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For those of us left back at home, it can also be rough due to the lack of communication. It is pretty hard to see a loved one go through anything difficult but much harder when you are not able to console them.That does not mean you don’t have a chance to communicate at all but you have to work harder at it and make the most out of the few times you can.

Phone calls are rare. From my experience, I only got 3 during those weeks and for a very short time. They had no cell phones so making calls was a reward that had to be earned.

The best and only other way to communicate is through snail mail. Even though at times it can be withheld or delayed, they will receive the letters family and friends write. LETTERS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. Getting mail from home can give the motivation and encouragement our loved ones need at that time.

Things to include in letters are words of encouragement, loving things, normal every day things, games or anything else that can help them feel good, laugh or pass the time when bored.Crosswords and word searches are good. You can even make your own for them.

Packages aren’t generally accepted during basic training. Items such as candy, cookies, etc should be saved for after basic.

BE CAREFUL when sending pictures! Do not send anything you would be embarrassed for others to see. This mainly goes out to significant others. Letters and notes can be used to send sexy messages but pictures and material things should be avoided.

Sometimes articles and newspaper clippings are frowned upon so avoid putting those into letters. You can however write them out to keep them up to date on things.

Remember that they need much support. It’s no time to bring out petty things or start fights. Do your best to encourage each other and be good to each other.

For significant others, it is very hard to miss them during this time but remember that when you see each other again, that love will be stronger. It sounds like a cliche but it is true. If you can make it without much contact and seeing each other while staying true, then you can handle what else is to come.

If you have a hard time being apart keep busy! Keeping busy is heavily passed around by military spouses. It helps keep you distracted and keeps you from staying sad or upset for too long. And always remember to keep your head up. Be proud of your soldiers and let them know how proud you are. Not everyone can make the choice to join the military so be thankful and proud of the person they are.

Good luck to all of you!

Assumptions

This tutorial assumes that you have enlisted in the United States Army under standard recruitment and excludes Officer Commissioning of all kinds except the OCS Enlistment Option which applies to the National Guard.  Physical fitness preparations are always assumed, this addresses preparing to arrive.

The Bottom Line on Clothes

On the day you ship out, you will need the clothes that you are actually wearing.  Take one pair of undergarments in the unlikely event that you are not issued uniforms on the very first day you arrive.  You will not need your civilian clothes at any point; therefore do not bring additional socks, shirts, etc.  There is no liberty leave at any time during Basic Combat Training (BCT), and in the rare event of an exodus (A period of time usually over the winter holidays that you may be sent home on leave), you will wear your “Class A” Uniform and not civilian clothes.  Pack your few clothes in a small cloth bag, do not bring any luggage. (After graduation, you will fold the cloth bag and place it in the large bag that is issued to you.)  In Reception, you will take various tests and will carry your bag with you.  In actual BCT that occurs after reception, you will carry your bag with you along with issued gear.  This is why it is crucial that your civilian bag is not in your way.  If you bring a suitcase, you will regret it.  Most BCT Drill Instructors will not allow you to place your bag down on the ground unless you are in a formation.

Your Wallet and Personal Items

You will not need much cash.  Bring about $50 in small bills, one credit card, an ATM card if you have one, and one calling card for incidentals that may arise while in transit to the army post.  After you arrive at post, you will not have any need for the cash or credit card.  You will get a chance to use the calling card at some point.  Do not bring more than 1 or 2 pictures. Do not bring key chains, keys, jewelry, cigarettes {1}, or other tobacco {2}.  Bring a small writing pad, envelopes, a roll of stamps, and 2 ink pens.  Most BCT training installations only accept smart cards that are issued to you, and you will not have any opportunity to go non-military shopping until after graduation.  The cash you arrive on post with is the cash you will leave with.  Your military pay will be directly deposited into your bank account.  Your ATM card will only be used after graduation.  If you do not have an ATM card, you will get one when you open your account on post.

Toiletries

Bring travel sizes of the following items:

** Toothpaste

** Toothbrush

** Disposable razor (male)

** Shave cream (male)

** Antiperspirant deodorant

** Soap

** Mouthwash

** Brush

** Comb (female)

** Feminine hygiene (female)

** Legally prescribed medicine (bring documentation)

** One roll of toilet paper (trust me…)

Summary

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Everything you need will be issued to you.  Keep it simple by bringing only the bare essentials. Do not bring personal radio players, cell phones, or anything.   Use your supplies wisely because you are taken to the PX (Post Exchange) to resupply on limited scheduled intervals.  Toilet paper is either in the stall or most likely rationed to you, but it is usually not enough.

