How hard is Basic?

Damien Maxwell — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:19:29 -0500

i'll be turning 18 this year in March and i plan on going in the National guard. i was wondering what can i expect in Basic and what can i do to prep myself.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 11 at 2019 11:47 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:47:46 -0500

Damien, I'll put it this way: a General said: "It was hell to go through. I would never go through it again; but I am glad that I went through it." (Words to that effect.) Damien Maxwell

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 11:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:52:06 -0500

You can expect to be challenged in a way you never have before. You can expect to be sleep deprived in a way you never have before. You can expect to become someone you never thought before. As for how to prepare yourself....do lots of physical training, read up as much as you can (you can find all kinds of info on Basic Training on the internet). One last thing, remember that as much as you think Basic sucks.....it will eventually end.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 11:55 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:55:44 -0500

Damien Maxwell Being in good physical shape is important along with having a good attitude. Listen closely and be observant. Be squared away and never quit. Be prepared for a culture shock, but with the right attitude, you can achieve anything. Please provide an update when you complete training.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/anybody-have-an-tips-on-basic-training-at-fort-benning

https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/becoming-a-soldier/basic-combat-training.html

Anybody have an tips on basic training at Fort Benning? | RallyPoint

I just enlisted into the national guard as a 19D. I leave for basic on April the 18th. I'm going to fort benning. Any tips or insights would be really appreciated.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Feb 11 at 2019 1:42 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 13:42:09 -0500

Great Question Damien. But the answer all depends on you. How good of shape are you in? How well do you listen. Can you follow instructions well. Can you work as a team. How motivated are you? All these things and many more will determine how hard basic will be for you. You have to look inside yourself and decide how big of a commitment your going to make to this. It can be one of the best things you have ever done, or it can be the worst experience of your young life. It will be hard, but anything that is really worth it is.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Feb 11 at 2019 2:21 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 14:21:10 -0500

It is relative based on personal perspective. Some find it easy, while others find it difficult. A few expectations to be aware of...

1. Physical exercise six days a week of either a morning session or a ruck march
2. Little to no access to personal electronics (i.e. cell phone) until graduation (outside communication is through paper letter writing)
3. Work closely alongside minorities along with female trainees and drill sergeants
4. Close quarters for sleeping and showering next to people of same gender

A few tips...

1. Exercise to be physically ready
2. Prepare family and friends for having little to no contact for a few months
3. Mentally prepare to have little to no privacy during training
4. Develop time management and organization skills to ensure you are prompt and ready for any of the day's training as a recruit
5. Behave respectfully and not commit racial or sexual misconduct

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 8:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 20:07:40 -0500

Be able to run a couple of miles. Don't be overweight. Expect to be tired, yelled at a bit, in a hurry, under some stress. Bazillions of people have done it before you. Lots will be doing it at the same time as you. It's very doable.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 10:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 22:43:58 -0500

All the other answers are correct.
Wish I could tell you to do some push ups, sit ups, and start running now, but the APFT is out the door soon. Those are all good starting points though.
Don’t smoke, do drugs, vap, or get in trouble w the law btwn now and then.
Realize once you get there, it’s all a mind game. The physical stuff might hurt a little at first, but that’s your body using muscles in new ways. It’s the realization that it’s all heart and mind over matter. The drill sergeants are there to break you down, throw all the bad habits out, and rebuild you....what you do with that after basic and AIT is up to you. How badly do you want to be a Soldier, get promoted, and succeed? With a team, bc it’s not an Army of one man alone.
Also, if you have ANY prejudices, against races, genders, religion, orientation, whatever, leave those at home and never look back at them.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2019 6:50 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 06:50:56 -0500

Basic is pretty much one big happy party time event. Everyone sits around a camp fire and tells stories while your Drill Sergeants bring you marshmallows to roast. You usually are on Facebook and social media for most the day besides the time you are eating your amazing food prepared by 4 star air force chefs. You usually wake up on your own around 1000 each day take a nice walk around post and high five every Drill Sergeant you see.

There are tons of post on Rally Point where this question has been asked just do a search. Just start preparing yourself physically and mentally for a nice challenge and a change of life for most young kids it is a culture shock..

Response by SPC Jeff Hogan, M.S., M.P.S. made Feb 12 at 2019 11:46 AM

SPC Jeff Hogan, M.S., M.P.S. — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 11:46:44 -0500

The fact that you are thinking about it explains that you are taking it seriously. As others have said it's subjective. The idea of basic is to test your breaking point so despite how physically fit you are-- the goal of the drill is to push that even further.

that doesn't mean don't prepare -- it just means you are going to experience muscle fatigue. period.

as another pointed out....forget about privacy. unless things have changed you are likely going to shower in your birthday suit with 30 other guys and you'll have about 4 or 5 minutes to do it.

your time is not owned by you. you'll be told where to be, when to be and how long to be.

it is more mental than physical.

you'll sleep with 30 other guys....and be woken up to flying trashcans at least twice. no matter how clean you keep your barracks...the drills will trash them at least twice....again, it's mental.

the bottom line is you can do it.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Feb 12 at 2019 12:39 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:39:32 -0500

Damien-every form of basic training has it's own unique challenges, but some things are fairly consistent, regardless of branch. If you're a strong runner already...that's good; if not, get at it. If your upper body strength is lacking, devote some time to building it, even if your running stays at the same level. You're going to lose weight most likely, so don't try to "cut" if you're already at a healthy weight. Remember that it's all a mental game...someone once said that courage is enduing for one moment more, and that's basically the key to 90% of it. The rest is learning to rely on, and be relied on by your team. You're going to make mistakes, get in hack, made to look/feel ridiculous...but so is everybody else. The key is to never try and go it solo, never stab your battle buddy in the back, and realize that every task, no matter how apparently mundane, is to teach you something. One last thing-completing Basic is a major step, but it's just the first of many such steps. Keep sharp, and on to the next. Best wishes.