Did you enjoy Basic Training?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 14:19:00 -0500

I did. It was one of the only times in my career where everything seems to have worked as it should. We had clear missions and standards that gently rose; excellent NCOs and Officers who demonstrated respect for one another; tactically excellent DIs/Instructors who taught by show-know-do. We chain-taught one another--the NCO shows the platoon guide who shows the squad leaders who trains the squads...and things were checked and double checked. We had a good kick-to-pat ratio focused on earning more pats and a path to promotion. We had high morale, leaders who lead from the front! OK--we also had a bunch of wanna be criminals sent by the judge....And much much more....what say you?

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Nov 14 at 2014 2:35 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 14:35:58 -0500

SGM COBERLY HOOAH MY ARMY BROTHER BUT WE WENT THRU TWO DIFFERENT
WORLDS WHEN IT CAME TO BASIC TRAINING (BOOT CAMP)THAT WORD GENTLE WAS NEVER IN OUR MINDS CUZ IT WASNT IN OUR GREEN MARINE CORPS MACHINE MINDS...MY FIRST 30 MINUTES AT MCRD SAN DIEGO 26 MARCH 1969 I SAW A TALL MARINE WHO PASSED OUT BECAUSE HIS MOUTH WAS PRESSED UP AGAINST THE BULKHEAD AND THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR DROP KICKED HIM IN THE HEAD AS WE WERE FILING PAST HIM LYING ON THE DECK I SAW A BLACK SHOE MARK ON HIS FOREHEAD WE WERE STILL IN CIVILLIAN CLOTHING THAT WAS 46 YEARS AGO I REMEMBER IT LIKE IT HAPPENED A MONTH AGO...I BET THEM D.I'S HAD PTSD FROM VIETNAM BECAUSE THEY WERE PURE ANIMALS .................YOU PEOPLE GET A GLIMPSE IF YOU WATCH 1.FULL METAL JACKET 2.THE BOYS IN COMPANY C............THERE WAS NOTHING NICE ABOUT BOOT CAMP WE DIDNT EVEN HAVE REAL GRASS IN THE PLATOON AREA WE HAD TO RAKE MUD AND THE FURROWS WERE OUR GRASS...SGM IF IT WASNT LIKE THAT I COULD NEVER HAVE WALKED INTO 4 MAXIMUM AND 1 MEDIUM SECURITY PRISON........

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 14 at 2014 2:56 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 14:56:09 -0500

Did I enjoy Basic Training? That's a hard question to answer. I guess I would say I enjoyed what I learned and what I proved to myself that I was capable of but I didn't enjoy the 3am wake up calls, being yelled at all the time, the hundreds of push ups I completed, the miles ran, and all the other "fun things". I do look back at my time in basic training and I'm thankful for the guidance of my DSs and the lessons we learned and how those lessons were applied a few years later.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Nov 14 at 2014 3:55 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:55:50 -0500

In retrospect, I can honestly say yes, I did enjoy it. At the time? Well, not so much! LOL!

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Nov 14 at 2014 4:15 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:15:38 -0500

It was the second best time of my 7 years in the Army. ( weeks of just plain fun never a dull moment went by and learned something everyday.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 4:38 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:38:32 -0500

I've never been to basic, but I've heard some good and bad things from it. Looking back, I'm just happy doing the ROTC route.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Nov 14 at 2014 6:10 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 18:10:03 -0500

No! It was cold and dirty! They were always yelling at us and making us do push ups. The boy's bay was disgusting but us females got smoked every morning even though you could lick the floor because it was so clean. They wouldn't let me wear makeup, eat candy and I know for a fact those drill sergeants with the blue ring in their hats hated women.

Lol heck no I didn't enjoy basic training.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Nov 14 at 2014 6:34 PM

PFC Zanie Young — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 18:34:48 -0500

All right Sergeant Major, I'll bite. From a private's point of view... getting smoked for someone else's stupidity... no; having your locker tossed for getting one thing wrong... no; marching all day... no; fire guard duty at o dark hundred in the morning... no; running out of the gas chamber with no mask... no; getting shot at night with things in the pits exploding all around you and the DS screaming at you to hurry up while low crawling through the sand... no; rushing through your chow... could care less; graduating after going through all that... worth it!