References

{1} United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), 2010.

{2} OCS Foundation, 2010.

Hopefully, your soldier will be able to send you the address soon so you can write back. Pay very close attention to the way it’s written and the information on there. This is no time for mistakes.

Chances are your significant other or your family member is having a very hard time and a rough introduction to the miltary so it is your job to provide support from back home and give them inspiration and encouragement.

Many places will have very strict rules so check with your soldier first. If you’re in doubt write a simple letter asking them what is allowed and not allowed. More than likely, boxes of cookies, candy or anything in that category will only get them in trouble so refrain from sending them! It may be tempting but the last thing you want if for your soldier to get smoked!

Pictures and letters filled with kind words is the best way to go. Send your favorite pictures or pictures that you know they will love. They are able to keep these and more than likely will be heavily treasured by your soldier. Although it is tempting to send naughty pictures, remember that drill sergeants can look at those letters as well as other soldiers. So keep that in mind when you want to send certain material. You never know whose hands it can land on!

Another idea can be to write out information about world events and things that interest your soldier. Some places may or may not allow magazine or newspaper pages so to stay on the safe side avoid sending them.

Another thing you can send to pass the time are crossword puzzles or word searches to keep them entertained. You can even personalize them and make them yourself.

The most important is just writing words of encouragement and words of support. It’ll be hard on you and your soldier to be apart for this long so don’t be afraid to say you miss them and love them. Try to remain as positive as possible. Remember they are going through  a hard time and they are in a big need for kind words. Tell them about the normal things in life and keep them as involved as possible in your life and don’t forget to answer any questions they may have written to you. Don’t be afraid to write to them even when you don’t hear back for a while. In some cases, their mail will be held back and they may not receive it. So imagine the joy when they realize they have 5 letters waiting for them.

If you have any other ideas that you’ve tried or want to try feel free to pass them on!

Image by US Army Africa via Flickr

 The process starts by contacting an Army recruiter and telling them that you are interested in knowing more information. The recruiter you contact will always be happy to schedule an in home or office appointment to discuss your goals, the pre-qualifications, enlistment options, Army benefits and any other questions and concerns you or your family may have. Recruiter stations are located in just about every town in the United States which makes it very convenient for those interested in joining.

If you are happy with the initial information the recruiter presented to you and the recruiter has determined that you would be a good candidate to go further with the process, you will then be scheduled at your convenience, to take an ASVAB test. The ASVAB test abbreviation stands for Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Test. Test results determine whether or not one qualifies for military service, and if so, what jobs they qualify for. You can find in depth information about the ASVAB test on Wikipedia. Locations for taking the ASVAB depends on where your geographical location is within the United States or abroad, but your recruiter will tell you where you will be taking it.

After successful completion of the ASVAB, and if you have obtained acceptable scores to enter the Army, you then will be scheduled to go to your most local MEPS to start a series steps to start processing. The acronym MEPS stands for The United States Military Entrances Processing Station and there are 65 of them located throughout the United States. At the MEPS you will be going through a series screening; to include, health screenings like vision, blood pressure, blood work, hearing, height and weight, urinalysis, breathalyzer and for woman a pregnancy test. You will also go through a moral/background exam to insure you do not have anything in your past that will disqualify you for service. After successful completion of all mentioned steps, and you qualify to go further or are deemed fit for duty, you will then be presented with available career training. Careers will be presented to you according to the scores you achieved on the ASVAB test. All careers presented will be explained to you to help making your decision easier. The Army has over 200 career training opportunities, from computer technician to animal care specialist, so it is very important that you ask for information on all occupations that you are interested in before going to the MEPS station to insure your experience and the decision you make is that much easier. After you have made your decision, you will also meet with a service counselor to negotiate and sign your service enlistment contracts and swear an entrance oath.

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After successful completion of all of the above stated prerequisites, it won’t be long until you you’re off to basic combat training or BCT. Basic Combat Training is a live in, seven days a week, 24 hour a day program designed to mould you into a soldier. It’s a step by step training that will teach you everything from A-Z to becoming a knowledgeable, disciplined and fit asset for your service to your country. The training is hard for most and it will test you physically and emotionally, but it does build your confidence and self esteem with everything you go through. One can expect getting yelled at by your drill instructor everyday (never take this personal, it’s all part of the training), get out of bed very early, go to bed very late, clean, clean, clean, march everyday with and with a rucksack on your back, learn facing movements (drill and ceremony) with and without your personal weapon, sing, yes sing cadence songs while marching and running, qualify with your personal assigned weapon, complete combat related task both individually and using the buddy system, do a lot of push up’s, do a lot running and lots, lots more. A word of advice before you go, if you are not the most fit person in the world or need to loose some weight before you go to BCT, contact your recruiter. He or she will be more than happy to give you a plan and help you work on improving your over all fitness and decrease weight before you set off to BCT. BCT is generally 8 to 10 weeks long and sometimes depending on the job specialty you’ve signed up for, it can last up to 15 weeks or more.

After graduation from BCT you will then proceed directly to Advanced Individual Training or AIT. This is where you will be in school learning the job you have chosen to do in the Army. This is also a 7 day a week, 24 hour a day, live in environment, but it is slightly more relaxed, just slightly however. You will be living in a barracks setting just like where you were living in BCT and everything you learned there will apply here, like cleanliness and orderly living. Your day will typically start before the sun comes up, doing physical fitness training or P.T. This is vital to your performance in AIT and will become a big part of your life while you serve. You will march with your class to go eat 3 times a day and you march to and from class each day. AIT classes vary in time needed to train you; it all depends on the technicality of the job skill you signed up for. You will know how long training will last and where you will be going to complete your training by your recruiter before you go to BCT.

Your decision to becoming a soldier in the United States Army is a valuable one. For many people it has broken chains of poverty that plague families and will make everyone willing to accept the challenge, a viable and marketable asset to society. The benefits are vast and great and in my opinion and others, the sense of accomplishment and being part of a team of warriors engaged, so other’s can live free is all worth going through.

This article is presented by me, Staff Sergeant William C. Barron, a retired Transportation Corps veteran of the United States Army. I would like to dedicate this article to those who make the  great choice to serve, to those still serving and most of all to those who have given their lives, who made the ultimate sacrifice past and present, so everyone can live in freedom.

I would like to close by presenting you with a quote form my retirement plaque by George L. Skypeck:

“I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing and reluctantly accepted the thoughts of eternal loneliness…should I fail. I have seen the face of terror: felt the stinging cold of fear: and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love. I have cried, pained, and hoped…but most of all, I have lived times others say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was…a soldier.”

Soldiers future, past and present! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service! Hooah!!!!

For most people, their first trip to MEPS is a two day process.  The first day will include taking your ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), the second day will include your full physical exam, and possibly swearing into DEP (Delayed Entry Program).  I’ll cover both days in this, since that’s how I did it.  All of the information in this is from my first-hand experience.  I got back home from MEPS yesterday (19 MAR 09).  Different MEPS do things differently, but overall the experience is the same.  The MEPS I went to was in New York.

Before you even leave for MEPS, you and your recruiter should have already went through any medical conditions, law violations, anything that could possibly DQ you from serving, or anything you may need medical forms for.  If not, it’s a good idea to give your recruiter a call and ask why you haven’t yet done this.  Your prescreen will be sent to MEPS.  If you have any conditions that could PDQ you, meaning no chance of a waiver, your processing will stop before you even get to MEPS.  If you’re blind, missing any limbs, that is where your processing will stop.  If you have any medical conditions, ask your recruiter if you should get any records from your hospital BEFORE going to MEPS.  If you don’t, you have a chance of being temporarily disqualified to join the military until you get those.  That will mean…. Another trip to MEPS for you!  Also, being honest on all medical forms you will out is VERY important.  You will fill out that same form about 3 times; one with your recruiter, one at the medical briefing at MEPS, and verbally in your exam with a doctor while at MEPS.  If your answers are different on any of those forms, you could be DQed.  Oh, and not all of the staff in MEPS are in the military.  The staff giving you your asvab, and your physical exam are civilians.  The uniformed personell in your liason ARE in the military, and in your branch of service.  This means…. “Yes, sir/ma’am.  No, sir/ma’am.” answers apply.  They don’t get mad if you don’t answer with sir/ma’am, but you should.

