1. what drills are there?\n2. is there a "hell week"\n3 what kind of foods are there to eat in Basic?\n4. any other things I should know?
215863
My broTher has been in the Air Force for 4 years this July. He is on the instant message with me giving me this information. Hope it helps you. \n1. Not much physical activities. it is mostly mental\n2. Hardest week is hell week. This is the 5th week.\n3. Just in a tent for a week. There is a gas chamber, play a few war games. This is all physical and mental\n4. The basic chow hall you only have a few minutes to eat so you can't savor the food.\n5. Keep quiet and have your boots shined good and your bed made good. If not they can undo yours and everyone elses.\n6.Volunteer for KP duty when they ask. If you volunteer for KP duty you will have longer to eat and get deserts.\n7.Go to church services on base. He loved them. Plus it gives you time away from the Ti's (training instructors)\n9.Don't volunteer for element leader or dorm chief unless you like getting yelled at for someone else's mistakes.\n10. Don't volunteer for chow runner. They report to the head table with all the Ti's and say their flight is ready to eat, if they don't do it right away-they get yelled at or their flight eats last if there is more than 1 flight waiting to eat.\n11.Try to know the chain of command(people in charge) before coming in and know all the ranks.\n\nMy brother is a Senior Airman and loves the Air Force. Hope you love it too.\n\nI forgot to add that he can't remember what the food was, but remembered it was good. Plus he ate at Burger King plus they had a place where he bought pizza quite a bit. He was at Lackland AFB in San Antonio,Texas.
160698
Well if its anything like Army basic training you won't get a lot of time to eat so don't be picky. Take what you're given, scarf it down and try not to get noticed. Make sure you drink a lot of water, you won't be allowed pop, you may or may not get juice and milk (in our basic we had to drink at least one glass of water before getting juice or milk). Generally chow halls serve some kind of meat with a starch and a vegetable, its all normal American food, maybe not the tastiest or best cooking, but you're not going to get weird food you've never seen before most likely. For breakfast its bacon and scrambled eggs, maybe sausage, hashbrowns, maybe pancakes. The first few weeks of basic I got pretty much about 4 minutes from the time I sat in my seat to the time the drill sergeants were yelling at me to throw my stuff away and get out of the chow hall. Learn to eat quickly! A good trick I saw a lot of guys do was to grab a few slices of bread and cram those down, at least you feel full for a little while. Also, if you ever get  night when the chow hall puts on a big spread like steak and lobster etc (it happens sometimes) and the drill sergeants let you all eat your fill be very suspicious! Chances are you are going to go straight from the chow hall to physical training and work out until you all puke. Good luck!
390953
I don't know what sureshot649 is talking about and I don't think he does either.  Cell phones are NOT allowed in BCT.  Neither is candy, over the counter meds or anything else like that.  The only thing you can have are basic toiletries.  Everything else, the Army will provide for you.  \n\nSince you're a female, I can't tell you exactly what to expect.  We don't have females do BCT here.  However, I can tell you what the men go through.  It'll be 9 weeks from start to finish, maybe a little longer if you have to stay at Reception for very long.  It will be very physically demanding.  You will be required to pass a PT test.  You'll learn to work as a team.  You'll have NBC training and First Aid.  You'll learn hand to hand combat and bayonet training as well as your weapons qualification and marksmanship.  The Drill Sergeants will yell and push you as hard as they can.  What they teach you are the basics for staying alive.  Listen to them, trust your battle buddy and rest as much as you can.\n\nNo, BCT isn't as tough as when my hubby joined, but they'll still test you and push you beyond what you think you can do.  Stay alert and do what you're told.  Write home when you can and don't be afraid to take advantage of attending church services on Sunday.  \n\nGood luck!!
262563
Just about anything can happen on drill weekends, but generally focuses on MOS (military occupational specialty) specific training, ranges, etc.  Depends on your unit and MOS really.  If you're really curious call your local reserve unit and ask them questions or ask them if you can come see what their training is like.
595430
i had basic training in fort jackson in 1997  at that time the barricks were relatively new so i doubt they have been rebuilt.   each room houses a platoon that is 30 men and 30 women  however for living purposes at night two platoons divide men in one room and women in the other there is one big shower and a bunch of bathroom stalls for each room sleeping is done in bunkbeds that get rearranged during the day to make room for teaching and other platoon activities  you are given a wall locker for your clothes and other personal effects  you must put your name on everything even your underwear (even with the names really big on the butt we had an underwear theif in my platoon)  but from all ive heard fort "relaxin" jackson is as good as it gets for basic in the army  it is pretty much all desk jobs, communication and intelligence jobs there no infantry at all  it really was a lot of fun  \n\n123rd inf reg c company 1st platoon    black lions\n\n\ni disagree  i am catholic and my buddy got me to go to the lds church  they have to get bussed off base so you are gone much longer and you dont have to do as much cleaning of the bay on sunday  and they give you candy a rare treat in basic training\n\n\nand a few people got article 15s for hooking up in the fire escape at night dont be dumb
273126
First, allow me to apologize for the asinine and moronic answers that you have received from the self-serving, not-a-clue crowd that seems to permeate this section of "Yahoo Answers".\n\nSecond, allow me to congratulate you on your choice in serving your nation.  You decision shows great moral courage, fortitude, and the strength needed to allow the "children" the right to spout off about things they don't understand.\n\nThird, LIFE AFTER BASIC. *L*  It's a job.  You're daily routine will be something like:\n\nMonday - Wednesday & Friday: \n0600-0700 PT (exercise)\n0700-0900 Personal Hygeine\n0900-1130 Work (do your job) or Training (Infantry, Armor, can't always "do" their job)\n1130-1300 Lunch\n1300-1630 Work or Training\n1630 Released for the day (party, BBQ, go to the movies, etc.\n\nThursday:\n0600-1200 Train\n1200-1300 Lunch\n1300-1500 Train \n1500 Released for the day\n\nSaturday and Sunday:  Do what you want.\n\nI'm afraid I can't help you on what to expect in Iraq and/or Afganistan.  I was one of the few that didn't get to go to either region.  HOWEVER, you will be expected to DO YOUR JOB.  That's it.  Nothing more, nothing less.  \n\nAgain, congratulations, and good luck.
130677
Drill instructors will get "in your face" in basic training.  Some claim that this is abusive, but that's limited to people who have never experienced a a combat environment.  \n\nThe stress level in basic training is probably higher than anything you'll have experienced to date though it pales in comparison to combat.  If you can't cut it in basic training, then you're not fit for military service.\n\nMost troops' thoughts when the first round of shells or bullets have stopped flying include a silent "Thank You" to their drill instructor.\n\nDrill instructors won't physically assault their charges, but they WILL defend themselves if they are assaulted.
599663
Boot Camp is extremely tough.  That's the point of it.  Drill Instructors ARE NOT allowed to touch recruits at any time unless it is necessary (IE: you're choking and need the heimlich)  Drill Instructors are also trained to CONTROL THEMSELVES and not hit, kick, or beat recruits.  Keep in mind, most DIs are CAREER Marines... they have been Marines for many many years and will continue to be for years to come.  Their career is EXTREMEMLY IMPORTANT to them and most wouldn't even consider putting that in jeopardy by assaulting a recruit.  However, none of this will save you from a verbal lashing.  You'll get that no matter what you do or say, or what you don't do or say in boot camp.  It's all part of the process!
178248
call a recruter, he will give you a practice ASVAB, if you pass and have no criminal record, they will take you to take the ASVAB, do tons and tons of paper work do background checks, drug tests then swear you in. off to basic you go!\nin no time youll be SAILLLLING\nPS~ is it so hard for ppl to honestly be helpful and not such jerks?
