How many miles do you have to run in basic training?

Answer 1

During the Viet War US Army trainees (Boot Camp) had to run in their black leather combat boots and army OD/OG (Olive Drab/Olive Green) fatiques. The ONLY difference between the PT uniform and the regular uniform was the PT uniform consisted of an un-tucked shirt. Tucked in, regular soldier; un-tucked, PT time. Going to the rifle range was double time a port arms; returning might be marching or double time, then low crawling to the barracks if somebody was angry that day. Exam running was probably 400 yards baton relay, again in the black leather combat boots & fatiques.

The emphasis in the 1960's was: carrying a man fireman style about 100 yards (possibly round trip); double timing with the M14 rifle at port arms; and low crawling with your steel helmet sliding across the dirt. RUNNING was not important during the war days. Carrying wounded men off the battlefield, going everywhere with your M14 rifle (the rifles were chained in rifle racks within the barracks within reach of the men, and rifles were at stack arms during class and eating (messhall). Rifles were with the men 24/7. Low crawling was emphasized to "keep from being shot." If a man didn't keep his head or behind sliding across the dirt, a DI would put his boot to it, pushing one's head or rear-end into the ground. Surviving Vietnam was the goal, DI's would yell, "You know where you're going...now crawl!"

Vietnam era trainees were instructed and led by WWII veterans. Their reasoning was, since the men had to fight in combat boots...they would TRAIN in combat boots! Fight as they trained. Same with the uniform; trainees had to fight in fatiques, then by George they'd TRAIN in fatigues! During the war it was MISSION FIRST, safety hopefully came along with it...but the mission came first!

After the war came; political correctness and safety first.

Today's Army trainees will go thru training that only the recruiter can answer; he's not only geared to answer those questions, it's HIS JOB!