Your First Day at MEPS

This is where it all starts!  Be prepared to “hurry up and wait” for the next 2 days.  I went to my recruiter’s office at about 11AM, made sure all of my paperwork was filled out properly and in order, left the office by 12PM and I was on my way to the MEPS.  We arrived at MEPS in about an hour and a half.  The first thing was to check in at the command center, verify my social, and get my name tag (which you put on your chest, left side).  I then put my bags and coat into the “baggage room”.  Went downstairs to my liason and was instructed to wait until they called for all applicants waiting to take the CAT-ASVAB, then to go down the hall, sign in, and wait to take the test.  The test starts at about 2:30-3PM.  There was a TV in the waiting room, a bunch of other applicants, and that’s about it.  I watched ESPN for about 2 hours (a very boring, long 2 hours) and patiently waited for the call to take the ASVAB.  Apparently, they forgot to make the call, so I walked over there myself and fortunately I came at the right time.  Everyone was signing in and walking in the testing room.  The test consists of 10 sections ; General Science, Arithmetic Knowledge, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathemetics Knowledge, Mechanical Knowledge, Electronics Comprehension, Auto knowledge, Shop knowledge, and Assembling Objects.  I hope I got them all right…  You have 3 hours for the test.  Each section is timed, so work accurately, but keep watch on the time as well.  I got finished in an hour and a half.  I got my test results right after I was finished (some people don’t, make sure your recruiter gives you an envelope so you can get your scores right there).  I left the testing area and waited in the waiting room I was previously in.  About 2 hours later, they called for all applicants waiting to go to the hotel to come to the command desk on the 2nd floor.  I went upstairs, got my bags, and got on the bus. 

The hotel was very nice.  It will probably be the last time I’m ever in a Hilton hotel.  We got off the bus and walked into a big dining room with food set out buffet-style.  A woman went through all of the hotel rules (No drinking, you have to be in your room by 10PM, no one in your room besides you and your roommate, no parties, etc.) then instructed that after your name is called, come up to the desk and you get your hotel room.  We were allowed to pick our roommates, but I hadn’t really talked to any of the people there that much so I went up by myself.  Everyone went up to get food, then you have the people like me that have to make weight the next day eating salad.  All of the food looked really good.  The dining area stayed open until 9PM.  After I ate, I went up to my hotel room and got comfortable.  My roommate didn’t talk much, so we just basically watched TV for a while.  I would advice you to get as much sleep as you can.  The next day starts very early and ends late. 

Day 2

Wake up call was at 4:15AM.  You get dressed, get your things together, and go downstairs for breakfast.  You have to be on the bus by 5:20AM or you’ll have to find another way to MEPS!  Processing started at 6AM at MEPS.  We had to put our bags through one of those things at the airports to make sure we didn’t have any guns or questionable items, then walk through a metal detector.  Once again went to the command desk, got our name tags, and put our things in the baggage area.  We all waited in a little area until he called for us to line up.  Applicants for the Army were called first (ARMY active duty, reserve, and National Guard) to stand in a line and get their paperwork.  Then finally, everyone that was doing a full physical for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard was called up for their paperwork.  After recieving all my papers, I went down to the Air Force office and checked in with them.  I was instructed to go upstairs on the third floor and begin my processing.  The first thing I did was blood pressure.  I was a little nervous, so I had to do it about 3 times until I calmed down.  A lot of people had the same problem.  After that, I waited in a long line to get my paperwork stamped.  If you’re over a certain age, you have to fast for 12 hours before you get to MEPS since they do bloodwork.  Make sure to find out if you have to or not.  The third thing up was my hearing test.  If you’re a girl, you can wear one set of earrings through processing, but you have to take them off for your hearing test.  Glasses have to come off as well.  We waited and waited to start the test.  The hearing test was easy, but very boring.  It takes about 3 and a half minutes.  You sit on a stool, wait for the beeps, and click a button when you hear them.  Do not fall asleep while taking your hearing test!!  After, I waited in line for my vision test.  I was about 3 people away from taking it when we all went into a medical briefing room instead.  Here’s where you fill out a lot of crap.  This is the second time you’ll fill out the medical paper you’ve already done at your recruiter’s office.  An officer came in and went over fradulent enlistment, all of that stuff and then turned the briefing over to another man.  He will, again, go over fradulent enlistment and how to fill out your paperwork.  It’s not a good idea to go ahead of him since a lot of the things on the paperwork has to be filled out in a certain way.  A lot of people went and dated the papers before he explained how to and needed to do a lot of crossing out, initialing, and dating again.  The dates will be in this format; yyyymmdd.  For example, I went on March 19th, 2009, so my date looked like this: 20090319.  You listen to him talk, fill out your paperwork, and a sign stuff for about an hour.  The last part of the briefing is the breathlalyzer test.  Any trace of alcohol and your processing will be stopped.  After the briefing, I again waited in line to take my vision test.  When I got in the room, I took a color blindness test, then took another test where I had to tell the guy where the dots were crossing the steps, what number the arrow was pointing to, stuff like that.  It’s hard to explain, but it’s easy.  Depth Perception was next.  Most people fail this test, so don’t feel bad if you do.  There was 5 rows of 5 circles with an “A” next to it.  Then down a little bit, 5 more rows of 5 circles with a “B” next to it.  Same thing, all the way up to “F”.  In each row, you tell them which circle appears closest to you.  The first bunch is easy, but as you go on it gets way harder.  Your eyes start to get blurry and you can’t tell anymore.  If that happens, ask the person giving you the test if you can step back and let your eyes rest for a second.  Fortunately, I passed that.  I waited for the actual eye test.  You read the smallest line you can, all of that stuff… Just like going to get your eyes checked at the doctors.  Oh!  That reminds me.  In your medical briefing, it asks you if you have any eye problems not including wearing glasses or contacts.  If you have an astigmatism, you have to put yes to that question.  You get to explain all of your yes answers, so don’t think it will DQ you.  Be honest!  Alright, back to where I was… 

