tips for basic training??

Question

im going to basic in about 2 weeks now (army) and i'll be in missouri (cold & snowy, i assume) what should i pack to stay warm (i was told the army doesnt issue thermals n stuff) and any tips you may have will be greatly appreciated :D :D

tks!

Answer 1

I went to Fort Jackson AKA Relaxin Jackson and this was my expierence: BCT wasn't easy getting up as early as 0500 hours ( 5:00 ) sometimes 4 in the morning. PT ( physical training ) was always the first thing sit up,push ups,jumping jacks and other stuff then there was running as much as 4 miles early in the morning with a group of soldiers. Breakfast wasn't until 0800 hours by then we were starving then after that we would have to go up to the bay area and change into our BDU's and go back downstairs for formation and get ready for the day's instructions pretty much it was like this
you will not be able to use your cell phone in BCT. If you where to bring it he would end up putting it in storage. You will be leaving the day before your sceduled day to leave you will meet up with your recruiter the recruiter will take you to MEPS and you'll do some paper work and a quicker physical. Don't forget you highschool diploma or GED without it you'll be delayed from leaving like i was.Than when that's all said and done you'll be taken to a Hotel with other recruites and they'll sit in a room some people from the hotel will talk to them then give them a hotel key card to there rooms two people per room.That's where you'll stay over night in the morning they'll eat them begin bording the bus back to MEPs where they'll get there plane tickets and meal tickets ( those can be used at the airport to eat all the junk he/she wants he./she won't see too much of it in BCT ). You Will take a bus to the airport and eat and wait for the plane or planes depending on where he/she is going i went to Fort Jackson South Carolina and i had to take two planes. Once you get to your destination you will arrive at reception not BCT. Reception is about 1-2 weeks long there you'll get uniforms pictures are taken you will get get 6-7 shots dog tags duffle bag running shoes and if you wears glasses two pairs of BCG's ( birth control glasses it keeps the boys from looking at the girls and vias versa rumor ). No contacts are allowed or regular glasses.No cell phones either during inspection they'll take all soldiers to a room and have them empty there bags and the Drill Seargant will see if they have anything they shouldn't have the cell phones they'll give you a yellow envelope and they'll tell you to put the sim card and battery in it and the rest in the duffle bag with civilians and other stuff your not allowed to have. you'll learn in reception how to dress your uniform and how to do your bed hospital corners. . you'll get a smart book and a smart card worth $ 200.00- $ 300.00 dollars for males and 300.00 for females. The DI's will take all soldiers to the PX to buy what they didn't bring such as towels and another duffle bag and other things. Then when reception is over you'll go to BCT and start at week 0 it doesn't count. there are 3 phases in BCT red phase white phase and blue phase. Red Phase: All the basics and introduction left face right face foward march and other face movements you'll also learn how to do them with your weapon military time the soldiers creed the Army sond how to write the date the military way some paper work and you'll be given your ruck sack and three cantins two small ones and one large one and other things you'll do victory tower bayonet obsticle course you'll even get to use Army face paint and go into the woods with your weapon but not loaded and do a small amount of hand to hand combat you'll get your M-16 towards the end of red phase you'll also learn how to clean it and take it apart and the gas chamber ( *shiver* what a memory )yes you will get a gas mask. White Phase: Weapon Qualification with your M-16 hopefuly he gets hawks eye. Blue Phase: Victory Forge and all night thing. He'll go under barbed wire in a very low crawl with bullets be shoot over your head it's crazy. Then you'll graduate if you pass everything including PT tests. You'll have two minutes to do as many push ups as you can same as the sit ups and the two mile run you had to pass within a certain amount of time.There were other tests after every phase i remember at the end of red phase we had a large test out doors and it was a bunch of different booths and the drill seargants have you doing different parts of everything you learned like you had to take apart your weapon efficiently and put it back together efficiently you also had to identify rank ( the military rank structure ) the first aid booth,you had to do face movements with and without your weapon salute with and without your weapon how to address a comanding officer the soldiers creed and the special orders it was crazy and it took all day. Feel free to contact me if you have anymore questions

Also once your ready to leave reception the drill seargant will put a number on you every soldiers duffle bags that number determines what platoon your in during BCT it could be either numbers 1,2,3, or 4




Pretty much bring a couple pairs of civilian clothing socks shoes tooth brush tooth paste a brush a comb shavers shampoo conditioner pack lightly because once you get to reception you won't need much and before you go to BCT your going to go shopping any way for the stuff you didn't bring don't forget to buy stamps envelopes paper pens and pencils to write letters.

As for the showers there is no privacy you are going to shower with other females in open stalls there are no curtains or doors to close you will be seen and you will see them there are only 12-14 showers for 40-60 females if not more if you don't want to see them just turn around and don't worry about it after awhile you'll get used to it because it will never change you will shower in front of females from your platoon and the other platoon ( there are two platoons pre bay ).

You'll get a battle buddie i got along great with mine i still keep in touch with her till this very day.She's the person you'll do everything with from trips to the bathroom,talking to the drill seargants ( don't go talking to a drill seargant with out your battle buddie other wise they'll put you in the fron lean and rest "push-ups" and have you scream out i need a buddie until somebody comes to your aid it's humiliating that's for sure )

Fire guard sucks never get caught sleeping or you'll end up getting extra fire guard shifts ( Personal experence )

If you have any more questions feel free to contact me i'll be happy to answer

As for thermals you'll get what are called poly pros there tan but othere might say there brown and there meant for cold weather you'll get 2 poly pro shirts and 2 poly pro pants

Answer 2

Hey there! What MOS are you enlisting for? I went to L.Wood for BNCOC and the weather was awful! Anyway, your recruiter should have given you a packing list; make sure you bring what is listed on it, no more and no less. You will get very good cold weather clothing, so don't sweat the weather so much. The clothes that you will show up wearing will be boxed up and put into storage for when (and if) you have passes. As far as tips for making it through Basic, get to know your Battle Buddy and try to get along with her (mine was a *****, I hated her!) don't get caught sleeping on fire guard, have your uniform squared away (which is a lot easier nowadays, with the desert boots) make sure you have a pen and a small notebook with you at all times in your cargo pocket (handy for when you are a squad leader) make sure you keep track of your ID tags and card (DO NOT LOSE THOSE-HELL TO PAY!) stay motivated above all things, remember it will be a big adjustment for you (it took me about two weeks to adjust) don't try to strike up a friendship or relationship with one of the male trainees; that will get you looked at very hard by your Drills. Remember, thousands of females have done the same things that you are about to do and they made it through, you can too! Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

. They call it Fort lost in the Woods.
You'll see why.

All you need pack is what you're wearing, a change of clothes and wear a warm enough jacket, and take your toilet stuff. They will issue all the clothes you need.
The weather sucks! Zero to -10 at 5AM, but noon it's 50. Don't let yourself sweat, because by 5PM it'll be in the teens.

Above all , take your sense of humor, and remeber, work as a team. Help each other out,
Good luck, and remember,it only lasts a couple months.

Answer 4

Just bring a few pairs of outfits. They'll eventually issue you your uniform in a day or so after you get there. They'll pretty much give you what you'll need. Better start getting up early now! About 4 in the morning....run outside and do jumping jacks, pushups and run for 3-4 miles. Run home take a 20 second shower, eat your breakfast in less than a minute, and learn some military courtisies.

Answer 5

As the other guy said, you wear only army uniforms. Leonard Wood sucks, thats where i went, but its not too bad, weather is odd, hot one day and cold the next, even in the winter.

My advice is simple....keep your mouth shut, do what the Drill Sergeants tell you without backtalk and all will be well. They are there to get you through even though it doesnt feel that way when you are pushing, but you'll be fine.

Answer 6

They'll issue you winter clothing. You'll get a field jacket and liner, a wool sweater, polly pros(sp?), gator neck, gloves and glove inserts (the gloves really suck, you can buy better one's in the PX).
Ft. Leonard Wood really sucks and the weather is odd to say the least.
Stay motivated, especially during the first few weeks. It's really not as bad as most people think. Avoid going to sick call and you'll get through just fine.

Answer 7

The Army will issue clothing that is appropriate. Any civilian clothing will be stored, only the clothing that you are issued is authorized to wear.
Yes you will get long johns or similar.
Go in with a go attitude do your best.

Answer 8

You don't "pack" anything. Everything you take with you will be boxed and sent back home. You will wear only what they give you, no more, no less. They will give you adequet clothing to sustain you. They have been doing this for a long time. They are good at it. Don't sweat it

Answer 9

They'll give you gear, that you won't be allowed to wear. Make sure to adhere to the uniform of the day, lest you want consequences.

Answer 10

You might get a drill sgt that's a real joker,some dude that tries to be real funny....just so that you can slip up and laugh--don't lose your military bearing, otherwise he'll be all over you! Just do whatever the A.H. tells you to do and do it quickly ....you'll be all right.

Answer 11

Just Remember, Its all Mental! don't take anything personal and you'll be fine.