Is basic training at Fort Jackson a walk in the park?
826716
I was in Basic at Ft. Jackson close to four years ago now, and from what I've heard, it's vastly different than it was than when I was there, and that really wasn't that long ago.  When I was there, you're damn right the drill sergeants cussed--and why shouldn't they?  Everyone in the Army cusses.  If you don't like cussing you're in for a rough time merely beyond what you'd hear in Basic.  Everything else I have to say is based on my own experience there, a little less than four years ago, so bear in mind some things might have changed.  Recruits could NOT smoke, could NOT eat things mailed to them (the drill sergeants kept them and often ate them), could only make phone calls once they got out of Red phase and went to White phase and Blue phase (latter phases when increased priviledges were earned by platoons and companies individually).  The only reading they were allowed was a Bible or something else of a religious nature, although newspapers were allowed on Sundays.  You had brief, infrequent, monitored trips to the shoppette, and what you bought there was inspected to make sure you weren't trying to be a sneak and buy things like candy... even orange-flavored cough drops were prohibited.\n\nI realize that people who went to Basic at Ft. Benning, Ft. Knox, Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Sill, and other places all consider Ft. Jackson to be the easiest, but I found it to be pretty tough, most of the time--and I realized even then (and appreciated) just how much things had changed from the days when my dad was in the Army during the Vietnam days, when drill sergeants could still beat you to a bloody pulp for being a dumbass, or for any other reason.  It was far easier by the time I got there, and I have no doubt it's even easier than that now, and that's isn't a good thing.  All these restrictions on drill sergeants and on what they can or can't do or make recruits do usually come from complaints made by parents and civilians and others who have little or nothing to do with the Army, and frankly have no business whining about how Basic is conducted.  It's SUPPOSED to be hard, it's SUPPOSED to weed out people who don't belong there; there are SUPPOSED to be people who drop out or are removed.  And they aren't soldiers until AFTER they've completed Basic.  Would you call a guy on his first day of flight school a pilot, or a first-day med student a doctor?  Some titles are earned, and "soldier" and "warrior" and certainly "veteran" should still be among those reserved titles.  Let those who know the Army best, and have proven themselves as competent leaders, make decisions on how training should be run... if you've never served, you really have no business telling an E-7 drill sergeant that he can't yell at some dumbass recruit who can't even wash himself.
1087454
It all has to do with your life style. We are an ARMY family.  Fort Sam was fun when it was just the two of us, Lots of music and shopping.  Fort Huachuca was great ,it is a small community with a great High School and close to shopping in Nogales, Mexico; not too many deployments and a good post hospital.  Fort Gordon, GA is 2 hours from Atlanta, lots of restaurants in town, very humid, elementary school on post is really good. Sadly Middle school is very scary and better consider private school instead. Fort Bliss too big, need lots of gas, town very crowded and shopping is expensive, the heat is incredible. Fort Polk is very lonely with an extra tiny town around, nothing to do. Fort Campbell, stay away from it and Fort Stuart those post are very high on deployments to Iraq. I've never been to Fort Carson but I heard is beautiful.  Hope I helped a bit. Remember no matter where you go, the most important thing is that you are together.
56745
Ft. Benning!! Home of the infantry! FOLLOW ME!\n\nAn all expense paid 2 month stay at the lovely Sand Hill resort!
178236
The army doesnt have bases, they have posts. The nearest post is in GA. You might have armory there for the National Guard. You have MacDill AFB and PatrickAFB and a AFB in th panhandle.
653679
walk in the park\n\ncool!
44120
Yes, I went to Parris Island for boot camp.I saw a program on T.V. about a year ago on marine corps bootcamp, and it was alot differant then when I was in. So all I can do is tell you my experiences from 1992(man, do I feel old!) It was broken down into three phases.About a month per phase. They key in on Knowlege(everything from marine corps history,and uniforms, to basic infantry weapons,and communications), and they also key in on physical ability,(in other words they push your limits).Although theres more to it then that.If its something that your going to do, dont doubt yourself. Dont go into it half hearted. Once you make up your mind that its what you want to do, Then do it. In my platoon, We started out with alot of people, by the time we graduated and became marines, there was no where near as many.When people ask me what it was like, the only thing that I could tell them is that It's something you have to experience yourself. No words can describe it.Good luck! "Chesty Puller"
566755
The same as you run for active duty.  Basic training for the Army (active, NG, and Reserve) is the same.  \n\nDaily Physical Training (PT) involves increasing body strength and physical endurance.  You will start by doing a PT test (APFT) and this will show your Drills where you stand.  Then your PT will be adjusted to bring you slowly up to standard.\n\nYou will, initially, run at a slow pace for 2 miles.  As the time progresses and your endurance increases, this will also increase to where you can run, SLOWLY, for 5 miles.  The 2 mile run will be run at a quicker pace.
