Posted on Jul 10, 2015
Should basic training be the same across all Branches of service?
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While there are many similar needs between all branches of service, there are also some differences between all branches of service. So, let me pose a question to the question.... Is the marine Corps willing to give up the 10 weeks Basic Training AND give up the Crucible? Is the Navy willing to give up water training? Is the Army and Air Force willing to DO water training? Is the Air Force willing to do the high crawl/low crawl? I will answer this to some degree: Each branch has branch specific training requirements and/or traditions that they will not want to give up. Basic Training is also were each branch teaches their history (Long like the Army, Navy, MC, or short like AF). Unless you have some type of Basic Training that has "break out sessions" for branch specific training (ya, like THAT would work....) combining will not be an effective use of time, equipment, or funding.
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TSgt Thomas Monaghan
TSgt Thomas Monaghan - sorry typing error it should read "we do the low crawl in the USAF for the record" please disregard the above entry.
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Yes and No. If it was the same until a certain point. Basic was a nine week program then on to branch specific course...then yes I can see that. With the Joint fighting now a days it would help. BUT No because every branch has different missions.
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I agree, although I was disappointed with AF basic not even getting to shoot a real M16 but a modified 22lr I realized we really could not use that skill so it made sense not to waste $ on the training but it was disappointing to me.
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MAJ (Join to see)
They usually only do that in times of financial crisis. I believe in the mantra of "Train as You Fight" I do remember doing that in the very early eighties with the Army Reserve. I would be disappointed as well.
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Obvious answer is "Yes", but it may take years for the DOD services to meet the USCG standards.
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MAJ (Join to see)
The thing is Richard....there would be only one adopted standard for all. Some will come up, some will come down...but same across the board. I just think the services are too resistant to change...not a new story for any large organization...takes a lot of work, persistence and patience...which Nobody is willing to do...It will take an absolutely amazing leader to make happen...which we will likely never see...IMHO
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This question has already been answered by the services. The answer was no.
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MAJ (Join to see)
It would require a major Transformation....and Transformation is never easy, especially when you have Old Dogs running the show, with no vision for the future and set in their political ways. I believe it will have to change eventually.
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Basically; Basic Training is and should be the same with equal standards across services - make it the same to encourage equality in the uniformed services.
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
Much-appreciated Morris. We preach equality, yet only a few practice it; our law claims all are equal, yet treatment is with prejudice. Why preach, if we can't abide by our own words??
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I think it's an interesting question -- and superficially would seem to make sense. However, SrA Vong's response is well put -- our Services use our training to impart our Services' individual values to our trainees in ways that will make them fit in as they move into permanent party positions. As a guy who's had lots of Joint experience, I've found that our military's core concepts are shared throughout the military even though each initial training is different.
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Hell no, but I do think combat arms MOS skills Infantry, Artillery, Armor, Mortars, etc. should be a little higher though than say a Supply Sergeant or Human Resources person. I would like to see an additional PT test for COMBAT MOS where you are in full battle rattle because that fatigues you a lot quicker than PT in running shorts and t shirt. Yes, I know that sometimes a non combat MOS gets tasked out to do combat duties but for garrison, combat MOS should be at a higher level due to the more physical nature and endurance needed.
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In some ways yes as far as the discipline by all means but each Branch has it's own traditions which are equally important. Each Branch is assigned different duties in defending our nation. So in my opinion the training needs to be different.
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While there are some commonalities like drill, military courtesy, UCMJ, all service-wide procedures and benefits, the uniforms missions and service-unique traditions are different, therefore no.
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There are differences in basic training for each branch because each branch is vastly different. As a service member who has served in multiple branches, I have been fortunate enough to have a better understanding of those differences in operations then some and I am thankful that those differences are in place. No, basic training a crossed American military Armed Forces should not be the same. Leave history and tradition alone and let the trainers do what they are supposed to do; Train the troops with their respective branche's standards.
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I would say yes. I don't feel that any branch is hard enough. We should increase the standards and have everyone ready for the worse case scenario.
