For those who went through Basic Military Training.?
914558
Yeah I thought it would have been a good idea. there is no need to have Hulks on the battlefield or on a aircraft carrier, but with mild weight lifting program coupled with standard military cardio and calstenics, I think all of us "boot's" would have been alot more physically fit. Plus the crap that they serve us at mess was not the healthiest things in the world.Shit I wasnt complaining though.
305559
Here is information on US Army basic training.  There is no seperate basic training for members of the National Guard - everybody gets the same training.\n\nThe Air Force does this also.
146613
I was in the USAF and can tell you that while you are at Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, you will only get to talk to your parents/siblings/friends on the phone about 2-3 times total. Every minute of every day you will be told what to do and how to do it. USAF Basic Military Training School is 6 weeks. How long your Technical school lasts will depend on your job.\n \nHowever, you can get mail everyday from anyone and have the time to read it. You don't realize how important this is until you are there. Encourage friends and family to write you something, anything, once a day and put it in the mailbox. \n\n  DO NOT have them send you a postcard, unless you want it read outloud to everyone in your Flight. \n\nTechnical School is vastly different than Basic Training, its much more relaxed. I don't know if they use the "Phase" system anymore, but even if they do, you will still have some time every day to yourself, and now you will have most of the weekend to yourself, too, so you can just about talk to whoever you want to back home whenever you want to.\n\nWhen do you leave for BMTS? I hope for your sake that your job is gaurenteed. \n\nIt's been over 10 years since I went through BMTS, but I wouldn't think that too much has changed. E-mail me with anymore questions that you may have at:\n\nFoam_breather@yahoo.com
292678
Basic training before you go to Vietnam and on the job training while there.
353768
As a US Army Ranger, I never once thought of getting out of the service, until I reach mandatory retirement at 60 years of age. Simply for the fact that I am not granted the opportunity to get to do the things that Rangers do. Like blow stuff up, go off to far off lands. Meet people I don't know and learn a new skill for the use of my job. Sit for days, motionless to watch certain activity. And don't forget to play with all the new and neat toys the US Army has. You can sign up for a 4 year hitch, but if you plan to get out, you shouldn't join the Rangers, you have your thought process to believe that your time in the US Army is only temporary. Choose the Air Force or Navy and get a job with technology. \n  I have seen a lot in 18 years. I joined when I was 17, I begged my mom for a week to sign for me. I went thru Ranger School at 17, in great shape. My recruiter gave me hints on what to expect. I trained for four hours a day on running, push ups, and sit-ups. That is the key to success, Physical Fitness. That is why most guys fail they are not ready to put up with the physical part of it. Not to mention the long sleepless nights. \n The Darby Queen gets most of them. It is tough. I made it through Ranger School the first time. Out of the 173 guys that started with me. Only 26 made it out with the coveted Ranger Tab. Think about it.
487591
I went through Ranger training 39 years ago after I graduated from Airborne training. It was indeed rough and yes, I made it through the first time. I remember that I would always hold sleep very precious after that! You are taught map reading, land navigation (both day and night), combative techniques like pugil stick training, hand-to-hand combat and bayonet training, airborne and airmobile techniques of operation, small unit patrolling techniques, rope and knot tying, rock climbing (big damn rocks on Mt Yonah!), rappelling, ambush techniques and more patrolling techniques, then we boarded a UH-1 Bus and went to Flordia for more patrolling techniques,small boat ops, stream and swamp navigation, etc. All of this training took place beginning at Ft. Benning, GA, at Camp Rogers and Camp Darby, to Camp Merrill, near Dahlonega, GA, to Camp Rudder, Auxillery Field #7, and then back to Darby. To me it was the most intensive 9 weeks I ever spent in the Army. I don't know if it is all still the same or not. Camp Rudder was referred to as Camp Mother-Rudder and Hurley Hill as Hurl(i.e. throw-up)Hill. You do one hell of a lot of P.T., running and lots of road marches. There is lack of sleep, hunger, exhaustion, stress, and any misery that the Ranger staff and Mother Nature can throw at you. But it's all worth it when you get that Black and Gold Tab (i.e. we called it the "Bumble-Bee") that says "Ranger". To the rest of the military that little arched tab says it all. Be proud of your son for making it through the TOUGHEST course that the Army has to offer and tell him that I said, "Sua Sponte".