Response by PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith made Nov 14 at 2014 6:35 PM

PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 18:35:09 -0500

I enjoyed the 4 hours on Sunday we got to hang out, shine shoes, talk about stupid shit. I didn't enjoy the lack of sleep, but Boot Camp wasn't nearly as bad as people think it is. Yeah, you get your ass kicked, but it's all a mind game. Keep your wits about you and time flies.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 6:37 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 18:37:47 -0500

Vote on the original Q at the top! You may win a coin!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 6:40 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 18:40:11 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member, my basic training may not have been all that (what you describe), but I did enjoy it. I learned a LOT and it was fairly well run. Overall I did enjoy basic training. As I've written before, I was quite apprehensive going in (I had zero military experience and really had almost no idea what to expect), but it turned out to be a good learning experience on many fronts.

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Nov 14 at 2014 6:49 PM

SPC Todd Hanson — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 18:49:07 -0500

SGM,
I enjoyed basic as It helped tranform me into the soldier I am today. It kept me on my toes.

Response by SSG Jason Cherry made Nov 14 at 2014 7:10 PM

SSG Jason Cherry — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:10:31 -0500

I had a blast at basic. I got to do what I was doing anyway, but now getting paid for it! Plus I got to see a couple people pee their pants, someone vomited so hard at the CS gas chamber that they crapped themselves, we got to go to the Soldiers Show because it was in town and another dude crapped himself, saw someone shaving someone elses butt, naked man buffing the floor, and someone peed themselves in fear of the drill sergeant because the dude left his wall locker unsecured. The DS found it unlocked and then secured his round brown inside... imagine the privates surprise when the DS has him open his locker while "searching" for the hat! On the last day before we went to AIT, one of our DS gave us a pep talk and as he left the bay he said "goodnight troops" and someone yelled " GOODNIGHT DAD! " and he proceeded to smoke us all for a good while lol

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 7:17 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:17:40 -0500

Although at the time I would say no, Marine Corps boot camp is not easy. But it was the only time in my career where I didn't have any worries except graduating. They told you when to eat, shower, sleep, you didn't have to make any decisions, how easy is that! Man I wish real life was that simple and easy!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Nov 14 at 2014 7:22 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:22:21 -0500

For the second time around of course, I'm the commander this time, lol. I did enjoy most of my initial basic training and remember most of it. It was at Ft Knox and in the dead of winter season.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 7:28 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:28:33 -0500

I don't remember much of it, honestly. I had 4 different TI's whom none really cared 100% because they were "substitutes"... I feel I got cheated somewhat. Yeah, we got our lickings and ass beatings, but we had very little guidance and were always getting pulled in a billion directions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 8:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 20:25:50 -0500

There were times I couldnt stand it but overall I loved it for the simple fact that my Drill Sergeants demanded respect and instilled unwaivering discipline.....something that is lacking these days. Im the NCO I am because of my drills.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Nov 14 at 2014 9:21 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 21:21:05 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member I did too. I hit the yellow footsteps of the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, on December 8. I was immediately instructed that due to our arrival in December, USMC actually stood for "U Suckers Missed Christmas!"

Great times. I hope GySgt Covey, SSgt Ellis, SGT Drummond, and SGT Thompson of PLT 3122 are long since retired and enjoying life. They certainly impacted my life.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 9:56 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 21:56:45 -0500

I loved basic training! I was in great physical condition when I went; so the pt and "smoking" wasn't physically bad. Everyone worked together to complete the task at hand, we had clear missions and procedures. Leadership was clear and the training was fun!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 9:57 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 21:57:25 -0500

Ya'll really must read my next book when done: Man on the Floor! If you want a preview of select chapters, send email to me at [login to see]

Response by CPL Rick Stasny made Nov 15 at 2014 12:01 AM

CPL Rick Stasny — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 00:01:46 -0500

I enjoyed it, but it wasn't easy by any means. I made my mistakes and payed for them along with everyone else. I had one bad day as a range cadre smacked the hell out of the back of my steel pot with a range paddle. To this day I have no idea what I did wrong. He took my rifle cleared it and threw it as far as he could an made me low crawl around until I found it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 2:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 14:25:12 -0500

I did enjoy BMT when I went through it. It was base on physical training as will as mental training so that you will be able to make through the military through ou your career.

Response by PO1 John Petersen made Nov 17 at 2014 12:45 AM

PO1 John Petersen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 00:45:10 -0500

Yes I did. My intention in those years was to escape the life I then was trapped in, and to prove to others that I had what it took to make it on my own. Basic taught me so much more. I became the person I longed to be, and through those weeks I wanted more. I finished my active duty as a senior E-6, and still remain in the in-active reserves (will have a total of 33 years come next March). I grew up in basic training, and to this day I feel the void I lived in beforehand was filled during those weeks.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Nov 17 at 2014 2:38 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 02:38:43 -0500

I didn't think it was bad or hard. Parts of it was fun. I didn't like Chicago in January, though.

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Nov 18 at 2014 4:43 AM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 04:43:02 -0500

There are times when I thought I had a big mistake, but now I realize that it was helping build on the foundation that was already established before I joined. I honestly think boot camp helped break me out of my shell. It was there where I made some very good friends and learned a lot about myself as well.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 18 at 2014 10:10 AM

SFC Melker Johansson — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 10:10:37 -0500

It was an acceptable experience and I survived. Unfortunately, I had bronchitis throughout all of basic training so after every single cardio event I was basically coughing my lungs out for 10-15 minutes. That put a damper on the experience.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 1 at 2014 9:37 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 09:37:11 -0500

I wouldn't say that I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't characterise it as a bad time, either. I come from a looooong line of service members. My father is a Vietnam-era professional Marine. I knew what to expect going in, and was adequately prepared. To me, it was another day, another dollar.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 1 at 2014 10:18 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:18:49 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member: The passing of time smooths the edges of rough periods of our lives. I started BCT on 11NOV69, which will be forty-five years ago in just a few days, so it's impossible to remember much of what actually occurred, either good or bad. It was new, scary and somewhat traumatic initially, but ultimately, it turned to be a good experience for me.
I have asked myself at various times why it was a good experience and invariably, it comes down to my drill sergeant. The drill sergeant of 1st platoon was SFC Richard DesLauriers. He was a comparatively kind and quiet man, somewhat atypical of many BCT drill sergeants, both then and now. He was in the business of mentoring before the Army formalized the process and was worthy of emulation. I've tried to find him over the years to thank him, to no avail as yet. He was truly an extraordinary non-commissioned officer.

Response by CW4 Ray Montano made Dec 19 at 2014 1:22 PM

CW4 Ray Montano — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:22:01 -0500

I loved every minute of it. I enlisted in the Army, with the intent of doing three years, turning 21, getting out, and joining our local police department. By the morning of my second day of basic training, I already knew I had found a home and would stay. Came in for three years and left with 25.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 21 at 2014 4:49 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 16:49:02 -0500

For me it was a give or take situation, we had poor Instructors who either were drunk,or fat slugs, One of our Drills was a SSG King who got his truck stuck in the mud one day while drunk, wound up coming in and forming a detail to get it out, could hardly stand the poor sap, he was drunk a good portion of the time. Our Commander ,a Cpt Smith was always taking taxis during our runs or road marches and claiming he could smoke all of us with his pot gut when he would jump out of bushes along the route,do a few cals with us and as soon as you could hear him panting he would give the formation back to 1sg Mcbride ( of One the most racist black person I ever met) and would disappear into a taxi again. we wound up doing a skit at graduation and some portrayed fat lazy out of shape drills and almost got recycled.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 5:13 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 17:13:00 -0500

Hell no, As I went when I was older and when the drill sergeants found out what I did before the military, they keep me up asking questions instead of letting me sleep like everyone else.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 5:33 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 17:33:19 -0500

Back them, I would have to say my opinion of it was probably not very favorable. I remember wanting to find that damn recruiter when I got back so I could kick his ass. A good portion of my unit was there because the judge gave them a choice of either joining the Army or going to jail. Looking back on it now, I have very fond memories of it.

