Army Basic Training - How to Prepare and Succeed

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You'll spend the best nine weeks of your life learning what it means to be a soldier in the US Army. And when it's over, you'll discover some amazing things. Your mind will be sharper, your body will be lean and hard, and you'll be more confident than you've ever been before.

You'll be asked to do a lot during Army Basic. But you'll never be asked to do anything you can't do. If you work hard and listen to your instructors, you shouldn't have a problem. Remember, literally millions of soldiers have come before you and many of them didn't think they could get through Basic. The vast majority of them did. And chances are, so will you.

Army Basic Training is demanding. Prepare yourself for Boot Camp, mentally and physically. Set yourself up for success - excel at your new military career!

Not only will you learn the basics of how to look and act like a soldier, you will slowly but surely become a soldier. You will become physically fit, self-confident and willing and able to tackle anything that comes your way! You will become intimately familiar with your assigned M16A2 rifle and everything it does, as well as fire a machine gun, a grenade launcher and a host of other weapons in the US Army arsenal. You will learn to become quick on your feet by participating in hand to hand combat and a bayonet assault course. You will learn how to be quick mentally and overcome your fear by tackling challenging obstacles, some over 40 feet high! You will gain confidence in your equipment by entering the gas chamber. Mentally, your brain will be challenged every day with new skills and tasks, inducting you into "the Army of one". Lastly, you'll make lifelong friends who can share in the trials and tribulations of army basic training and join the life-long club of being a basic training graduate...certainly something to be proud of!

Are you motivated? Learn about Army Special Forces.
Got What it takes? Check out the Special Forces Qualification Course

Army Boot Camp Training

The mission of the Training Brigade is to conduct Basic Combat Training to Training and Doctrine Command standards for initial entry training Army soldiers who are then prepared for advanced individual training. This is done by training the soldiers in many basic combat skills. These skills include basic rifle marksmanship, hand grenade qualification, physical training, training in a field environment, and a variety of common task skills.

The Training Brigade primarily trains combat service support military occupational specialties. Some of these are medical, military intelligence, communications, transportation and supply specialties.

Character is the foundation for all you will do as a soldier and all you can become. Throughout your training, you'll learn the Seven Army Values:

Loyalty

Duty

Respect

Selfless Service

Honor

Integrity

Personal Courage

These values form the basis of your soldier character and they sustain a soldier in times of both peace and conflict. You'll study Army ethics, standards of conduct, human awareness, race relations, and prevention of sexual harassment.

While at Army Basic Training, trainees receive nine weeks of Army Training where they learn to become soldiers. This training is divided into three phases.

Phase I: "Patriot Phase"

Orients the trainees and teaches them soldierization skills, including the Army Core Values, military customs and courtesies, along with drill and ceremony.

Phase II: "Gunfighter Phase"

Introduces the new soldiers to weapons training. It is during this phase that the trainees learn to fire and qualify with their M-16 rifles. They also learn about the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon), the AT4 anti-tank weapon and the M203 grenade launcher. It is also during this phase that the trainees learn hand grenade safety and qualification. Learn more about Special Operations Weapons.

Phase III: "Warrior Phase"

Is when the trainees learn more individual skills.

This training is aimed at preparing the trainees for success when they reach their Advanced Individual Training (AIT) units, followed by their permanent party units.

To graduate from Basic Combat Training, soldiers must complete all training events during the nine week cycle. Some examples are:

Qualify with their M16 rifle
Pass their Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
Qualify with hand grenades
Pass the End Of Cycle Test (EOCT)

Your training culminates in a stressful, high tempo exercise - Victory Forge.

Interested in Army Ranger School? Check out our Army Ranger School Section

Want to jump out of an airplane? Take the challenge at Airborne School.

