I went through ROTC about 5 years after enlisting. I got about $210 a month from drill, $100 for ROTC and I think around $200 a month for the GI Bill. The pay is higher now, but even then, that was about $500+ dollars a month that I had. Upon graduation, you become a 2LT and will start an entirely new life as an officer. The best officers are those who have been enlisted before
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