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"
102418
Most men my age have served in the military.  In my opinion, over all it is a good experience.  Your life doesn’t have to seem as if it is on hold.  In addition to the military experience, it is an opportunity to look into other things.  Your training is one such experience, but as a member of the military there is one thing that all soldiers have in common, time.  Most military organizations have access to libraries and similar services.  Use them and you may develop a new path in life.  Six months is a very short time to conclude that you like or don’t like the military You a barely through your training period.  For myself, if I hadn’t been injured, I won’t have made the military a career.  Even so, it was one of the better life changing experiences of my life.
1052868
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
756193
from my experience  about 95% made it through, from my platoon.   Not quite sure on overall numbers though.....a big part of it is that you have to meet certain physical requirements before going in
1050803
While in San Antonio on an Army Field Training Exercise,I got chased by MP's (military police) while attempting to sabotage a unit's military communications tent...my buddy and I did NOT get caught...guess those good ol' basic training survival skills came in pretty handy.
438496
I joined the AF right after the start of Desert Storm. I din't join because of the war that's just when I went in and I loved it. Spent 7 yrs in before I was diagnoised with type 1 diabetes. I think it's a great chance for one to grow without just being dumped on your own right after high school. MOST AF people are behind the scenes We didn't go on on the front lines. Not to mention the AF treats their people really well. IF you do join, just remember boot camp is a mind game, the real AF is not like what you will endure in Boot camp. I say DO IT!!
775789
It has changed greatly since my days in the Air Force, But I spent my first year after Tech school at a place called Murphy Dome AFS Alaska \n(a radar/BMEWS site). And I simply put in an eight hour day (five days a week) behind the control board or staring at a radar scope. \nFrom there I volunteered for the 4400th CCTS where I was trained as a combat controller.(ETAC) Life changed a bunch from sleeping in a nice comfy private room to being imbeded in a Special Forces unit (bluesuiter)  in the jungles of Vietnam.
559442
I had the unique experience of having gone through both. I was in the Texas National Guard when I was in college, and had to go through their basic training camp. I then decided after I left Baylor to go on active duty and wanted to follow family tradition and become a Marine, so I joined the Corps and then had to go through the 13 week MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot). I was 20 when I did this. No question, the MCRD was much more demanding in every way. The physical conditioning was longer and harder, the mental demands as far as intensity were tougher. Even qualifying with a rifle was harder (500 meters vs. 300 with the Army) The drill instructors are hard, demanding, and in your face every second. During the term of your training, you will get very little sleep and just enough chow to keep you going. You will have to learn to speak a new language. It gets better as time goes along, but it all serves a purpose. But hell, they gotta take civilians and turn them into Marines. It's got to be that way. However, when I made it through, I was a Marine, and it is without a doubt one of the proudest accomplishments of my lifetime. I'm not saying that basic training at Ft. Knox was easy, but it was much less difficult than USMC basic training at MCRD San Diego. The Corps has set a higher standard if you want to become a Marine. It all depends on the commitment you have to serve, and the expectations and discipline you are willing to impose on yourself. Good luck, and Semper Fi !
526743
It is an interesting experience. My husband and I have been together for only 3 years and we are on our second deployment. He is currently serving in Iraq. Be proud because your husband is doing something truly great. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk.
656554
I am a sergeant (E-5) in the Army. I have been in almost 4 years now.  Germany, Iraq, Korea...around the world and back again.  I have done everything I wanted...getting out in a coupla months. \n\nAnyway, the military is not like civilian employment.  Parts of it are indeed tough, physically and mentally.  I went through a 16-week basic training program to become a combat tanker.  The combat people go through one long program instead of BCT and AIT.  \n\nI spent 14 months in Iraq, from May 2003 to July 2004.  Looking back, that was my toughest experience in the Army.  A year in Korea was pretty bad sometimes too, but not getting shot at or anything like that. Just a lot of BS rules and dumb stuff over there.  Now Germany, THAT's the place to go.  Nothing but good times and good memories livin' it up in Europe.  \n\nOverall, joining the Army was the best decision I have ever made.  I did many things that I otherwise never would have done.  This fall I will start college with the GI Bill and also saved up a heavy load of cash in the Army.
698428
I'd say that there is only one thing that always should be thought of when going thru Basic Training that is the worst.  Your going to get home sick. Once you lick that it's a breeze getting through your training. There will be things you do that you'll wonder if it is worth doing but if you maintain a possitive attitude and realize that everything you do is a necessary part of your training you shouldn't have any problems. Some are going to tell you their personal feelings of what they don't like while others are going to tell you things they themselves really don't like that more then likely they never did in the first place. There's no walk through for Basic Training, you just do it and there's a rainbow on the other side once it's completed. My best wishes and "Good Luck" to you.