Is basic training in the Army the same no matter what fort you go to?

2018-04-29T23:37:52-04:00

So I've heard that basic training is the same (as far as what you learn or how hard it is) wherever you go (Leonard wood, Benning, Sill, Jackson). Then I've heard others say that basic is harder at Benning or that it is harder at Sill than the other forts. So is basic training different, easier, or harder depending on which fort you go to basic at or are they all pretty much the same?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2018 11:57 PM

2018-04-29T23:57:35-04:00

PVT Private RallyPoint Member It does not matter. Your experience will be different than someone else's. Have a good attitude, listen closely and be observant, help your fellow recruits, and put forth maximum effort. Do these things, and you will be fine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 1:06 AM

2018-04-30T01:06:20-04:00

“Hard” is in the eye of the beholder. There will be people that tell you Ft. Jackson was brutal. In fact, soldiers wash out of BCT there every cycle. There will be people that tell you Ft. Benning is a a cake walk. In fact, soldiers graduate from BCT there every cycle.
Anywhere you do basic, you’ll eat three times a day, you’ll get yelled at a lot, and you’ll run and do push-ups. Youll do BRM. You’ll get out of it what you put into it. It’s easy in a lot of ways. You never have to ask why. Do what you’re told, when you’re told... cant go wrong. Realize that basic training is a big mind game, designed to keep you stressed out. For the first few weeks, nothing you do will be right. Period. One fun game they might play is as follows. They’ll give your platoon outlandish tasks to complete. For example, “you all have 9 minutes to change into PT gear. Bring 3 black pens, a notepad, your 2-quart, and an extra short sleeve t shirt.” Your 40 person platoon will scatter like ants, and 21 minutes later, maybe half will have gotten the mini ‘packing list’ correct. “Ok you barbarians, half right, face. Front leaning rest position, move”

After a hearty little smoke-sesh, you’ll start again. The DS will give a new list and new uniform. Repeat this process. And heaven help you if somehow miraculously your platoon returned under the time limit in the proper uniform with all the mandated items. “Well good golly shit! You privates obviously have too much free time.” Then prepare for an impossible task with an impossible time limit.

Situations like these are designed to get acclimated to working under stress. Not freaking out under stress. Accepting the commands of superiors without questions, even if they seem ridiculous, under stress. In week 5 of the Army, you’re being told to change into stupid uniforms, and perform seemingly ridiculous tasks. But that’s laying the mental framework so that eventually, when you’re in year 5 of the Army, and you’re being told to kick in a door or told to go man the OP for a few days, you do it without question.

I have a hunch there might be a few responses like, “ back in my day...”. “Benning is way harder...” “relaxin Jackson..” etc. but again, no matter where you go, the APFT standards are the same Army wide. 53 push-ups in Oklahoma are the same as they are in Georgia or South Carolina. But you get out of it what you put into it. If you want it to be hard, it’ll be hard. If you want it to be easy, accept the fact that it’s going to uncomfortably suck, and make it as easy as possible. Shut up, do what you’re told, take advantage of the free personal training you receive, and learn as much as you can. The Army wants you to succeed. Do what your Drill Sergeants say, and you most very likely will.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 1:28 AM

2018-04-30T01:28:12-04:00

Yes and no. There are differences, but the training is essentially the same. To highlight a difference, I went to Benning and my brother went to Sill. We had to dig ranger graves and fox holes, he didn't. They had some rule about not disturbing the environment for whatever reason. Also he had females, I didn't. Though I understand that has changed. I can tell you, you don't want to be in Benning in January, the suck is unreal sitting in that cold. That said, Sill in winter isn't much better. It's all flat land, nothing to block the icy wind.

Doesn't matter where you go, push hard, keep your head on a swivel, do as instructed, and drive on through it. It's difficult but only as hard on you as you make it on yourself. Tell yourself you can do it and you can. It's meant to suck, and they all suck differently, and they all suck the same.

