Basic Training

Basic training is the first step in preparing mentally and physically to serve in the military. The work is challenging. You’ll experience stress, and you’ll test your limits. Know what to expect and arrive prepared.

Basic training varies by service branch. Each service branch has a slightly different name for it, as well.

Army Basic Combat Training

Depending on your specialty training after Army basic combat training, you’ll be assigned to either Fort Moore, Georgia; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; or Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Army basic combat training lasts 10 weeks, ending with graduation:

• Reception Battalion, also called “week zero.” Expect paperwork, physical exams, immunizations, a haircut, uniforms — and your first physical fitness test. If you don’t pass this test, you’ll be placed in the fitness training company for additional training. Then you’ll have two chances per week to pass the test.
• Phase One/Red Phase (weeks one through three). You’ll learn the fundamentals of soldiering, core Army values, Army traditions and ethics and what it means to be a soldier. You’ll also take the Army Combat Fitness Test.
• Phase Two/White Phase (weeks four through five). The focus is on self-discipline, teamwork combat skills, night training, hand-to-hand combat and weapons training, basic rifle marksmanship and physical fitness.
• Phase Three/Blue Phase (weeks six through nine). You’ll cover additional weapons training and rifle marksmanship, an overview of convoy operations, military operations in urban terrain and field training exercises. The final step of this phase is to pass all 212 tasks of the end-of-cycle test.

Following Army basic combat training, you’ll enter Officer Candidate School or continue to advanced individual training in one of 17 career fields.

Marine Corps Basic Recruit Training

You’ll report to either Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina or Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California depending on where you live in the U.S.

The 12-week basic training focuses on physical and academic challenges and tactical training.

You can expect:

• Medical evaluations
• An initial strength test of pullups or flexed-arm hand, crunches and a timed 1.5-mile run
• Classroom instruction on Marine Corps culture and traditions, personal conduct, military history and first aid
• Leadership training
• Hand-to-hand combat training
• Rappelling
• Combat water survival
• Rifle training
• Confidence course of 11 obstacles
• Basic warrior training

The final test is the Crucible, a 54-hour continuous challenge that tests every skill and value you’ve learned in training.

The second stage of training after boot camp is the School of Infantry. Marines with a military occupational specialty of infantry train for 59 days at the Infantry Training Battalion. Non-infantry Marines train for 29 days at the Marine Combat Training Battalion.

Navy Boot Camp

The seven weeks of Navy Boot Camp takes place in Great Lakes, Illinois. The schedule includes:

• Medical and dental exams, administrative screenings, inoculations and uniforms during the first five processing days.
• Physical training of one-hour daily workouts six days a week.
• The Navy Physical Fitness Assessment
• Hands-on technical training in basic seamanship, firefighting, water survival, weapons training, antiterrorism and force protection training.

The Battle Stations program begins at five-and-a-half weeks. This intense 12-hour final evaluation assesses everything you learned in boot camp and whether you have the skills, discipline and core values to be a sailor.

Air Force Basic Military Training

Air Force Basic Military Training lasts eight-and-a-half weeks and takes place at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Training focuses on getting your flight assignment, individual duty assignment, equipment, uniforms and orientations. You’ll learn the basics of military life:

• How to handle and fire a weapon
• Basic defense
• Combat lifesaving skills
• Countering threats to national security
• Airmanship skills

The sixth week includes basic expeditionary airmen skills. This will assess everything you learned during field training exercises and combat scenarios.

After basic military training, you’ll move on to technical training to learn the skills needed to perform your specific Air Force job.

While each service may have different requirements for what to bring with you when you start basic training, all generally include the following.

Do not bring any of the following items:

These 10 tips from people who have been there will help you adjust to boot camp and life in the military.

1. Have an appreciation for rules and regulations. From day one, you will be told what to do and how to do it. Follow all instructions closely and learn to be disciplined in doing so. One day, your life may depend on it.
2. You are the master of your own discipline. You’re not going to be taught discipline. You’ll be expected to bring it on a daily basis. That means your behavior and its consequences are in your own hands. Taking that to heart will take you a long way.
3. Focus is your friend. Focus on the task at hand and put everything else out of your mind. Forget about worrying, what comes next, why or what just happened. Look at the task directly in front of you and accomplish it to the best of your abilities.
4. Don’t let it get to you. Building up your mental and physical toughness takes hard work. You will be challenged in ways that can be frustrating, tiring and confusing. It’s all part of the training. Don’t take it personally.
5. Master being part of a team. The success of the military is dependent upon teamwork. Basic training allows you to learn a variety of skill sets in being part of a team. Everyone will work, eat, sleep and fight together as one. Check your ego at the door, focus on the task at hand and promote collaboration.
6. Be a leader in the culture of fitness. Physical fitness is absolutely critical for readiness, retention and resiliency. Take fitness very seriously. Don’t expect military training to make you fit — plan to arrive fit. If you can do pushups, sit-ups and run all day, you will be better off than the person in the next bunk.
7. Show up knowing the language. Learn as much as you can before you report — military jargon, acronyms and general orders. Get familiar with your chosen branch of service, its song, creed and the values. Learn rank structure, military time and the phonetic alphabet. It will give you a big leg up.
8. Learn the principles of healthy eating. The amount of time you’ll be given to eat will be less than 10 minutes per meal. As such, it is critical that you know and choose the right menu items to maximize your human performance. Check out MyPlate for tools and resources.
9. Get on top of your finances. You haven’t left your responsibilities behind. All of your bills still need to be paid. If your debt piles up or bills go into collection, you could be denied a security clearance and lose your chance at your preferred job. Practice good financial management skills and plan for the future.
10. Let everyone know the limits of your communications. You’re leaving the world of instant, constant communication. There’s no texting from foxholes, and when you can call, it’ll probably be short and less than private. Tell the important people in your life that you’ll get in touch when you can.