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Posted in these groups: 
Drill SergeantInfantry Center (Army)
Drill SergeantInfantry Center (Army)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 32
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The perceived difficulty of your basic training is exponentially and positively proportionate to how long its been since you went to basic training. The further back you went to basic training, the easier today's basic training seems to you in comparison. For example, if you went to basic training in the 1980s, today's basic training seems like a Disneyland Vacation. If you went in the 1990s, today's basic seems more like a Boy Scout Jamboree. If you went in the 2000s, today's (Army) basic seems like Air Force Basic.
Except for Marines - they just like to suffer all the time.
Except for Marines - they just like to suffer all the time.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
Kerry-anne Barnard - It was a long time ago, but I believe the bus driver - of an old blue school bus - was in uniform and was a SSG or SFC.
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SSgt (Join to see)
In the Marine Corps, we learn to embrace the suck; become one with the suck. Be. The. Suck.
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I think so. I joined in 2008 and went to an all male basic at FT Sill. It was challenging. Now I hear IET Soldiers get 8hrs of sleep daily and have their cell phones. I also see them on pass a lot.
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SFC Christopher Taggart
Basic Trainees get more sleep today, than I do NOW...and I've been out of the military for seven years. I have no sleep apnea, or insomnia, just extremely busy as a civilian. I get between 4 to 6 a night. :-/
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(Join to see)
Not true lol. I got 3 phone calls home during basic at Sill lol. One was 17 secs, the other was 10 mins, and the other about 15 mins. Other than that we never had our phones. And yea we averaged about 7hrs of sleep per night. However, a lot of those nights were interrupted by drill sgts lol. During the forge (final ftx) which is 4 days, 3 nights. We averaged about 2-3 hrs of sleep per night. However, on the last night we rucked about 18 miles from 2000 til about 0500. No sleep that night lol. Basic is still tough unlike what ppl would like to believe
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SSG Lyle O'Rorke
(Join to see) 7 hours sleep. We had to do detail cleaning and pull duty during our “Sleep” time. Plus for all but the first two days and the last week of basic we sleep on the floor with our bunks broke down in the middle of the bay.
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Marine Corps Recruit Training lasts 13 weeks, so we can claim to suffer the longest relative to the other services. I went through it in 1997, when they were still introducing the Crucible as the cumulative exercise that all Marines had to pass in order to earn the title of U.S. Marine and the right to wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. The Crucible was controversial when first implemented, as was the shift from boxing to pugil sticks and the implementation of Marine Corps Martial Arts, but I think that all of these shifts have worked out reasonably well.
The main controversy (friendly rivalry among boots) among male Marines is whether one suffered at Paris Island, SC (all men east of the Mississippi R. & all women) or at MCRD San Diego (all men west of the Mississippi R.). Clearly, if that's the only issue, then we're producing a sound product, right? Our performance in OEF/OIF would seem to argue that the answer is "yes!"
The main controversy (friendly rivalry among boots) among male Marines is whether one suffered at Paris Island, SC (all men east of the Mississippi R. & all women) or at MCRD San Diego (all men west of the Mississippi R.). Clearly, if that's the only issue, then we're producing a sound product, right? Our performance in OEF/OIF would seem to argue that the answer is "yes!"
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Sgt Wayne Wienke
When my daughter when through basic at Fort Leonardwood, the biggest shock to me was it was co-ed.
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SPC Leo Picollo
I went to leonardwood in 83 16 weeks training , no passes no calls , total control ruck sacks and weapons we had everywhere we went , 15 mile road marchs all the time we walked to the ranges every time full gear , run to chow hall go though the bars 80 and 80 then no talking eat and get out run back to barracks damn no breaks what the heck , we started out with close to 200 men at the end we had 130 or so they where kicking people out left and right on general discharge just talk to a master sergeant ative 37 years he told me now is a cake walk not half of what is use to be , BIG FING MISTAKE Army needs to be tough times are the same when it comes to being a grunt or engineer nothing changed except the equipment no balls , leads to defeat.
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Well, I went through BCT in 1983 - Ft Knox. It was hard. It was 8 weeks. Airborne school was harder in many ways.
My son is at Ft Sill as I write this. Just finished week 5 of 10. So at a minimum, it is longer. I'll let you know when I meet him at graduation. I would say some things may seem easier, some harder. But the gas chamber sucks for all generations. As to those speculating about the cell phones, yes, they get to use them WHEN they get to make a call because no pay phones anymore. He called the first day - and I will tell you that was not an easy call to receive as a dad. They were certainly doing their jobs as Drill Sergeants. He called again after week four phase completion to "white" phase from "red" phase. You would think he is having a blast. He has been up-beat and positive in his letters and making the most of every bit of his training.
Basic training, like most worthwhile and difficult tasks, depends on the mental attitude you go in with and how well you keep it. If the goal matters, it sucks for a while but gets better. If fear is where your head lives, prepare for the worst ten weeks of your life. Maybe you should have chosen a different task.
Is it easier? I doubt it. But my hope is that it is the training he needs to thrive and survive regardless of where he is stationed and/or deployed.
