Ft Sill BCT next month. Looking for advice for an older recruit, as well as a more accurate packing list. I am motivated, is that enough?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 10:55:19 -0400

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 12:07 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 12:07:49 -0400

Motivation is important. People who want to be there and want to succeed, will. There will be some culture shock. That's to be expected. But thousands upon thousands of people have been there and made it through. I was 17 when I went to boot camp but there were some older guys in my platoon. They had a rough time. Mainly because they didn't like being yelled at by guys that were younger than them. My advice is to check your pride at the door and just accept the situation as it is and do what you're told.

My #1 tip for anyone entering the military is to be in the right place, at the right time, and in the right uniform. If you can do that you will be spared from a lot of personal attention that you don't want to get. Tip #2 is to do well on the APFT. Again, failing that test will bring negative attention to you. Accomplish those two things and most of the drill sergeant's attention will be focused on those who can't.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 12:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 12:19:06 -0400

Never been to Sill, but all I can tell you, I was 30 when I went thru basic, get ready for what may seem to you as some really stupid behavior. For the most part I was treated at Leonardwood just like any private, several D.S.'s asked my what the heck I was doing. My Platoon sergeant had a rotation for leadership, they saved me to be in charge for BRM, so every morning had to do accountability for weapons and masks. Just remember allot of it is just a head game go with it and do what they ask.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 12:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 12:54:07 -0400

The physical part gets more difficult as you get older. I used to be able to show up to a PT test and pass after doing next to nothing to prepare. Now I have to prepare physically and mentally well in advance.

I last dealt with an IET environment 5 years ago at 32 when I reclassed to 15 series. The hardest part there was not throat punching the new kids because of their attitudes and lack of discipline. The rest was cake. The older and more mature you are tends to make dealing with the "Army BS" a little less frustrating because you can rationalize it differently.

As others have said, don't do anything to attract unwanted attention to yourself. Keep your nose clean and fly low and you'll do fine.

I've never been to Sill myself, but I've heard it's a place of weather extremes so be prepared for that. The Army has this uncanny ability to find hills where there are none, heat and cold where there isn't any, and bugs that belong in Jurassic Park.

Last thing, remember that this is a decision you made and there's no going back on it without consequences. Your reasons are your own, but whatever they are you're about to become a part of something much bigger than yourself and your reasons. Have no regrets and stick it out for the duration, however long that may be.

Response by SPC Diana D. made Oct 17 at 2017 1:16 PM

SPC Diana D. — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 13:16:56 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member My daughter went through boot camp with the Air Force at 30!! She said it was hard but she seemed to think that it helped her being older. Expect to have a few thoughts like "what in the world did I sign up for?" and "I don't think I can last another day", but you can and you will be a better person for it. SSG Private RallyPoint Member is correct about the head games. Just do what they ask and don't overthink it. You will be just fine.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 1:25 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 13:25:42 -0400

I went in at 27 and attended BCT at Ft. Sill. I was selected as platoon leadership (PG) and held the position the entire cycle. In many ways, BCT is simple; in other ways, it's challenging for an "older" soldier.

The easy part: Life is simple. All the pressures of your life are reduced to your locker, your uniform, and making your bed. All of the creative energies you utilize every day to manage work, a social life, a significant other, a car, school, your parents, and deadlines are funneled into a comparatively *very* simple life. You will be given sets of directions that are easy to remember and easy to execute - your peers will forget them as soon as they've heard them and fail on every account.

The hard part: You're held responsible for the actions (or non-actions) of the "kids" in your platoon - the ones who don't know how to just say "Yes, Drill Sergeant!" and follow commands. From reception to graduation, these people dragged me down the most.

As far as packing goes, they are going to make you shove whatever you bring into a locker and only have access to it in case of extreme emergency. If you bring your cell phone (I didn't), you'll have access to it when you hit White Phase (once a week, 10 minutes). Bring your cell phone - it's invaluable for coordinating your trip home for Christmas Exodus.

