Duration : 10 weeks
Locations: Fort Benning
Fort Benning, Ga.
Fort Jackson
Columbia, S.C.
Fort Knox
Louisville, Ky.
Fort Leonard Wood
Waynesville, Mo.
Fort Sill
Lawton, Okla.
Physical Fitness Requirement:
- Timed 2-mile run
- 2 minutes of sit-ups
- 2 minutes of push-ups
Unlike the Airforce that has only one boot camp location the Army has several, including Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina; Fort Knox in Louisville, Kentucky; Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville, Missouri; Fort; and Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. Where you go depends on your job training. Theres more information about this at a website Iv come across: Army Installations Listing. Iv reviewed over an enlisted member's experience and thoughts and Its pretty helpful. Here's what I got.
So from what I got out from it, enlistees who are "lucky" enough to attend basic training at Fort Benning, GA are gonna be part of a test program which will change this schedule and information on BT alot. The training hasn't changed but the test program make you do way more intense field exercises. Theres more info on this website here.
Just like Airforce training your gonna want to do some preparing before you arrive at your camp. Your recruiter should give you a list for what you should and shouldn't bring to Army camp. Its not like high school "slip bye with little thing". Its "Army Boot Camp" don't bring anything that's not on the list. And if your curious about something you actually need that's not on the list ask your recruiter about it first. Your Sergeants have a way of using u as an example if you have and un-authorized items in your possession. And if you can help it, you don't wanna do anything to be awarded the MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) of "Temporary Teaching Aid".
Also very important if you smoke, dip, ect. This will be prohibited while your in Boot Camp as for any boot camp so If I were you Id get used to doing without that early in advance.
A chunk of your time is going to be Marching, Drills, Ceremonies, and lots & lots of Standing in Formation. One recruit said "Try standing in one place, ramrod straight and perfectly still. If a mosquito bites you, don't slap it. If sweat rolls into your eye, don't wipe it away. And if you scratch your thigh, do 20 push-ups and jump back into position." Yea pretty serious stuff.... Also Iv heard that it is just like "hell" at camp. Some say that being in the army is not like a regular civilian life and that you will be pushed to do stuff that may make you mad or upset u, also if they tell you to work overtime you "will" work with no additional pay. You can be kicked out and if I were you. Id just do what im told and try not to get myself in the rough. But you know people sometimes say alot of stuff and its not nearly as bad. My good friend is in the military and he always says he cant wait to get home, but he never actually dreads going in. So I would assume its not "that" bad. Plus its good pay. I would recommend you find something you actually "enjoy doing" no matter what branch your in and I think you will have a better time.
Your arms will thank you for practicing some drills before you go. Its also really good if you start ahead of the game by memorizing Army officer and enlisted ranks. And also you want to memorize Army Generals Orders before you head to Basic.
Army General Orders (For Boot Camp)
1. I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.
2. I will obey my special orders and perform all of my duties in a military manner.
3. I will report violations of my special orders, emergencies, and anything not covered in my instructions to the commander of the relief.
From what Ive heard the biggest "un-exciting words" Around army Boot Camps has been "Core Values". That will continuously be jammed into your head during your 9 week stay. You'll sleep eat... and um eat some more about army core values until you think they're part of the Constitution.v Memorizing these will give you a little extra breather while everyone else is trying to put them in memory.(Tip: the leaders spell out LDRSHIP)
Each new recruit is given a copy of the TRADOC Pamphlet 600-4, IET Soilder's Handbook. you can give yourself a head start in learning learning some of things you'll need to know to graduate boot camp by going over this in advance. Next to Marine Corps Boot Camp, Army Boot Camp is the most physically intensive. If you are not physically active your gonna want to start as soon as possible. Concentrate on running (both sprints, and distance), push ups, and sit ups, as these are the basics for both "pre-test", and final PT test.
Meds. ~ over the counter medication wont be allowed at basic. If you bring it anyway they will take it from you. All prescription medication will will be re-evaluated by a military doctor upon arrival. If the doctors determine that it is necessary, the civilian medication will be taken away, and the recruit will be re-issued the medication by the military pharmacy. This includes birth control pills (for women). Women are usually encouraged to continue taking birth control pills during basic training, if they took them before going to basic, to ensure that their systems maintain their regular cycle.......(WOMAN QUESTION) - > As for me, im a little concerned about this because I get really bad menstrual cramps that require me to take Advil, or another form of ibuprofen. Im not sure the doctor will prescribe me anything if i were in boot camp. Im pretty sure they wont. But when i do get these cramps it usually ends up me being in bed all day because I cant move, vomiting, and bad stomach sickness. So if anyone has some helpful advice, I would be more than happy to hear it. I know birth control pills lighten your periods but what about the cramping???