605559
Firstly, get physically fit. Normal fitness is the absolute minimum, but in addition to that, you need to look at a few things that you would not normally do. Wear\n a backpack. Carrying a backpack requires practice to get used to and nothing else you could do can substitute for actually doing it. Put some weight in the backpack. I would suggest about 10 - 25 kgs. \nToughen up your feet. You will be wearing boots which are not "sneakers", and wearing boots is a lot tougher on your feet than you can imagine. It is a pretty good idea to start trying to run and excercise in boots. You can try using Methylated spirits; rub a little onto your feet every day. \nTake nylon woman's stockings with you. Wear them under everything ie put them on first then your socks and boots. They will help you to avoid blisters. If you wear them all the way up to your waist, then they will help you to avoid chafing between your legs as well. \nTake a lot of Asprin with you. Half a tablet taken each morning will help to ease the normal aches and pains that you will experience. (Check of you are allowed to do this.. I am no expert on what the US military will or will not allow).\nIgnore "folk-lorish" advice like "Never volunteer". You are signing up to become an Officer. You need to get used to the fact that you should be a leader, and leaders need to lead. Sometimes this means volunteering. Just choose as best you can what you volunteer for. This can sometimes be difficult as DIs are notoriously clever at making things difficult, but they notice things like willingness and good attitudes and this will stand you in good stead. \nBe prepared to "eat soup with a spoon". By this I mean that a lot of the things that you will be required to do and learn will seem incredibly foreign to what you consider to be normal or even reasonable, but baring truly sadistic or immoral behaviour, be prepared to do things without understanding the reasons why you are asked to do them. \nMake a friend quickly once you are assigned to your training platoon. Best if this is the person who sleeps next to you. Work together with this person on personal tasks like cleaning boots, making your bed, cleaning your rifle etc. Helping someone else learn is the fastest way to learn to do it yourself.\nDisengage your normal inclination to look for reasons for people's actions and the things you are required to do. A lot of the things that you will have to do will appear to be completely against all logic or reason. This might in fact be the case, and the test is to see what your attitude is or to test your ability to lead others in a task that has no apparent purpose.\nWork on your fear of heights. Everyone has a fear of heights, but most people are able to supress that fear to accomplish a task. You might need to work on this more or less than other people, but it is a good idea to be prepared to for example, climb over an obstacle. \nWork together as a team with those around you. One of the primary objectives of Basic Training is to form a group of individuals into a group that will work together to achieve a common objective. This will be observed and tested. \nPrepare yourself to follow orders. This can be more difficult than you expect. During basics, you can be pretty sure that there will be very few instances where you actually have to think at all about whether the order is a legal one or not, but be aware of the possible abuse of power. You might be tested on your ability to discern the difference between a legal order and an illegal one, but this should be made pretty clear to you at the time,\nRead as widely as you can about the military and military life. Ask questions like this and read the answers. Select the ones that that other veterans agree with. \nDon't fuss or worry. Prepare yourself as best as you are able. The POINT of Basic Training is to turn you into a soldier. You are NOT expected to arrive there knowing everyt
289822
I was there. So just listen. Try your best to stay quiet and not cause problems. You will go pretty much UNNOTICED. That is what you want. There are two kinds of attention. The guys who are all gung-ho and know everything, and those who are just retarded and are always screwing up. Don't let yourself fall into either category. The know-it-alls will get crushed by the NCO's becuase they HATE smartasses. Just keep your mouth shut for the first three weeks and I promise you will come out WAY ahead. I am talking top of the class. That is the secret. I was a Drill for 6 rotations and I am telling you that is where you will get your respect. Do what you are told with a smile on your face and your mouth shut. You will be left alone by week 4, while everyone else will still be getting "picked on". Just remember, there is NEVER an accident. Everything is planned. We have P.T already scheduled, but we go into the barracks and find a problem, then we blame that person for the extra work. Its not extra. It is planned. It is for your own good. Noone is there to hurt you or let you fail. Do what they say, it will pass by in a flash. Do it your own way, and it will be one long, miserable stay.