Volunteer for everything you can. Seriously. You're there to learn and work, and you'd rather be known as the soldier who volunteers than the one who tries to get away. They will notice. Take on a leadership-by-service role; you're not in charge of anyone, but you can to police your squadmates' uniforms and ensure they remember things like gloves, smart book, and eye pro.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 17 at 2017 1:28 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 13:28:56 -0400

Far be it for me to ask a woman her age, so instead I will let you know mine when I enlisted in the Army. At age 36 I shipped off for a few months of fun and sun at Sand Hill, Ft. Benning. I was literally TWICE the age of several other recruits and was even older than all my drill sergeants! So I may have some thoughts on the matter of being an older recruit.

First, motivation is a great start! Keeping up that motivation when you've been up for 2 days, are filthy, hungry, and rucked for several miles all while having a (seemingly) pissed off drill sergeant screaming at you with their boot up you ass--basically, when things are the most difficult--is where you need to dig deep. Definitely easier said than done, but it can be done.

Now, for the more practical advice:

On the packing list, just go with what they tell you. Deviate from that, and you're liable to have stuff taken from you they don't want you to have. Double check any questions with your recruiter. Sure some suck, but many actually DO know their job, and information is a part of their job.

If you're not there already, get right with your PT! Regardless of age, being in good physical condition is critical for military success. I'm not saying you need to be a PT stud, but have your running, push-ups, and sit-ups and flexibility (stretching) down solid. It'll make it so, so, SO much easier on you and makes you less prone to injury; and I can assure you, young service members and recruits cannot understand that as an older soldier, you may be more prone to certain pains, strains, injuries, and sometimes it takes a bit longer to recoup. This does NOT mean you cannot keep up or even beat younger peers!

Next, younger recruits may look to you for advice on life. Give it. You can't speak to Army life yet, but you have years worth of life experience many around you simply will not have, but wait for them to ask you. No one cares about unsolicited advice, no matter how sound.

Do not expect the drill sergeants to give you ANY special favors; in fact, depending on who you run across, some people will hold your age against you. Understand this, and drive on. Keep your eyes on the prize and work towards your goal.

Just because you are older, doesn't mean you no longer need to learn things, and that's all your basic training experience is: Learning a wholly different world of existence than that which you knew before. So in that regard, you will be no different than the younger recruits--but hopefully your maturity will allow you to see that; whereas the kids around you may well not--and going hand-in-hand with that, keep your ego in check. Again, hopefully maturity will help keep that under control too.

Lastly, have some faith in yourself. Basic Training may well be harder on you than on a younger recruit, but that does NOT mean you can't graduate! And Basic is not the Army, keep that in mind too. So no matter how hard it will be, set doubts aside and drive forward.

Good luck!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 1:52 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 13:52:44 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member Listen, observe and be a squared away recruit. Being motivated will help, but be prepared to be challenged. Years from now, you will look back fondly at the challenges that you overcame. Enjoy the adventures, and provide us with an update later. Good luck.

Response by A1C Robert Hayden made Oct 17 at 2017 4:47 PM

A1C Robert Hayden — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 16:47:32 -0400

A1C RD Hayden USAF Vet Artillery Brat!
Sill is Cold and Hot! Enough Said about the Climate in South Central OK. Closest big town is Witchita Falls, TX where I spent 2 months at Sheppard AFB for Tech School. Lived at Ft Sill/Lawton as a Dependant. Good hiking trails near Medicine Creek on Post. The less you pack, the less your drill sgt can confiscate

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 5:02 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 17:02:36 -0400

You will do exceptionally well. One of the most challenging issues with dealing with recruits is their maturity and lack of life skills. You will see remedial tasks that you will be able to resolve easily but they will be challenging for the younger soldiers. Many will look to you as you have more experience. Even though you are are not prior service but you life experience will transfer over into the military.

