If you have been in Basic Training...?

Question

Was it hell, or was it all right?
How did you prepare yourself for that challenge?
What was the best and worst part?

Much Appreciated... Future Veteran.

Army
Marines
Air Force
Navy
Coast Guard

Answer 1

Parris Island, S.C. late 50's. I loved every minute I was there.

Because I was over weight for the Corps I was set back two weeks to accommodate the weight requirements. (I lost 40 lbs in 3 weeks) extra PT, work details and diet. The food wasn't bad. You hear complaints about SOS but it was the stick to the ribs food you needed to get you thru the AM to lunch.

When I was finally assigned to a Basic Platoon for training I was also sent to practice football after my work day was over. I'm proud to say I played in the very first Boot Bowl at Parris Island. They don't do that anymore because the PC police bleeding hearts found that even volunteers can't be required to play football after their workday is completed. The footballers were given different rations. We had steak available in the mess hall for each meal!

All in all, I found Marine Corps Basic Training a blast because I took a true interest right away instead of asking "What have I gotten myself into?" We did lose 2-3 men out of 90 plus. The DIs were loud, noisy and threatening but never laid a hand on us since we were going thru shortly after the six recruits drowned while on night maneuvers.

Many good men became that way from the 12-13 weeks of intense, total immersion into discipline. The only answer to any order was "Aye Aye, Sir!"

Answer 2

No I've never been to basic training, in the Marine Corps it's called boot camp, ok yeah it's the same thing.
To prepare get yourself used to doing what your told, when your told and how your told, become a very, very good listener, and follow directions exactly as they are given. Also start getting up at 5AM, exercise. You want to be able to run 3-5 miles after about 25-30 minutes of exercising - push ups, set-ups, jumping jacks......

The best part is graduation, the worst part is the shock of not having control over you life. In basic training you are constantly busy, with minimal free time, and you are told what to do at all times, and you had better be doing just that.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Answer 3

Looking back now it really wasn't that bad it just seemed like hell at the time(1995 2/58 Inf Ft Benning, GA) I basically got all the sleep I could the month before. The worst part getting up that damn early. Oh yeah the other bad part in Infantry OSUT you have a hard time telling when basic ends and AIT begins, because it's the same routine.

Answer 4

Be sure to take your sense of humor.
OK. You'll learn the definition of hurry up and wait. You'll learn there are three ways of doing something, the right way, the wrong way, the Army way.
There are two sizes of clothing, you'll grow into it, or, you'';ll lose weight.

Do you like astronomy? You'll love getting up at 5AM to watch the sun come up.
New adventures in dining. SOS at 6AM. Yummmmm!

Your past doesn't matter.I've seen Harvard grads and HS drop outs become great friends. WORK together. if one screws up, all will pay.
You'll feel you can't take a leak without screwing it up.,
Then shortly, you'll start to feel you're
the meanest, bestest, soldier in the whole world.

The more you get into it, the easier it is.

Then, one morning, you'll put on dress uniform and fall in for graduation ceremonies. And you'll feel so proud of yourself , more than ever before. I promise you it will happen. You will then be a member of a very exclusive club.

I salute you.
.

Answer 5

Basic training is what you make out of it. It's hard but you learn a lot. Think about your decision to join the Military. Look at how our Government treats the Veterans.

Answer 6

Not as bad as I feared, not as good as I hoped. The only time we got near a weapon was to fire a couple of rounds from a .45 chambered for .22 (I later qualified on a real .45 & got my pistol marksman ribbon) The marching & inspections got old quick, but shipboard firefighting was pretty wild. The amazing thing though, was seeing a bunch of different people, from all over the country (& some U.S. territories) learn to work together as one unit. I sometimes think I should've gone Air Force, but all in all I wouldn't trade my military career for anything.

Answer 7

In 1993 I was 18 and at Ft. Jackson SC. 3rd BN 28th INF. Durring the first couple weeks I was thinking "what the heck did I get myself into", but looking back I would not trade that life long learning experience for anything. When you get there they break you down, its tough, and then build you back up to be a soldier and ready to defend our Great Country. In the end I guarentee you wont regret it. tomb62b

Answer 8

I went thru Navy BootCamp, and if anything it was more mentally challenging than physically. But as i was a hospital corpsman, once i was finished with that, less than a year later i got to basically do it all over again with the Marine Corps, which was less mentally challenging, and physically brutal.
I would'nt wanna do it again, but I remember it fondly.

Answer 9

alpha company 2 54 infantry fort benning goergia circa 1997 basic was a blast looking back on it at the time though it was tough very mentally and physically challenging but i am glad i joined and did what i did good luck to you

Answer 10

Air force basic-not gonna kill you. If you exercise regularly, you're fine. Met great people, had a ball. Ok, the mind games got old, but they can't physically harm you, so....