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Army Combat Gear
ACU Gear	Oakley Combat Boots	Under Armour Tactical

"In no other profession are the penalties for employing untrained personnel so appalling or so irrevocable as in the military" -- General Douglas MacArthur

Army basic is designed to help you learn about all the rules and regulations that go along with life in the Army. After the nine weeks of rigorous mental and physical training, Army recruits have learned the skills and gained the knowledge that they will need to know for the rest of their careers in the Army. Army basic is held for 9 weeks in various locations, Ft. Benning, Ft. Knox, Ft. Sill, Ft. Jackson, and Ft. Leonard Wood.

The installations that train the most soldiers are Ft. Benning, Ft. Leonard Wood, and Ft. Jackson. Ft. Benning houses US Army Infantry OSUT. That is the only "basic training" that exists there and it's 14 weeks long. The other two posts conduct basic training for combat support and combat service support MOS's.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook
This book will prepare a recruit, mentally and physically, for basic training in the U.S. Army. It offers practical and unique solutions to challenges encountered by new recruits. Inside you'll find an 8-week fitness program specifically designed to improve your fitness test scores, study guides, an instructional "How to..." chapter, a list of what to bring (and not to bring) to basic training, tips for success, and much more.

For those entering the Army don't miss Sgt. Michael Volkin's The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, And Tactics For Surviving Boot Camp: it covers the 'new world' of the military - new to novices entering the forces, that is - and covers everything from exercises and acronyms to what to take along to basic training. With The Ultimate Basic Training Handbook in hand, you'll know everything possible about the gas chamber, locker inspections, meals, schedules and more.

This book pretty much tells you everything you need to know to prepare for Basic Training. There are a couple other books out there but they don't offer a fitness program like this one. The fitness program really whips you into shape too. Also, the book has a helpful packing list which includes EVERYTHING you need to bring to basic training, down to the last pair of socks. I highly recommend this book for anyone entering any branch of the military.

This is a good resource for information about basic training. Like the author, prior to finding this book, I searched everywhere for information. And, like him, I found a few blogs where people recorded what they could remember of their personal experiences, but that was about it. This is the first example I have found of a source that has input from many people, gathered over a serious amount of time. After reading it, I definitely learned things I did not know after months of searching, and I found answers to some specific questions I had. This was well worth the money. You will not regret purchasing it.

Career Progression Guide for Soldiers
Fundamental guide for a successful Army career Proven techniques for advancing to and through the NCO ranks Ways to overcome promotion obstacles An indispensable reference for Army soldiers wanting to advance through the ranks, this guide will aid them at every step of their professional development and career progression. Packed with practical information, it covers the enlisted promotion system, the role of education, progression to the NCO ranks, demonstrated techniques for promotion and college, and special topics, such as addressing a qualitative management program board decision. Although written primarily for soldiers, Career Progression Guide will also assist commanders and senior leaders wanting to implement sound promotion and professional development policies. Tables explaining promotion points and college credits, along with sample letters for soldiers wanting to take the initiative, are provided throughout.

Enlisted Soldier's Guide
Essential information on Army service for the first term soldier Guide to army service, advancement, pay, benefits, training, and career options New 16-page color insert on medals and badges This popular guide provides all the information a soldier needs for a successful and rewarding period of Army service. Included are Army policies and guidance on the "Army way", the enlisted training system, contemporary issues, individual professional development, assignments, promotion, uniforms, and personal affairs.

Army Basic Training - Be Smart, be Ready
This is the book to have if you are planning on joining the Army. It is also a must for family members of recruits as well. The book is a great guide, explaining every step of the basic training process. It's easy to read, entertaining and filled with useful tips. My son is currently in Basic Training and his letters report he is really enjoying himself! He poured over the book in the months before he left. The information contained in this book gave him a heads up over other recruits. The added self confidence gained by knowing what to expect is crucial for success in Boot Camp.

Life in Army Basic Training (On Duty)
This book displays an accurate description of Basic combat training in the United States army. It has been recommended to many applicants prior to signing contract in order for them to get a good picture of what their actually getting into. Life in Army Basic Training outlines the 7 core army values and describes the 10 weeks of mental and physical structure that all applicants must endure prior to the active service of their country. I would recommend this book to any one thinking about joining the army or having an interest in basic training.

WEEK 00: RECEPTION
This is where your civilian life becomes part of the Army world—from bidding farewell to family to getting your Army haircut to making sure you're physically fit.

WEEK 01: FALL IN
Once Reception Week completes, it's now time to understand new rules, regulations and processes involved in being in the Army. Classroom instruction begins.

WEEK 02: DIRECTION
Leaving the classroom for the field, it's time to test your physical and mental endurance, and also get trained in First Aid and map reading.

WEEK 03: ENDURANCE
One thing you'll realize in Week 03 is to believe in the mantra: mind over matter. Physical and mental challenges build as you start simulated combat drills.

WEEK 04: MARKSMANSHIP
Learning to shoot a rifle is more than pulling the trigger. Marksmanship courses teach new recruits not only the proper way to hold a weapon, but also how to breathe and stand while firing are equally important.

WEEK 05: TRIALS
This is where the previous weeks' work pays off: tests in endurance and marksmanship await all recruits.

WEEK 06: CAMARADERIE
Each recruit is only as strong as his platoon. During Week 06, bonds are tested and trust exercises implemented.

WEEK 07: CONFIDENCE
Hand grenade training; live fire exercises; foot marching; and overall physical fitness are tested in the Confidence Course.

WEEK 08: VICTORY FORGE
It's time to put everything you've learned up to this point to the real test: a three-day field retreat to Victory Forge.

WEEK 09: GRADUATION
All your hard work has led you to this day. Family and friends eagerly await to see you complete your Basic Training course.

Army Physical Fitness

You need to report to basic training in the best physical condition possible. To ensure that you are, start a physical training (PT) program at least two or three months before reporting to Fort Leonard Wood. Whatever you do, don't charge into a PT program with your eyes closed. Make sure you do not try to push yourself too far, too fast. This page and its related links are a good starting point for your PT program. Before you start a PT program, see if your recruiter will give you this quick test. Do as many pushup and sit-up that you can in two minutes. Divide the total number by three. You will use these amounts for your muscular strength and endurance (MSE) days. Time yourself over a 2 mile course. Divide this time by eight, and subtract four seconds this gives your 1/4 mile run time. For your rest period (walking), double your work time. These times you will use on your cardio respiratory (CR) days by going to a track and running 1 fast lap followed by 1 slow lap. Every other day just go out for a nice slow jog for an extended distance. You will use these as starting points in your PT program. Train now and get fit - check out the Army Special Forces Workout to prepare you for basic training.

Push-up and Sit-up Improvement

Your MSE program should be done every other day. A good rule of thumb is Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On your MSE days you can include a short slow run as part of your warm-up exercise, just make sure that your main effort is on MSE. You can set up any order to doing your exercises, just do not start off to fast. A good starting point is to use the number you came up with when you divided your test score as the number of repetitions for one set. Do three sets of both the push-ups and sit-ups with a 30 second to one minute break between sets. After one week you should add three to four reps to each set. Continue working this way until you have added 20 reps to each set. Once you have added 20 reps, take the test over and start over with your new amounts. More techniques to improve push ups.

Running

Your Cardio Respiratory program should be run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Use the times from your two mile run for your sprint day program (Thursday). On sprint days, you run 1/4 mile in the time you calculated from your two mile run, then you walk 1/4 mile in your rest period time. Start out doing four sets of sprints and work your way up to doing eight sets. Once you are able to do eight sets in your 1/4 mile time, retest yourself over the same two mile course. Start over again using the new time. On your other two run days you need to run between one and three miles at the same pace that your ran your two mile test. As you improve you'll be able to increase your distance and lessen the time.

-information excerpt from 3D Basic Combat Training Bde & US ARMY websites