Medical Examination

After my vision test, I walked down a long hallway and made a right.  This is where you do your blood work and urine test.  If you’re a female, it’ll go quick.  I sat down and 2 seconds later got called in for blood work.  After I got my blood work (which by the way, expect to have a nice lookin’ bruise on your arm the day after.  Mine’s huge), I went into the “female examination room”.  If you don’t have to pee by now, start drinking water.  You’ll take your urine test when you walk in.  I personally didn’t have to go.  There was about 4 of us just drinking water for about an hour and had to wait until we really had to go.  This really does prolong the process, a lot.  While the other girls were doing their medical interviews, the 4 of us that hadn’t gave urine yet were drinking water waiting.  If you’re shy about anyone watching you go pee, you will have a problem.  They took us in, 2 applicants at a time (you get your own stall, but the door is open) and instructed us on how to pee.  You cannot sit down on the toilet seat.  Sorry for being…. detailed, but they’re gonna tell you all this anyway.  You have to squat, put the cup from behind you, and pee that way.  There’s someone watching you from a window the whole time.  Once you give the amount they need, you put the cup in front of you on the floor so they can see it, close the stall, and finish your business.  If you have your “time of the month” tell them BEFORE you give them your urine so they know.  It doesn’t matter, but they have to know beforehand so they don’t think there’s any unexplained bleeding.  The lady did a pregnancy test and a test for protein/sugar/drugs/whatever else they check for in your urine.  I walked back into the room with all of the females and did my height and weight.  If you’re over your weight, you’ll be taped.  If you don’t make the tape test (just suck in your stomach), you’ll be temporarily DQed and be issued a return date.  After I was finished, I did my medical interview.  The doctor asked the same questions you’ve been asked all day.  “Have you ever experimented with marijuana, any drugs, do you have asthma, any tattoos, blah blah.”  If you do have tattoos, you have to explain and show them to the doctor.  Tattoos are NOT a DQ unless they are not within the standards of your branch of service, lying about them IS a DQ.  He’ll check your heartbeat and pulse and that stuff.  I was given this thing paper-like gown thing to wear.  We lined up in 2 rows of 5 (yes, there was only 10 females there) and did the duck walk, walked on our knees, power-walked, all of that stuff.  If you have a problem doing the duck walk, or being able to stand up (not using your hands) from a kneeling position, you WILL have a problem during this part of your physical.  Practice doing both at home or at your hotel.  Not being able to do them is a DQ.  We were told to take off our undergarments, make sure the slit part of the gown was in front, and waited to see the doctor.  While in the room, the doctor just really looks at everything and anything.  Basically, he makes sure you’re a biological female.  No, nothing is “inserted” anywhere.  After everyone was finished with that, I got dressed and went in a room to do an ear popping test.  This test is only for those joining the Air Force,  so if you’re not, skip ahead.  Basically, he looked in my ears and made me pop them (hold your nose and try to breathe out of it), then I had to read a paragraph about someone’s grandfather.  This ended my physical exam.  I handed over my medical folder to the medical control desk and went back downstairs to my liason. 