209176
You get used to the food. Have to eat fast as you not have long, though you can always get more to eat if there is time. Up early and have a Bic Lighter to burn strings off your "Pickle Suit". Have to keep Everything in it's place for inspection. Hide the Shaving Razor you use and keep an unused one for inspection. Soap Dish clean so do not use soap and have Dry Clean Soap Dish, wash with your shampoo. Learn the little things/Short cuts to keep inspection cool. Pay Attention to how the Bed Made the First night as you will have to make it back the same tomorrow. "Woolly Boogers" have to be captured and disposed of. NEVER volunteer for anything and only talk if they ask, bring attention to yourself with little jokes and you will get their attention. LOL! Some is class room study, learning about chain of command, ranks who to Salute and How. Some Exercise, setups, push up that kind of stuff. Learn to shoot a gun, work as a team, sneak to the Bowling ally. Most everything you buy when you get there. The Bags we brought and clothes we wore went into a locked closet never to be seen again until we left for Training School. March everywhere. That some of it. Just make it through, be tough. You can do it and then the Tech School gets a little more slack and then when you get to your Permanent Base it get pretty fun. Like a regular job.
586953
When I was in it i was in NJROTC which is the navy version. We had classes learning about the navy and we also had a day atleast once a week when we went outside to play or practice drills, u also get called out of class before a pep rally or event to prepare. I was in it for 2 years and really liked it. We also had to wear our uniform once a week.
548439
Alright starting from the top: \n\n1. \n\nOverview. The weapons school provides Gunner's Mate training ranging from fundamental rate-specific training needed by entry level petty officers to advanced courses in weapons systems, hydraulics, electricity, electronics, and small arms instruction. Weapons School courses emphasize hands-on training in well-equipped labs and firing ranges. Courses include Gunner's Mate "A" School and several Gunner's Mate "C" Schools. \n\nGunner's Mate "A" School\nThis intensive 10 week course located in Taylor Hall teaches selected non-rated personnel to perform as junior petty officers at an entry level job in the Gunner's Mate rating. Students learn the administrative, operation, and maintenance skills needed to operate and maintain Coast Guard small arms and machine guns. Course topics include: \n\nCoast Guard Ordnance \nPyrotechnics and Ammunition \nMagazines \nSmall Arms \nMachine Guns and Small Arms Administration \nOrdnance Administration \nRecommended pre-reporting studies/tips. The following "tips" are offered to help you get the most from GM "A" school: \n\nTry to get your E-PME course and related practical factors completed prior to departing for TCYorktown (if possible). \nBrush up on mathematical skills related to whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. \nStudy any ordnance materials available at your unit. \nReport with a sharp uniform (Tropical Blue Long in summer and SDB in winter) and a complete sea bag. \nPrerequisites. Available from governing Coast Guard directives.\n\nPoint of Contact. You can contact the school for specific questions regarding course content and program of instruction at (757) 856-2705 (voice) or (757) 856-2265 (fax).\n\nGunner's Mate "C" Courses\nThese courses include specialized training and instruction in Coast Guard Weapons Systems and Small Arms instruction. Contact the school at (757) 856-2705 (voice) or (757) 856-2064 (fax) to learn more about their courses. Specific courses include: \n\nMK 38 25MM Machine Gun System (GM-8)\nOne week course of instruction that is designed to teach operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and use of the Mk38 Machine Gun System. \n\nMK 36 MOD 1 Decoy Launching System (SRBOC) (GM-9)\nFour day course of instruction on designed to teach maintenance and troubleshooting the Mk 36 Mod 1 Decoy Launching System. Students must have satisfactorily completed GM "A" school.\n\nMk 75 Operation and Maintenance Course (GM-11) \n14-week course of instruction designed to teach Gunner's Mates the operation and maintenance of the 76mm 62 Caliber Gun Mount, Mk 75 Mod 0. The course also includes basic hydraulics, electricity, and electronics principles. Students must have satisfactorily completed GM "A" school.