Welcome to the Army.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 30 at 2018 5:46 AM

2018-04-30T05:46:10-04:00

A lot depends on the D I's, some are tougher then others on training recruits, some a more laid back.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 8:41 AM

2018-04-30T08:41:28-04:00

It's fairly standard. My battle buddies from Sill and Benning tell me some stories from basic that sound rough, but I tell them stories from my basic and they say they would've quit. Just depends on the individual's will to succeed and who your drill sergeants are.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 9:55 AM

2018-04-30T09:55:48-04:00

No it is not the same, some things are similar but from what I've expierenced around is not everyone did what I did, or I didn't do what they did.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 30 at 2018 10:21 AM

2018-04-30T10:21:34-04:00

OK- normally for most MOS's it is OSUT(One Station Unit Training). example all 11B's go to Benning BCT then move across post for AIT. How tough is it depends of the MOS, and the Post location (temperature, humidity, etc.) Basic tho is Basic- everyone learning the same basic soldier skills at every training Post- major difference comes at AIT, where you learn you basic MOS skills.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 1:17 PM

2018-04-30T13:17:10-04:00

try leonard wood in dec jan feb of 64 with cadre recruite out of special forces .ft ord was closed due to spinal meningitis . cadre all quarantined. they grabbed a bunch of special forces guys to be our cadte. quite the experience. mine was an e7 with 12 yrs worth of service stripes .never forget sgt leatherwood. damn good di.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 1:48 PM

2018-04-30T13:48:37-04:00

Every story I have heard about Jackson is the same - and it sounds extremely easy. FFS I heard someone talk about a pizza party...in basic. I have heard it's more relaxed at Jackson but I never went there. I went to Leonardwood. Sill was all male until a few years ago or several. I'm not sure exactly when that went co-ed. My one younger brother went to Sill when it was all male still. The oldest brother went to Knox. His was all male I believe. I think I and my younger brother were a lot more mentally prepared (and probably even physically) then my oldest brother. I think my oldest brother should have stayed in - he always needed someone to basically tell him what to do. But I guess it eventually worked out for him when he met his wife. She straightened him out and got him to quit drinking.

It just depends on the person. Ultimately it's a mind fuck so if you can't figure that out you're screwed no matter where you go.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 30 at 2018 4:32 PM

2018-04-30T16:32:26-04:00

It is the same. The difference is in the leadership from location to location. The standards of the DS is directly impacted by their grooming in the military. It is impossible to have even basic standards be identical standards. The training requirements and subjects are the same. Individual leaders have an impact on outcomes. This is evident, even from Platoon to Platoon. Thank you for considering service.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 6:11 PM

2018-04-30T18:11:54-04:00

Your experience can vary a lot even within the same battalion. On the Sunday night before we left, my company was cleaning the hell out of the AO and our bays while the company next to us was watching the Super Bowl on a projector out in their normal formation area. Every fort, battalion, company, and platoon is hard in its own way. The standards vary quite a bit between individual DS, just embrace the suck and get through it, it'll be over before you know it. It won't be the "same" but everyone hated it regardless.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 9:11 PM

2018-04-30T21:11:02-04:00

I was expecting something far more difficult than I encountered as a private. It was a challenge never the less. But I guess I had seen too many movies.
Can't really say if it's harder or easier than any other location. I can say I was PT'd harder in AIT than Basic

Response by SGT Casey Cope made Apr 30 at 2018 10:49 PM

2018-04-30T22:49:44-04:00

Harmony Church at Ft. Benning. Tough training in the old world war 2 barracks

Response by SPC Adam Tebrugge made May 1 at 2018 12:43 AM

2018-05-01T00:43:11-04:00

Went to Jackson back in 97. I thought it was cake, but some struggled badly. Mostly those that couldn't follow directions or knew an "easier" way. Their lives sucked.