627425
Dig it: I was at both.  Ft. Jackson for BCT, and Knox for AIT (Bradley Mechanic).  Between the two, I spend 6 months in AIT at Ft. Gordon, GA.  This was a while ago, during the Clinton Administration when the Army was experimenting with "Low Stress" basic training.  I can tell you this: when asked during our final inspection what, if anything, we would change about basic training, of the 60-odd men in my basic training platoon, all but one said they'd make it harder.  We were all disappointed with how easy it was.  \n\nAt Gordon, I met some guys who did what they called "Pro-Train" at Jackson.  Apparently it was the exact opposite of what we did; thirteen weeks, ridden hard and put away wet.  Gordon itself was a very relaxed post for training, but it had to be.  AIT could be anywhere from 8 months to a year and a half.  You can't ride someone like you would in basic for that long.  \n\nFt. Knox was a wake-up call.  My MOS was reclassified and I was reassigned there.  Toughest time I had in training.  We did PT twice a day, training most weekends, ran to and from school, and had an hour of personal time at night if we were lucky.  But when I came out in the best physical and mental shape of my life, I felt an unparalleled sense of pride that I did not feel after basic training.\n\nRanger6 has the right idea.  Trying to get off easy is only cheating yourself.  Enjoy Ft. Knox.  It will be one of the toughest times of your life, but you'll live through it.  And you'll be able to stand just a little taller than some.  Good luck.
170287
And train like SEALS train right down to the boots. Alot of BUDS PT takes place on the beach, and in an out of water.  Sand and water are inside the boots all the time and they will tear your feet up.  It would be better to experiance that now, instead of getting a surprize early in BUDS. Don't kill yourself, but the more you know and are mentally prepared for before you start, the better off you will be the whole way through the program.
804165
I'm gonna let you know something I learned during basic at Lackland. AFJROTC is crap. What they teach you is practically nothing to what you will learn in ROTC. When you get out of high school go for ROTC. My TI told us JR teachs you the wrong things and messes you up. I had a girl in my flight from JR and she got behind cuz she was stuck in JR ways
703022
Yes.  There is a hierarchy in place where some peers out rank others.  You are usually taught by retired military officers.  You get many after school programs such as Rifle teams or Raiders.  You are taught things like map reading, plotting coordinates, public speeking and becoming tomorrow's leader (and cannot forget the unique fitness programs)
618544
http://www.train.army.mil/
605540
US Air Force Basic Training is perhaps the easiest of all of the services. Just keep your nose clean, do what is asked and you will do fine. Physical Training is part of it, but you will have help along the way. They don't expect you to run two miles in 15 minutes, but they do have a standard to go by and to pass you must pass you physical fitness test. Just tell yourself you can do it and you will.\n Basic is a mind game, in that they are trying to get you out of thinking like a civilian and more like a soldier. It is not brainwashing! Basically just changing your thought process to follow orders and work under pressure.\n You will have harassment, but everybody does. If you feel you are being singled out, you can report it. Also the males are educated against harassment, but some of the few think of themselves as a ladies man.\n  If you do join and are lucky enough to pick you job, try for something in computers or maintenance. If you do it long enough in the service, you have the chance to become certified in the real world and can get a great paying job in the future. Just remember, keep your nose clean and an open mind and you will do great. Good Luck!
80154
I dont know if there are any Tenereife, but there are plenty of other places all over the country. If you are gonna do it for 1 week you might as well stay another 8 and complete Army Basic Training and serve your country proud. Trust you will be great shape when you get done. If you really want to get in shape join the Infantry.
675147
I was on Camp Foster down the road from there Jan 2004-5.  Us Marines were jelous of the Air Force base.  They had better on base houseing.  (real houses, not the apartment towers) You didn't have to clear the table at the chow hall, you had a better PX or BX what ever the AF calls it.  Plus you had Chilis.  The only non-fast food American chain around.  Lucky.  It was nice.
983421
no, you cannot get on base unless you have an ID or a temporary pass (meaning someone who has an ID signed for you to get on).  if you know someone in the military you could probably get on with a temporary pass (i did a number of times after 9/11 when i was just dating my husband and had no ID).  if they haven't seen the star of india, take them on that.  that was really interesting.  i'd also check and see if balboa park had a maritime museum (or if there is one in SD... i don't know if there is, sorry).  i know that balboa has an aviation one (it's kind of seperated from all the other museums so most people don't know it's there)... planes are pretty cool to young boys too, so that is hopefully a viable alternative to them.
1050415
Most JROTC units do the same type of physcial training that current recruits do at boot camp.  While the intensity isn't as high, the concepts are the same.  Most of the time, you are doing the events in the Army Physical Fitness Test (PFT): pushups, situps, and a 2 mile run.  So basically, in order to score well on this test, many units lots cardio workouts, like running in formation (while singing running cadences) and sprints.  They also focus a lot of time on ab workouts and upper body strength.  Hitting the pullup bars a couple times a week definitely help with your arm strength.  \n\nSometimes if it's available, units are able to go work out in the weight rooms of your gym.  If not, some units PT with their rifles.  That's what my unit did.  We did "bench presses", lunges, and other such exercises with the M-14, and let me tell you,  it is quite the workout.  \n\nPrepare yourself for LOTS of pushups, situps, and running.  This website has the physical fitness standards for the Army.  As a cadet in the JROTC program, you are expected to maintain the same level of physical fitness.