\n\n2. \n\nA VERY good class to take during High School to help on the ASVAB test is JROTC. Check in your local high school if they offer a Navy , Army, Air Force JROTC. If you join JROTC when you enlist when you are 18, after boot camp you will be automatically promoted to an E3 in the Navy, and E2 in the Army and AF. Coast Guard I believe you will be promoted to an E3. \n\nMake sure you get good grades, and pay close attention to your English literature classes, and of course Math and Science. But if you want to go to Gunners Mate, pay very close attention in Math, especially Calculas, Alebra, and Statistics, as well as Physics science classes. \n\n3. Stationing in the Coast Guard is very hard. Won't lie. After boot camp they will send you most likely down south, or to the West Coast, or if you're LUCKY the east coast. However, if you finish in the top 3 of your BLT (Boot camp, it is now called basic leadership training) you will have a VERY good say in where you wwant to be stationed. Don't think that the military doesn't think about where you want to be stationed. They do. Just work hard. Diligently, and make sur
309097
Thanks for anwsering my question now I will anwser yours.\nI have been in the Army for 6 years now. What is your MOS? (job title) Im a 11B Infantryman. \n\nWhat to bring. Well when I went I was told to bring all kinds of crap and ended up not needing it. \n\nGet a nice new pair of running shoes try and brake them in before you go.\n1-2 towels/washcloths. Basic Hygene kit, razors, 1 can shaving cream, tooth brush/paste, None brakable mirror, fingernail clippers WITH NO FILE, and q-tips. \n\nDO NOT BRING knifes, files, pocketwatches. ect..... anything that you think they might take from you they probably will. NO sharp objects... you get the picture. \n\nUnless they changed it over the last 6 years you will get a debit card that has $300.00 (of your first pay check of course that can only be use at the PX store on base) So you will be able to buy more crap that you think you will need when you get there. \n\nAs far as if your in shape or not. If your not in shape now dont worry about it cause you will be by the time you are finnished. When I joined I was 210 .lbs I came out at 150! 4 years later gained it back lol beefcake! Anyways, here are some pointers. If you have a temper learn to keep your mouth shut. Learn quickly what your are tought. If a drill Sgt tells you to do something do it good and as fast as you can. If you fck up alot you will stick out more and they will make your life more of a living hell as they can. I have heard that Basic training has gone soft comparied to what I or thoughs before me went through, not as much yelling and crap. When you get deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan remember what you have been taught and if there is someone in your unit that has been there before get with them and ask as many questions as you can. Learn your job!  \n\nPlease email me and let me know what your MOS is and I will try and give you an idea of what you are in for alittle more. \n\nOh yeah and when you get in ask about the Rakkasans\nwe are the craziest unit there is. \n\nHave fun and good luck
405072
These are great questions that you should ask your local recruitment officer.  He can give you specific numbers on the your earnings and what you should expedt in basic training.
1943
Here it is, Troop:\nThe "book", think of it as an "I love me book". It should have all the information that got you to this point in your career. The upfront stuff would be your current APFT and counceling statements. But you are trying to sell yourself for as a candidate to the board members. Include copies of your awards and badges you've earned, don't forget those Letters of Appreciation signed by a LTC and above. Include copies of certificates of special training and any college classes you've taken. If you've done some legit volunteer work it shows you've spent time develping yourself as soldier and gave back to the community. The best thing to do is go to your AKO and print your Military Personnel Records Jacket (MPRJ) and use it as a check list. The board members want to see the details of why you are such a good Soldier. \n\nMake a copy of everything (use color if you can), put them in document protectors and get a plain three-ring binder to put them all together. It would be helpful if you used tabbed dividers to organize the sections. AWARDS, SCHOOLS (military and civilian), ADIMINISTIVE, and if you want to be a high speed PFC go get a DA photo made. It's a lot of extra cheese but it won't hurt and its free.\n\nSSG B., 1 ID, 1-63AR