I went through an OSUT (one station unit training) program so we had the same DI's, same barracks, same everything for basic and AIT - didn't get a break or anything, just finished one and started the other.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 12:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 00:21:28 -0500

SFC Hulka and I had a blast! Especially that "marching in a straight line" business.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 9:15 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 09:15:32 -0500

Someone asked for my Basic Training Pix...have only a few....Tigerland, Ft. Polk, circa 1973..hopefully the pdf works...look for the Stache...it was the new VOLAR and met the standard then. While the DIs didn't like it, I was the 1st platoon guide for all 8 weeks. An exhausting job but much fun.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 10:10 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:10:23 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member I lost 88lbs to join he ARMY at 31 years old, I enjoyed the fact that just joining was an accomplishment. Passing the obstacle courses, the morning runs, the APFTs, all the other challenges along with soldiers 10 years younger than me gave it a different sense. Every morning I woke up saying to myself, I'm doing this, I'm making it. Yes, there were days that sucked, but I definitely enjoy my BCT!

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Jan 29 at 2015 1:50 PM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:50:50 -0500

Did I enjoy Basic? Lord no!! But, I had fun each and everyday of it! Someone would always do, or say, something that would make you laugh so hard you'd almost whiz in your pants, sometimes I was the idiot to cause the laughter!

Response by MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. made Feb 4 at 2015 1:51 PM

MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:51:30 -0500

Went to Ft. Benning, GA in 1982. OSUT - One Station Unit Training - Basic Training and AIT all in one. I was 11 H - Anti-tank. Very tough few weeks - taught me a lot about me. Pushed myself harder than I ever thought I could and then gave some more. "More PT...Drill Sergeant...More PT!" Helped me start out as a SOLDIER. Even helped in my later years as a journalist - I could still talk the talk. Walking the walk got harder ... but still maxed the PT test in year 21.

Response by SPC(P) Carlos Santini made Feb 4 at 2015 10:13 PM

SPC(P) Carlos Santini — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:13:03 -0500

I really enjoyed basic training because I was in a place where I needed some tough love and what was nice was when basic and IT was done the drill sergeants told us to keep our noses down and just do our jobs. This was the best advise I got from any drill sergeant or sergeant period. Drill Sergeants can smell out the bad soldier and they drill them till they quit or make them better. I got drill some days for stupid shit because Drill Sergeants were bored, but by the time I left I new I was in the best shape of my life and I felt like a real bad ass. Then I woke up when I got to my duty station and found out I was not a bad ass as I thought. lol

Response by SFC Scott Parkhurst made Feb 8 at 2015 10:37 PM

SFC Scott Parkhurst — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 22:37:59 -0500

Most of the time yes. It's what you make of it is what I tell Troops before they go in. You can't take things personally that's for sure. Everything that the DS has you do is for a reason! And it only makes you stronger. When I went in it was right at the Rodney King issue and "they" knew I was a police officer so "some" of them tried to make my life a living hell and one of the DS actually put me in ICU...(yes, he lost his hat for it) only cause there were witness's otherwise it would have been something I think I would have handled on my own?? But I graduated with the class and still got 290+ on my APFT even! The other DS's really liked me and fought for me and so that really helped my morale and actually made me a strong Soldier throughout my 20 years! I actually thought about becoming a DS!

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Mar 22 at 2016 5:15 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:15:11 -0400

First time, USN RTC Great Lakes: NO. HELL NO!!!! Second time, US Army Ft. Sill (C 1/19), yeah, because I was more mature and could better handle the psychological stressors. Besides, by that time, I knew that when I got to real honest-to-God muscle-failure, all the yelling in the world wasn't going to get me up off the deck.

Response by MAJ Carlos Valenzuela-Durr made May 29 at 2021 11:28 PM

MAJ Carlos Valenzuela-Durr — Sat, 29 May 2021 23:28:42 -0400

Only if I did not get to deal with the Marine Drill Instruct and when going to the field

Response by PFC Francis Ramseyer made Jan 10 at 2022 3:52 AM

PFC Francis Ramseyer — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 03:52:59 -0500

Yes, even it was a bit too soft physically.

Response by PVT Penelope Vieira made Jul 28 at 2023 8:02 PM

PVT Penelope Vieira — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 20:02:47 -0400

No I did not my ds made fun of me being older than them and I got put on suicide watch for a girl who had trauma done to her at Christmas break.so I didn't get to train like I was supposed to and ended up being a hold over for 3 mo.the only good that came out of my experience was my 3 battle buddies.
Oh and during victory forge I fell in a foxhole and stress fractured my knee