*Girls, everyone of you im sure is questioning about the time of the month. Pads and Tampons are readily available, and lots of women just use them through training as normal. Bathroom breaks should be given often, so you can change them as needed. If you have an emergency, you probably will get your sergeants attention and say its a code red, or something of that sort and they should dismiss you. Most women recommend Tampons because they're smaller and easier to store and carry on your person. Also they will probably feel more comfortable on those more physically demanding days. Some have just purchased panti liners and those are small and easy to store as well. Your feminine supplies will have to go deep in a small area into your security drawer along will all your toiletries like hair stuff, stationary ect.
*You will not have a lot of space to put stuff regardless of which branch boot camp you attend so keep it minimal and only bring a small amount. One small pack, or box of tampons/pads is fine. Every branch boot camp should have a mini store for you and your group to go buy stuff you will soon need later. Im very sure that you are allowed to carry tampons/pads on your person. I think this is the only personal item allowed in your pockets on your person. Most women due to soo much stress actually skip their period all together. Expect it to come, but if it doesn't then don't worry its normal. Everyone has different bodies. If you have an accident, don't worry. Your Sargent has been through it before, and they have a whole group of 50+ menstruating women, so don't feel awkward or scared to speak up. You should ask your Sergeant what you should say if you do have an emergency. Otherwise more than likely they will let you know in the first few days there.
*If you forget pads or tampons ask one of your groupie members, im sure they have to be going through the same thing! As now about my issue. Even if you have bad cramps and you need i mean NEED pills they wont let you "self-medicate"yourself. A good thing to do is wean yourself off pills because you wont be able to take them at basic. But yea... I don't think that's going to work for me :/ Iv heard most women just stuck in there and sucked it up. I "would" but i most likely would faint due to the pain, which yes has happened before. The doctors say its normal soo I really can do nothing about it. Now what if u spot :o well no biggie, we all may do it accidentally at one point or another so don't sweat it. your laundry crew probably wont be looking for it so they wont care. you can try to rinse it with water as soon as you can before you put it to wash but you wont have time to do anything else.
Here's some tips Sarah Lyles, who went through Army Basic at Fort Jackson, gives this advice (especially for us females) :
Rule #1: Bring plenty of undergarments to get you through about a week, because (1); having time to do laundry is scarce, and (2); finding an open washing machine is just about as difficult.
Rule #2: If you want to have a short hair-cut, go to a salon BEFORE you leave. The PX salons are about as great as letting a 3-year old with a pair of scissors cut your hair. Please, get it cut beforehand or you will be forced to fix your hair with a pair of sewing scissors! (Trust me, this takes forever!)
Rule #3: Don't take any unneeded items with you. This will just cause a ton of grief for you. Leave all the make-up, radios, magazines, etc. AT HOME. Don't believe me? Wait until you get there. The Army DS aren't too keen on people who like to hide their contraband.
Rule #4: And last but not least, get into shape BEFORE you leave for Basic Training. This will help so much. The physical training starts as soon as you get there, not a week or two after. You want your body to be prepared, not put into shock.
LeeLee62, a member of Message Forum, graduated from Army Basic Training at Fort Jackson, and gives the following advice:
Stamps and some stationary are good to bring. Take about $20 worth of quarters for the PowerAde machines, too. You will need it at Jackson.
Make sure you have an ATM card you can use from time to time to get more cash for the machines.
Get some moleskin ahead of time for use in your boots, too. It will cut down on the blisters of breaking in new boots.
At Jackson, you will probably have to buy a lot of new stuff anyway at the PX. They will give you a chitcard for about $250 to spend on assigned items at the PX. You will not be allowed to buy any items not allowed in BCT barracks. The $250 comes out of your first pay, so be ready for that.
The PX will have prepared baskets of required BCT goodies for you to buy. Things like toothbrushes, toothbrush holders, soap bar holders and all that.
Most BCT units require you to buy new running shoes, so don't bother getting new ones before you go. Make sure the shoes you wear to Reception at Jackson are very comfy. There is no telling how long you will have to run in them before you get out of Reception.
Only exercise when the drills tell you to exercise. They don't want you getting hurt before you actually go to BCT. You can't run, do push-ups, nothing, without their ok. It will probably drive you nutty.
Some folks got trapped at Reception for nearly a month. Don't let it get you down if that happens. The real Army isn't at Reception. Hell, it isn't even at BCT or AIT, but you will see what I mean.
While at Reception make sure to stay in your own lane, do what the Drill Sergeants tell you to do, and don't gossip or get into other people's business. That seems to be the quickest way for fights to occur. You do not want an Article 15 (nonjudicial punishment) before you even start BCT.
( I have decided to add a little more army Inormation I hope you find it helpfull )