Job Counseling, Fingerprints, and Swearing In

First, I sat and waited until a woman took me in the office and we started this weight lifting thing (again, only for the Air Force).  You have to lift a set amount of weight (they don’t tell you how much it is until after you do it) up to the line labelled “Air Force”.  The line is above your head, but if you’re on the very short side and can’t reach the line with your arms extended, you just lift it until your arms are all the way up.  It starts in a squatting position.  Use your legs for it, NOT your back.  You will hurt yourself if you don’t use your legs.  Not being able to lift a certain amount can DQ you from certain jobs (Security Forces, Fireman, etc.).  After that, I waited outside again until a SSgt called me in.  We went over personal information, made sure everything was correct, and chose my jobs.  You choose 4 jobs that you’re qualified for and number them in order of interest.  Finished with that, I went upstairs and waited to get my fingerprints done.  Before the fingerprints, I went in a little cublicle and told a man who gets my last paycheck if something happens to me, who picks up my remains if I die, things of that sort…  Fingerprinting took about 2 seconds and I left.  After fingerprinting, they called for the last swear in of the day.  I had to rush, so I ran downstairs to my liason and got my paper signed, then ran back upstairs to the control desk to give in my paperwork and swear in.  Taking the oath is by far the coolest part of the day.  National Guardsmen go first, then the rest of you take the oath (all branches together).  A man explained to us how to answer, how to stand at attention and at ease, all of that.  Swearing in is basically the last part of your day.  You’re officially in the military.  Congratulations!  After my oath, I went back downstairs to my liason and handed them my paperwork.  The SSgt then congratulated me and gave me my DEP ID card.  With your DEP ID, a photo ID, and your contracts, you can get onto any military base. 

You’re Done

At last!  Your 2 long days of processing have come to an end.  You’re now qualified and waiting for a job.  Congratulations!

Like I said before, all MEPS do things differently, but the experience it ultimately the same.  You may do the tests in a different order, but you do the same tests.  This is from a female’s end, going into the Air Force.  Thanks for reading and have fun at MEPS!

Before joining the army be sure to ask as many questions as possible. Getting to know what your getting yourself into in any aspect of life is crucial. Be sure to try and get the job that you want because if not then later on you might regret your decision. Make sure if there is a bonus then try and get it, request that you get it. Remember the recruiters are there for you. Another big thing is that they will tell you that once you sign the papers that your in the army and you cant get out, that is wrong. You can change your mind at any time before you leave for meps. You are not Government Property till you leave for active duty.

Army BCT

Army Basic Combat Training is the beginning level of the army. Here are the steps your going to take to becoming a united states soldier.

Step1: meps

meps is to insure that you can physically make it in the army. There is a physical, a lot of paper signing and a drug test. “Make sure your clean”

Step2: reception

Reception is getting you into their system so they know who you are and your financial payments and what not. It is long and boring but it is something that has to be done.

Step3: BCT

Week 1-3 is red phase. It is the hardest part physically you will have to go through. Remember the drill sergeants are not there to beat you up. They are there to help you so that when you get into the field you don’t get yourself killed. You will do knife training, beginners combative and land navigation which is fun.
Week 4-7, is white phase is more chill but strict because you will start using your m16 – m4 assault rifles. Lots of ranges and shooting. They will teach you how to shoot and why you shoot that way.
Week 8-9, is the fun part. Night fire- learning to work as a team at night and just blowing stuff up. Urban warfare, some but not all mos jobs will be able to use paint ball guns in this part of training. You will also do a FOB “forward operation base” you will spent a whole week in the field learning to protect your FOB. Grenades and also buddy movement. Then graduation.

Important Notes

Before going in know your general orders. Know your soldiers creed and be physically prepared.
APFT ” Army Physical Fitness Test” you will need to do 35 pushups, 48 sit-ups, and run the 2 mile under 16 min. Make sure you prepare yourself to do so.

Thank you I hope I could help you on your way to becoming a soldier. I respect your decision.
ArmyMedic HOOAH!!