What to know before US Army basic training?

Answer 1

• Recruits arrive for general orientation and are given haircuts and issued Army uniforms.
• Basic Tactical training begins followed by Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defense, Landmine Defense and rappelling at the confidence tower.
• Recruits learn about Army heritage and the Seven Army Core Values
• Recruits undergo the Army Physical Fitness Test to help determine their physical aptitude. This test is routinely administered to Soldiers throughout their enlistment periods to ensure their top physical condition.
• Tactical Foot March, Basic Rifle Marksmanship
• Engagement Skills and Situational Training Exercises
• Field Training Exercises, Confidence Obstacle Course and the Tactical Foot March
• U.S. Weapons Training (.50 Caliber M2), (Hand Grenades), (M136 AT-4), (M240B Machine Gun), (M249 Machine Gun)
• Field Training Exercise 3
• Tactical Foot March 10KM and 15KM

Answer 2

1. Do what you are told, when you are told, how you are told.
2. Do not deviate from orders.
3. Do not get creative in following orders.
4. Be heard, not seen.
5. Keep your head down, and your feet moving.
6. Most of all, keep your eyes and ears open and remember what you are told. It might save your life, or more importantly the life of someone else.

Answer 3

Keep copies of ALL paperwork you receive, and store it in a safe place. And expect it to suck. Everything else, you sort of learn as you go.

Other thoughts:This is hindsight -

• This might seem a little redneck or 1980's, but buy a velcro closing wallet. Best bet if you can find one is a water resistant one. You are going to spend a lot of time in mud. You will not want to spend as much time trying to dry out what is in your wallet. You might want to get a small zipper lock bag for your Social Security card too--another time saver.
• Take $50 with you when you report. Within days of arriving, you will be taken to the PX to purchase necessities. Not having cash, you will have to sign an allotment to withdraw the amount you spend (usually limited) from your first pay. Buy a sturdy file folder with a tie-down flap for that paperwork you will be saving. Buy a book too and save it for BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship). If you are one of the few who qualify quickly, you will be sitting around waiting for a long time for others.
• Keep a journal from day one. From the moment the bus stops and the meanest person you have ever imagined climbs aboard and makes you regret the decision to join, until graduation day, so much is going to happen so quickly, that you will only remember bits and pieces, flashes of events. Do yourself a favor and write it all down, with names, locations, dates and time. When you are an old man, you will be glad you did.
• Pictures - When you get your first visit to the PX, buy a camera. Keep buying them and get the film/SD card developed as soon as possible. Label the back of every photo in ink with the date, location, and names of those photographed. Sounds a little OCD, but do it and you will not regret it.
• Keep the letters you receive, and store them with those important papers in the file folder you bought at the PX.

Answer 4

Walking (marching) mostly. US Army Drill consists of unit movement, and learning to take movement commands.

Weapons drill is another matter and is typically more a ceremonial matter.