Response by A1C Shawn Gutierrez made May 1 at 2018 1:09 PM

2018-05-01T13:09:39-04:00

Each unite for training is different. Some run every day some don’t run tell DPFT.
And some units are called harder in areas

Response by SGT Aric Lier made May 2 at 2018 6:40 AM

2018-05-02T06:40:17-04:00

I will say to ask one person from each place of training "how do you make the grass grow green?"
there is only one correct answer to this question

Response by SP5 Fred Mortlock made May 2 at 2018 4:05 PM

2018-05-02T16:05:29-04:00

It is what it is AT THE TIME. It ALL depends on YOUR ATTITUDE. If you THINK it's difficult..... IT WILL BE!!!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2018 12:35 PM

2018-05-04T12:35:11-04:00

Fort Jackson has the hardest and it’s a proven fact because they are the only Fort that does “The Forge.” It’s a 50+ miles ruck March that lasts 3 days and something odd hours. With lil to no down time for resting, with extra activities added on

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2018 12:32 PM

2018-05-06T12:32:53-04:00

It's all a matter of perspective to be honest. Hard in the Army is a relative term as what may seem hard to you is easy for others. For example: doing push-ups, situps and a 2 mile was easy for plenty of people in my BCT company, yet they struggled with "The Forge" and all the rucking. Whereas the rucking was easy for me, the 2 mile was rough.

Fort Jackson tends to be the innovator of basic training so all new standards flow from there. This tends to be a problem some times because the Drill Sergeants tend to not be fully prepared. At Benning, of what I have heard, you get dropped a lot more.

Your primary worries should be with studying your verbals, doing what you are told and staying positive. Fake it till you make it.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2018 2:40 PM

2018-05-06T14:40:57-04:00

In my bct at leonardwood was harder for people from warmer climates and lower elevation. It all depends on where your from and what kind of physical activity your used to.

Response by PVT Rhea Pruitt made May 14 at 2018 11:48 AM

2018-05-14T11:48:48-04:00

No one person can say that one place is harder or easier than the rest. You see, there is no way for one person to compare other basic training stations because you only attend basic one time. Now, there are different types of training that may seem harder because you have basic and AIT all at once. But as for just basic training, the training is pretty standard across the board. It's up to you how hard or easy you're going to make it on yourself.

Response by SPC Anthony Fortier made May 20 at 2018 12:37 PM

2018-05-20T12:37:41-04:00

Just do what your told and it will be a cake walk. It's not as hard as it was ten years ago when they could actually put their hands on you

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 21 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-05-21T12:45:25-04:00

The basics are the basics, but its really hard to say what's "harder", as you wont find too many people who went--start to finish--through multiple "basics" at multiple posts (and over different eras as things do change over time). You may find a couple reclassers, though they usually are dropped into the AIT portion or you may find people from different branches; that kind of thing.

Now if you happen to find THAT poor soul who did multiple (Day1 to Graduation) Army "basics" at multiple posts over different eras, by all means buy them a cold beer, they more than eared it!

Generally speaking, the combat arms initial entry training has a reputation of being particularly tough. I'll say my OSUT was no cake walk. But is it "harder" than what an Army cook or truck driver might go through for example? I can't say with any authority or experience one way or another, but for what its worth, my suspicion is it was, but who knows?

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made May 21 at 2018 2:02 PM

2018-05-21T14:02:32-04:00

All basic is pretty much the same. It all depends on how you take it. The Army is there to break you down and build you back up into a soldier. All basic training units are in the South. So depending on where you are from certain times of year can make Basic more brutal than others. I am from North Idaho and had basic at Benning, but from November-February. so weather wasn't bad. When I came back from Germany I went back to Benning for 2 years and the summer months were tough for me.

Response by PVT Paul Vaughan made Jun 14 at 2018 10:52 PM

2018-06-14T22:52:16-04:00

I dont know but most likely I went to Fort Sill in 04 then fort bliss and it was tuff But I mad it you can to keep your head up you will do fine.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2019 10:35 AM

2019-05-05T10:35:05-04:00

That really can’t be answered I went to BCT at Benning in 1998 I have no idea what it was like anywhere else, people just want to believe their basic was the hardest .

Response by PFC Russell Ironring made May 20 at 2019 4:47 AM

2019-05-20T04:47:18-04:00

I went to Ft. Sill, Nov. 27, '90. I'm a HUNKPAPA Lakota Native from STANDING ROCK TRIBE in ND. EVERYONE has an OPINION on BCT. I went to a Native boarding school for 4 years. I was accustomed to the military style of living, without the Drill Sgt and loud talking