Camping Out Ideas - Tips on boot camp in the Army!!?

Tips on boot camp in the Army!!?

I'm am enlisting into the Army. Will sign in Jan. I just wonted to get some tips from ppl who have already been there and done what I'm about to go through. Ya know give me a few tips. What to expect r not to expect. Is it really as rought as all the stories I've heard. I know that I shall be able to over come anything I set my mind to. But I would like to hear from some ppl and get u all's stories. Thanks alot everyone for your time.

Public Comments

Why the Army? Let me guess, more money for education. Wanna know why? Because you are in the field all the time sleeping in tents and running drills. If you join the Air Force, you don't do all that junk and you can work on your education while "off duty". Email me if you want to know more
"Basic Combat Training (BCT) is a nine-week training course (not including the "Reception" week) where recruits go through the process of becoming full-fledged Soldiers. Throughout the process, you will learn new rules, learn to trust yourself and understand what it means to be a Soldier in the U.S. Army." WEEK 00: RECEPTION This is where your civilian life becomes part of the Army world—from bidding farewell to family to getting your Army haircut to making sure you're physically fit. WEEK 01: FALL IN Once Reception Week completes, it's now time to understand new rules, regulations and processes involved in being in the Army. Classroom instruction begins. WEEK 02: DIRECTION Leaving the classroom for the field, it's time to test your physical and mental endurance, and also get trained in First Aid and map reading. WEEK 03: ENDURANCE One thing you'll realize in Week 03 is to believe in the mantra: mind over matter. Physical and mental challenges build as you start simulated combat drills. WEEK 04: MARKSMANSHIP Learning to shoot a rifle is more than pulling the trigger. Marksmanship courses teach new recruits not only the proper way to hold a weapon, but also how to breathe and stand while firing are equally important. WEEK 05: TRIALS This is where the previous weeks' work pays off: tests in endurance and marksmanship await all recruits. WEEK 06: CAMARADERIE Each recruit is only as strong as his platoon. During Week 06, bonds are tested and trust exercises implemented. WEEK 07: CONFIDENCE Hand grenade training; live fire exercises; foot marching; and overall physical fitness are tested in the Confidence Course. WEEK 08: VICTORY FORGE It's time to put everything you've learned up to this point to the real test: a three-day field retreat to Victory Forge. WEEK 09: GRADUATION All your hard work has led you to this day. Family and friends eagerly await to see you complete your Basic Training course. http://www.goarmy.com/life/basic/index.jsp?hmref=qu
As far as the mental games, screaming and yelling from the Drill Sergeants, I have read in the Army Times that those actions have been discouraged. As far as physical fitness, you need to be ready for runs, push-ups and sit-ups. A minimum of at least a two mile run, at least 40 sit-ups and push-ups. Get used to having other soldiers watch you shower, change and other things. Make sure you get an MOS that you really like. Do not settle for the "That MOS is not available right now, but we do have an opening for..." B.S. Ask for a job you like and expect that job to be given to you or else tell them you are not signing up.
I had a great time in Boot Camp, I was 11B, Infantry and went to Ft. Benning GA. Here are my two top tips for having an enjoyable/educational experience. #1. Go ready to get in shape. Do not fear the drill sgts. They are there to get you in shape and train you for combat & your MOS. Learn as much as you can from them, they are extraordinary men/women, truly some of the nation's finest. When they are tough on you, instead of taking it personally, remember that this is just their job. If they were not tough on you, they didn't do their job right. Whenever you get 'smoked' by your DS, just think to yourself "This is getting me in better shape." #2. Be a team player. Teamwork will get you everywhere, don't try to do anything on your own. Remember that the guy's there with you are going thru the same thing you are. They are scared, intimidated and not sure what is coming next. Partner up with them they will help you and you will help them. You will remember this time for the rest of your life. Try to have a positive outlook on this and you will do fine.
Its rugged hell...but its supposed to be. The worst thing for me was no free time and no privacy...I mean none. One time during a twelve mile road march, I had to run into the treeline to crap....it was the first time I had been alone in seven weeks. It was heaven. The physical training is tough, but it will get you in great shape. Just take one day at a time. If you start thinking "oh no, I've got x more weeks of this!" it will drive you crazy. Just try to make it through each day. Before you know it, its over, and you will be proud that you made it through. The only advice I will give you is to try to be anonymous. My Drill Sergeant did'nt know my name until the fifth or sixth week. Always be somewhere in the middle...don't be the best and certainly don't be the worst at anything. If you can sort of stay "under the radar", it really isn't that bad. Good Luck. You will do fine.
Easy. First step- Show up at the Air Force recruiter instead. Then you will forget about the Army.
My hubby would say that you must be "truly motivated..highly dedicated"..in other words fake it till you make it lol..don't screw up!
Bring very little You will issued what you need and brought to the PX to buy what is considered "allowable". They can no longer hit you, curse at you, or even smoke in your presence. They are professionals that have the duty and responsibility to make sure you are ready physically, and emotionally for what lies ahead. After Basic you will move onto AIT (Advance Individual Training). You are given more freedoms there depending on the length of the course and your general performance either individually (rarely) or more often as a unit (generally). Congratulations on making this life changing move..!!! You will have good times and bad on the road ahead, you may regret some things in the near and coming future, but it will work out better than you imagined it could right now. You will make friends that are closer than you can imagine. These friends will quickly replace the ones you have now. That sounds absurd I know, but imagine coming to know a friend so closely that you know exactly what they are thinking just by a facial expression or a piece of body language. This happens because you become 'one' with the soldiers around you. They are more than just a 'friend', and closer than family sometimes. You will have been around them only a few months, but in that time you will have spent more time getting to know them than you ever had with your friends now. This all sounds kinda ridiculous now, but do me a personal favor..... write me in six months and tell me how it went. Once I get back from Iraq.... the first beer is on me.
brown nose, your CO and sarge will love you
listen, 3-6 years can be a long time if you go into a job/mos you dont like. you dont have to get a bonus, the more people trying to get the mos the less the bonus is, some dont even give you the option. be stubborn in choosing a mos because when you do its yours.
Do what you're told and shut up.
+ A single word that will help the most is "BLEND" I mean never be first, never be last, never stick out, follow directions to the best of your abilities, then you will do fine. They don't ask for things that can't be done, but it may be challenging. Never give up as each day gets better, follow these simple rules and when you graduate you will feel like a million bucks. because you have accomplished something special. You are now a part of US history and in the books. Where that leads you will have a part in it. My son just graduated from Fort Sill's his buddie went to Fort Bragg(Airborne). I heard they are the hardest. There are some more I guess Sill's is the second hardest(artillary the King of battle) Good Luck and God Bless You..
Clamdigger and Spinich gave the best answers taken together. I actually enjoyed basic (and even missed two weeks in the hospitol and still manged to graduate with my company!). But yeah, your DIs are there to teach you and get you in shape for the military. But keep in mind what Clamdigger said and BLEND. Heh, me coming down with bronchitis and then pnemonia(sp on both?) while I was in killed that heh. But my DIs were great as well as the rest of my platoon that I was training with and we all pulled each other through. Buddy system just kicks so much ass. Best wishes and good luck!
First it is all mental. It always gets worse before it gets better, but remember just when you think you can't go on anymore you are getting paid to get in the best shape of your life. Once you hit bottom there is no where to go but up. Good luck.