Do you feel that you had trained well enough for basic training: Spiritually, Physically, Emotionally, Mentally, etc.?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 18:06:36 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 6:12 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 18:12:21 -0400

No. I had no idea I'd be doing so much of the one thing I STILL hate - running. Everything else was an easy test of mental and emotional strength.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 6:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 18:48:39 -0400

I really don't think anyone was ready for it. The whole point of it is to alter your lifestyle into that of a service member. There really isn't a way to prepare for that unless you attended military schools your whole life.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 19 at 2015 5:34 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 05:34:02 -0400

Nope. I had, had it with School, Didn't want to go to college. I wanted to work on Radios or with Technology and without college that is kind of hard. I was shy and very unsure of myself. Put myself in a Situation that would rocket me into someone completely new and different. The Navy put me back in School to be a Technician. Taught me how to "Learn". Boot Camp taught me that we are all pretty much the same (Can't be shy living with 60 other guys). I would say I turned out pretty good and a product of my environment. 21 years working with the Finest Scientist, Engineers and Technicians in the Navy.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 19 at 2015 1:32 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 13:32:08 -0400

I was doing 8 or 9 martial arts classes a week so the PT part wasn't an issue. I was fresh out of high school so the academics was also no problem.

Mentally, not so much!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 9:51 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:51:23 -0400

The basic training was a joke but necessary, for me was a transition from the Cuban army to the U.S. Army, it was a period to eliminate bad habits and acquire a better set of skills

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 22 at 2015 8:55 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 20:55:43 -0400

I thought I was in great shape but once I started basic I realized I was only in average shape. Fortunately I left basic in very good shape. The best of my life.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 9:22 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 21:22:11 -0400

I was actually in better shape (more endurance, lower BMI) before than after.

I gained muscle and learned a ton, but I came from running cross country and wrestling (constantly controlling weight) to eating as much as I could and running at a very slow pace (formation runs). As far as the spiritually/emotionally/mentally. Maybe mentally I could have been better prepared.

Response by A1C Melissa Jackson made Aug 1 at 2015 1:47 PM

A1C Melissa Jackson — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 13:47:16 -0400

No. I think that my recruiter could have done a far better job of telling me what I needed to: bring with me- there were requirements of basic supplies to bring along, and I was not informed, better advice on how to prepare physically, and better information on how to let my family know about how to get in touch with me, or how often I would be able to get in touch with THEM.

Instead, he gave me a great lesson in how to meet weight requirements with laxatives. I was 17/18 and too dumb to know better, so I abused them throughout my military service. GOOD JOB, recruited!!!!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Aug 1 at 2015 8:00 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 20:00:14 -0400

I would say for the most part yes. Physically I could have done far more preparation then I did. Otherwise I knew what I was getting into. I had a deputy friend that was going to join the AF before he went into law enforcement. He had some pre-BMT books that he let me have to get prepared for it. They helped exponentially in getting me prepared for what was to come at BMT.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Mar 31 at 2020 11:34 AM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:34:55 -0400

I was told to get in the center of 3d squad, 3d platoon and keep your damn mouth shut. Best advice, ever!