My son is at Ft Sill as I write this. Just finished week 5 of 10. So at a minimum, it is longer. I'll let you know when I meet him at graduation. I would say some things may seem easier, some harder. But the gas chamber sucks for all generations. As to those speculating about the cell phones, yes, they get to use them WHEN they get to make a call because no pay phones anymore. He called the first day - and I will tell you that was not an easy call to receive as a dad. They were certainly doing their jobs as Drill Sergeants. He called again after week four phase completion to "white" phase from "red" phase. You would think he is having a blast. He has been up-beat and positive in his letters and making the most of every bit of his training.
Basic training, like most worthwhile and difficult tasks, depends on the mental attitude you go in with and how well you keep it. If the goal matters, it sucks for a while but gets better. If fear is where your head lives, prepare for the worst ten weeks of your life. Maybe you should have chosen a different task.
Is it easier? I doubt it. But my hope is that it is the training he needs to thrive and survive regardless of where he is stationed and/or deployed.
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(Join to see)
My mother and father where army vietnam era vets. My sister went to BCT in the late 90s. My Brother did BCT in late 80s (broke an arm and washed out) and then Navy Boot Camp..all in late 80s. They all say it was harder for them than it is now. My son is a Jackson as I type this. Weak 3 of 10 and week 2 of Red Phase.
I can attest that they do not get their cell phones save the one scripted call with mailing info. Ive heard they can earn calls if they shoot the best etc...but that's not a guarantee. Sometimes they get calls when they phase up - but again - not a guarantee. Not sure if its harder or easier - but regardless I think it challenges the recruits. Once my son gets out - Im sure he will compare notes with my parents and siblings and they will all think their time was harder than the last time.
Ive not done Real Basic/ Boot camp myself. I did do 3 weeks at age 16 at RTC San Diego - my camp counselor was a Marine Corp D.I. - so while not military - I did do the gas chamber, experience the marching, early wake up calls and mind numbing classroom stuff - White tornado and racks thrown out the 2 story window and all.
(FYI - wanna know what breaks a Marine Corp D.I? 60 teenage girls crying because they let you down and promising to do better. Instead of motivating the group - his marine corp D.I. approach made all the girls start crying, promise to work harder and to "please dont be mad at us...." I over heard him tell our female chaperone "they are crying...why are they crying...make them stop crying..." Turns out he was a new daddy with two little girls at home.. )
I can attest that they do not get their cell phones save the one scripted call with mailing info. Ive heard they can earn calls if they shoot the best etc...but that's not a guarantee. Sometimes they get calls when they phase up - but again - not a guarantee. Not sure if its harder or easier - but regardless I think it challenges the recruits. Once my son gets out - Im sure he will compare notes with my parents and siblings and they will all think their time was harder than the last time.
Ive not done Real Basic/ Boot camp myself. I did do 3 weeks at age 16 at RTC San Diego - my camp counselor was a Marine Corp D.I. - so while not military - I did do the gas chamber, experience the marching, early wake up calls and mind numbing classroom stuff - White tornado and racks thrown out the 2 story window and all.
(FYI - wanna know what breaks a Marine Corp D.I? 60 teenage girls crying because they let you down and promising to do better. Instead of motivating the group - his marine corp D.I. approach made all the girls start crying, promise to work harder and to "please dont be mad at us...." I over heard him tell our female chaperone "they are crying...why are they crying...make them stop crying..." Turns out he was a new daddy with two little girls at home.. )
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While things have changed, even in the USMC, since I went through in '64 (No, not 1864, 1964) I have always observed that if Boot Camp got as much easier as we all perceive as fast as we all perceive, then it would now be a kindergarten birthday party. Boot camp for me now (at 72) would be a real physical challenge that probably exceeds what my body can do, but mentally it would be easy. You see, I am just not scared or as impressed by a Corporal in the Marine Corps as I was as a recruit -- certainly not in the same way.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
LtCol George Carlson Colonel, I agree, Marines continue to impress me!!
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SFC Regis,
I will let you know here soon enough. I am taking command in a few weeks. Can't give you an honest answer yet, but will once I'm settled in as CDR. A lot has changed since the mid 90s and I know basic training is different from when I went at Ft. Knox.
I will let you know here soon enough. I am taking command in a few weeks. Can't give you an honest answer yet, but will once I'm settled in as CDR. A lot has changed since the mid 90s and I know basic training is different from when I went at Ft. Knox.
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SFC Christopher Taggart
CPT Swartout, when did you attend Ft Knox? I had Basic in 1985...just wondering.
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Did basic/AIT in '81, then did Infantry training at Benning in '88. Biggest difference was DIs couldn't cuss you anymore. I think Army training is lesser because of the lack of colorful profanity. Didn't think I would miss it, but I did!
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I don't know about easier but probably more high tech more user friendly, I would love to try the new General Quarters/War Simulator they have at Great Mistakes.
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When I went to Infantry OSUT at Valley Forge, Baron Von Stueben made us into real men.
The rest of you that came afterwards are a bunch of Marys.
The rest of you that came afterwards are a bunch of Marys.
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I have no frame of reference to answer this question. I only went to basic training once. ;-)
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