Army Basic Training: What to Expect

Basic training is the first step in preparing you to be a soldier. It starts with basic combat training or Army boot camp. Then comes specialized training in your career field — or you may go to Officer Candidate School to master Army leadership skills.

In basic training, you’ll learn teamwork, discipline and how to handle a weapon, rappel and march. The work is physically and mentally demanding. You’ll experience stress, and you’ll test your limits. Know what to expect and arrive prepared.

Basic combat training locations

The Army has four basic combat training locations:

• Fort Moore, Georgia
• Fort Jackson, South Carolina
• Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
• Fort Sill, Oklahoma

How your training location is determined:

• Enlisted members: Your initial training will be followed with more specialized training at the same installation. This will determine your basic training location. For example, infantry and armor specialties complete basic and advanced training at Fort Moore. Military police and combat engineers complete both trainings at Fort Leonard Wood.
• Female recruits: Your basic combat training location will be Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Sill or Fort Jackson. These installations have gender-integrated training.
• To become an officer: If you plan to become an officer, you’ll complete your basic training at Fort Moore, then go straight into Officer Candidate School.

Basic training schedule

This is the 10-week basic combat training schedule. It’s the same for the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard: