What is it like? What was the hardest thing about it?
2007-07-19 15:33:31 · 11 answers · asked by Krista 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Well, I wasn't going to answer this, but you haven't received a single helpful answer yet, so I will.
I went through BCT from October - December 2004 at Ft. Jackson, SC and I loved it.
Hard parts: being told what to do most of the time, getting enough sleep, learning to eat what is offered, no matter how much you hate it, walking miles everyday, learning to put your life in the hands of others... mostly the mental things.
Good Parts: Learning how strong you can actually be, doing things you KNEW you could never do, being able to say ' I DID IT!!' putting on a uniform is an amazing feeling of pride.
On a more personal note, I loved NIC @ NIGHT, the night infiltration course where you low crawl in sand under barb wire while live bullets are going over your head and explosions all around while wearing about 80 pounds of protective armor... it was terrible while I was doing it, but as soon as I was finished the sense of pride and accomplishment was overwhelming.
Oh, and while I am in the Army, I am not for war... so back off people!
2007-07-19 17:27:35 · answer #1 · answered by Amber S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The whole idea is to unscrew your head and remove all those arrogant thoughts of being an individual. You have joined a team with a serious task.
You will learn to take orders, you will learn to take a step when you think you can't, you will get by on less sleep, you will learn that you can do more than you thought.
Basic training will weed out the very few that cannot handle the stress.
Full Metal Jacket did a very good job of showing the "in your face" part and also the mentor part when Joker is assigned to help Gomer. A Team is made not born.
The hardest part is the decision to subject yourself to a life altering path.
SSG US Army 73-82
2007-07-19 23:41:41 · answer #2 · answered by Stand-up philosopher. It's good to be the King 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went through basic training back in 1981. (USN). It was the easiest thing I have ever done and I am positive that it has gotten much easier today. The hardest thing is knowing that you are not free to leave during basic, but its a great opportunity in life to get your butt back into great shape and make some temporary friends. After basic, you will probably never see them again so hang on to your money. I hope we are talking about the same thing when you say basic, I am presuming the Armed Services. Peace be with you.
2007-07-19 22:41:17 · answer #3 · answered by BudLt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting into the rhythm is the hardest part. I guess sleeping in a big room with 50 other strangers takes some getting used to too. I have a lot of fun memories from basic, so its what you make of it. Air Force Basic is pretty easy.
2007-07-19 22:39:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I went through it in 1980. USAF. Not much fun; The physical part was pretty simple, I thought it would be the hardest part but I was wrong. My issue was taking orders from people who were dumber than a bag of pop-corn!
2007-07-19 22:51:16 · answer #5 · answered by Linda J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in last year (USN) and the hardest thing for me was the mind games. I was picked on a lot b/c of my last name at the time and that was one thing I couldn't stand and they knew it. all the miles of walking everyday wasn't too bad and neither was the pt. then I was injured and had to stay 5 1/2 months instead of the 2 months. that sucked b/c my family was in NC and I was in IL. overall, it's not bad at all. good luck!
2007-07-20 08:39:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went through basic training back in the late 70's. It was physically hard in some ways, but you keep getting stronger. It is a mind game, keep that in front of your emotions at all times. People yell at you, make fun of you in front of your whole platoon, deny you priviledges (we had one sargent who would not let our company go to church one Sunday. He said he was our god for that day). As long as you keep up a good spirit, you will make it through. Remember it is only a few weeks. Homesickness is the biggest problem. That effects everyone, whether they admit it or not.
2007-07-19 22:45:26 · answer #7 · answered by chattanoogamollyblue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's tough physically, but it's even more tough MENTALLY.
for the MCRD [Marines], the Drill Instuctors are always playing crazy mind games with you. and they will say anything possible to break you down [they will go into your personal life as well]. you WILL be put on the spot and embarrassed alot. they make you feel worthless and like dying.
my friend went to boot camp because his father commited suicide and after his father died he was left with absolutely nothing. my friend was 18 at the time and had no family, no help from anyone anything at all. his father was all he had.
so he decided to join the Marines. and the DI's would play messed up games with him about his dad.
he said it was like hell.
2007-07-20 10:49:14 · answer #8 · answered by <3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The daily reminder that you are lower than whale dung, for starters. It goes down hill from there.
2007-07-19 22:38:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
being institutionalized, you are no longer an individual, you eat, sleep, clean and do EVERYTHING as unit composed of roughly 80 other people.
2007-07-19 22:51:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