How long is Boot Camp? and How can i support my boyfriend while he's at Ft. Jackson?

Question

My boyfriend joined the National Guard two days ago, he's been in drills all weekend, and he's elated. I'm nervous because it all seems to be happening so fast. I know nothing about the military and have spent most of my life listening to people who are totally against it. I'm proud of him for joining but there is a lot i don't understand . how long is boot camp? what is it like? will i be able to talk to him? He wants to go to boot camp this may so he can enroll in ROTC this fall, is that possible? when he's out of boot camp what will happen? what is AIT (he's said that a lot lately)? when he's out of colege will they station him somewhere else? what does active duty really mean? i'm proud of him but i'm so afraid to sound ignorant that i'm not talking much and i think he might have the assumption that i'm not interested which is the exact opposite. could someone please help me?

Answer 1

how long is boot camp? Boot camp is technically 10 weeks, 1 week of paperwork, 9 weeks of training.
what is it like? - depends on location, his current physical fitness, and the attitudes of his drill sergeants. If he is moderately physically fit, and has a decent head on him, he will be just fine.

will i be able to talk to him? The first week of his bootcamp he will be doing paperwork, getting shots, learning correct military bearing, etc. Don't expect to hear from him. The next three weeks are red phase, where the drill sergeants "break you down, and build you up" This phase is characterized by "total control". Don't expect to hear from him. He will probably be authorized a 5 minute phone call to give you his address. Thats about it. After these three weeks, he'll either get to speak with you every weekend, or less. This really depends on his leadership, how well his platoon is squared away (or, how less they piss the drill sergeant off).

After this, he'll attend AIT (advanced individual training). He may be split-op, which means he will be going to basic this summer, and ait next summer. Or he may be doing it all this summer. Ask him. AIT varies greatly in length. AIT is the job that each soldier must have. For example, Infantry is 5 weeks of AIT, Medic is 26 weeks of AIT. So if he went infantry, 14 weeks including bootcamp, if he went medic, 35 weeks including bootcamp. Ask him what job he picked, and how long he'll be gone, simple.

He wants to go to boot camp this may so he can enroll in ROTC this fall, is that possible? - yes. However, ROTC cadets are still considered deployable until after their first year. They must sign a contract to be considered non-deployable. With the current status of the war, expect him to be deployed, just the way it goes.

when he's out of boot camp what will happen? He will come home, get a pretty sweet bonus (5 to 20 grand), his college will be paid for, and he'll be living where he pleases. His only obligation to the military is the "one weekend a month, 2 weeks in summer". It really isn't bad.

when he's out of colege will they station him somewhere else? No, he will live where he wants. However, his unit could be up to 300 miles away, in which case he'll have to drive that distance one weekend a month, 2 weeks in the summer.

what does active duty really mean? Full-time soldier, gets stationed away from home, etc. The opposite of your boyfriend.

This is really a minor step. Stick with him through this. Don't send him any food in basic, or anything unless he asks. Send him a letter every day. Everyday. The only thing you should send him, is stamps, paper, envelopes, and money. Send him cash in small increments (like a $20 bill). Don't send too much, he won't need it.

The hardest thing about this is to remain in contact and to be faithful to him. Good luck.

By the way, I enlisted on March 9th, 2006. I got out of basic/ait as an infantryman on July 14th, 2006. I leave for Iraq on June 23rd, 2007. Just understand the urgency and reality of what he's chosen. You may be asked to wait longer than 4 months. Good luck.

Answer 2

Army basic is 8 1/2 weeks long, it's a combination of mental and physical, they start by breaking you down and then build you back up, at least in theory.

You may be able to talk to him and you may not, just depends on his unit and what his drill instructors will allow.

He will be able to enroll in ROTC, and im guessing his AIT will be next summer. AIT is Advanced individual training. Its attended after Basic. Basic Training teaches people how to be soldiers, AIT teaches soldiers how to do their respective jobs.

If he attends ROTC while in college, and gets his commision as a lieutenant, he has the choice of going active duty, reserves or staying in the National Guard.

Active duty is the term for regular soldiers. As in anyone who is a soldier 24/7 not someone who serves one weekend a month 2 weeks a year i.e. National Guard/Reserves.

If you have any other questions feel free to email me.


Also if you are worried about him getting deployed, he has to finish all of his training first, and if he is going to do ROTC, he can maintain his Nat'l Guard status and get assigned to his ROTC unit, which means he cant deploy or go anywhere until at least after college. I recommend not sending anything other than letters and possibly the odd phone card to him while he's in basic. Anything else has the potential to get him in hot water with his Drill Instructors. Anything he needs will either be provided, or he will have the chance to buy it. And for god-sake do not send any kind of food while he is in basic.

Answer 3

I grew up in a military family and you need to realize that your boyfriend with the war in Iraq can end up fighting in a foreign country as soon as he leaves boot camp. When he leaves boot camp he may have the choice of several places to be stationed, but in this time of war I doubt it. Don't count on his going to college for a while!

What can you do in the meantime. Send him letters. Send him a pre-paid long distance card that he can use anywhere. You will not be able to call him for a while, but he can call you and the pre-paid card is better than calling collect.

Send him small bottles of toiletries, toothbrushes, combs, etc., every month until he is out of boot camp. Send him goodies to eat that do not need to be refrigerated and he can share with his new comrades in arms.

I believe AIT is advanced internet/information technologies.

You are not ignorant, BTW. You are learning to talk his talk as he will soon be walking the walk. Ask questions, showing interest in his new career. Praise him for the little as well as the big things. And every chance you get let him know you love him and are proud of his choice to serve his country.

Answer 4

-bootcamp is 9 weeks followed by A.I.T. (advanced indvidual training) in which he will go to school for a few additional months depending on which job he has picked.
-Since he is going to Ft. Jackson, it will be easier than other places being that it is co-ed, also the at the same time Basic Training has gotten a lot easier these last few years.
-He probably won't be able to call as much in the beginning but should be able to keep in touch with letters.
-if he is going to become an officer he will continue to go to school and finish off whatever degree he is going for. depending on his degree he might have a choice in what field he goes to otherwise it is at the hands of the army.
-if anything it will be:
Bootcamp
A.I.T
National Guard Unit (weekend warrior and can either work or school)

Answer 5

properly the 1st element you need to comprehend is that it truly is an army boot camp no longer a countrywide safeguard boot camp. in simple terms ensure you could a minimum of run 3 miles and could do one hundred push up and one hundred sit down up. additionally get a returned p.c.. and placed approximately 40 lbs in it and circulate out carry out a little working with it and mountain climbing with it.

Answer 6

Depending on his MOS anywhere from 8 to 13 weeks. Two ways to support is send him letters and e-mails, make sure you have set times where he can call you and have way through basic is Family Day. Get with his family and go to Jackson and you can see him.

Answer 7

you need to talk to him when you can...just tell him you are proud of him..and getting answers from some people on here is a good start...but look up the websites....National Guard website would be a good start...and THEN you'll be able to relate to him a bit better....good luck