Besides that your attitude will dictate your experience. You may find it challenging and enjoy it. You will see others that struggle and fail. I wish you the best of luck.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Oct 17 at 2017 5:46 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 17:46:15 -0400

Well if memory serves me correctly, they should have given you a packing list. But regarding advice, that I can provide because I was an older recruit as well. Stay motivated. You'll need it. But you are right, that's not enough. You've got to keep up with your PT and diet as well. You won't notice it at first, but after the fast paced training environment of boot camp, everything after that tends to slow down in pace so you might find yourself putting on a couple pounds. Just keep your chin up and keep pushing forward. Good luck.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Oct 17 at 2017 8:12 PM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 20:12:05 -0400

Congratulations PFC Private RallyPoint Member for your intent to serve and motivation to go for it.
I agree with what others have said. Here's how I put it:
- pack what they tell you to pack. no more, no less.
- do PT ahead of time: push ups, sit ups, run. now.
- when you arrive...do what you are told
- look forward, not backward
- basic will end. it will, no matter how you feel at any given time.
Congratulations.
#respect

Response by SSG Diane R. made Oct 17 at 2017 8:58 PM

SSG Diane R. — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 20:58:49 -0400

You're in for a great adventure and will do well if you follow the advice provided here.

Are you going into the Air Defense Branch by chance? Do keep up posted on your progress, and Godspeed on your training.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 3:28 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 03:28:53 -0400

I went to Benning, I'll tell you this that packing list is crap and you won't need most of it.
Take the clothes on your back, a small backpack with some hygiene essentials, your phone and charger, and maybe 1 change of clothes, this in addition to any documentation you need. You're only going to be carrying it, along with a laundry bag and 2 duffle bags full of Army gear anyway so less stuff the better. Besides they'll make you buy everything you need at the PX anyway.

I enlisted at 25 and we had a guy in our Platoon who was late 30's or 40. The stupid crap the 17-20 year olds do will piss you off, believe me on that. The upside is you'll probably handle the Drill Sergeants better than the younger Recruits. Downside is if you are not physically active right now, the constant physical activity is going to hit you harder than some of the younger recruits. Prepare for that.

Make sure you know your basic Soldier information, like the Army song, Soldiers Creed, Ranks, etc before you get there. That will help you in two ways, one you'll already know it so you won't get hemmed up as much. Two, being older you might end up as a Squad Leader or Platoon Guide so knowing it will help you help your guys. Or they'll put the 18 year old in charge of you and it might drive you nuts. 50-50.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Oct 19 at 2017 7:35 AM

SFC Marcus Belt — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 07:35:50 -0400

I went through BCT almost 16 years ago at Ft Sill at the age of 30! I was prior service, USN and a Desert Storm veteran. To be frank, stuff hurt a lot more the second time through basic, but the mental side was FAR easier.

Before I reported, I adopted this frame of mind: I want to be a Soldier; everybody their wants me to be a Soldier. Since we all want the same outcome, we're all pulling in the same direction.

Also, I don't feel it inaccurate to say that I had really good Drill Sergeants, and inasmuch as the Drill Sergeant-Recruit paradigm allows, respected the Soldiers in their charge.

Do you best at everything, work hard and you'll actually have some fun.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Oct 19 at 2017 4:20 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 16:20:31 -0400

The post at Ft. Sill is an old one dating back to a frontier post. A major U.S. Highway goes right through the middle of it, I never did understand that?

I stayed in the 5000 area which were small apartments with three recruits per room with a bathroom, four rooms on a floor and three floors per building. They had pits out front where you were allowed to study your SMART book and polish your boots. They were carpeted originally and then when that wore out they were tiled and had to be stripped, mopped and waxed every day.

It was cold down there and we still did PT in our shorts and tee-shirts but you warmed up quick enough don't worry. They ran you nearly everywhere except meals where you marched to chow and practiced Drill and Ceremony.

I was asked by an uncle if I would buddy enlist with my cousin of mine(his son) as he was getting cold feet after telling everyone he had enlisted and was thinking about backing out on his recruiter.

I agreed and went through Basic at age 24. My uncle took me aside and told me to listen good, let all the screaming and hollering go in one ear and out the other. Discern what was important and let the rest go. Don't make the same mistake twice unless you like push-ups. Don't take anything personal as it was never meant that way. I graduated at the top of my class got a Certificate of Excellence from my Training Battalion Commander and ended up making a career out of it.

My cousin? He never showed up at the airport and I went solo. He has regretted not doing what he said he was going to do and let me go instead. I have no regrets myself I learned a lot and enjoyed serving our country.

The very best of luck Sara in all that you do and keep in touch with Rally Point and let us know how it worked out for you. If we can ever answer a question for you we sure will try.