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No. The branches have different responsibilities. I went thru boot camp in the navy and basic training in the army. They were different then .This was in the middle 60's
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I will be genteel and not refer to the question as stupid. PT standards perhaps should be equal, but the training? Each branch has a specific mission to perform and the training performed should conform to that mission. I see little value in teaching a sailor who will be stationed on a destroyer how to envelop the enemy in a forest - or for that matter teaching a young Airman or Soldier how to properly fake a mooring line. If a servicemember is going to be assigned to a billet that requires some of that cross training then it should be provided. We can't all be Rambo, nor is it necessarily useful for everyone to be...
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Well first off.. have you seen marine training? As a Army soldier of 10 years.. screw that.. And I think the army more then exceeds in training.. But after seeing a Air force basic training.. I would agree that there should be a medium.. Lol but you know before you join.. Air force is easy.. army tough.. marines are insane lol.. And who cares about the navy.. all in all you make it what it is.. you get many options as a good soldier, and all branches have the option to truly test you.. But when it comes down to what you will actually be doing.. I'd consider each branch pt, fair.. you got to realise us army guys and marines.. tend to get hurt more in daily pt.. But we also have more physically demanding jobs.
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Great comments on the subject. I can only speak about the current Basic that the AF is offering. AF Basic is merely a period of time where the AF can get the recruits in uniform, shots, right from left, and maybe...maybe get some of the overweight airman down a few pounds. Perhaps some aspects of the other services could be incorporated into the AF Basic Day Camp. And perhaps making it a bit tougher might help weed out the malcontents and aid in reducing the suicide rate once they join the Force. Just a thought.
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If I was to vote as of today, I would say no. Each service branch has its own specific mission. (ie) AF=Defending the Air Space, ARMY=Securing the Ground, Navy=Defending the Sea/Waterways, MC=Special Operations/Amphibious Ops, CG=Defending Homeland Waterways. I think it would be how we define "Basic Training"...Physical Fitness, Weapons Training, Uniform Wear, Customs and Courtesies, Marching etc...not specific to one branch...///In the future, we may become "US FORCES" but I don't think that will happen; Military Occupations/Specialties are generally tailored "A little" to each specific branch: For example, A medic in the Air Force may have additional training in high-Altitude medicine; A Navy medic may have additional training in water injuries; An Army/MC medic have additional training in Environmental/Orthopedic/GSW injuries...OR you train all medics with all of these specialty areas.....I believe all Enlisted Medical Training now is at Fort Sam Houston for all branches. They did this with the Physician Assistant Program many years ago with success...
There will always be Service Pride...I don't care where you do your Service, I am just happy that you did it...No matter the Branch...SO....."Aim High, Army Strong, Semper Fi, Semper Paratus!!!!!"
There will always be Service Pride...I don't care where you do your Service, I am just happy that you did it...No matter the Branch...SO....."Aim High, Army Strong, Semper Fi, Semper Paratus!!!!!"
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NOPE!
WE all have different jobs to do, so Basic Traing must be taylored to that specific job, branch or service.
WE all have different jobs to do, so Basic Traing must be taylored to that specific job, branch or service.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Basic Training and AIT combined do that...."Basic Combat Training" is just that basic without any specific branch/job tasks...There are many tasks that should be exactly the same no matter the branch...for example...A class in M16 Familiarization should be no different from service to service.
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No, each service has different functions. What an AF trainee needs is far different from the needs of a Marine recruit. That’s the simple fact and nothing will change it.
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NO just now. USMC and Army end or training scenarios are ground combat relate. USN boot camp ends with a couple days in a shipboard, mock up, wit damage control, fire fighting, etc. What the Air Force ends with I do not know. THe USCG is a mixed bag, Sea going and law enforcement. I wonder what the Space Force boot camp will look like. Commander Frederick is correct,, one a sailor aways a sailor and once any of the others the same. The Canadians tried it, single uniforms, etc. and went back to separation of services.
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I agree with you.
We are all in the Military but we all train differently.
We are all in the Military but we all train differently.
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I am going to say no, heck even the Army has different standards for different MOS's. We should not have different standards but we do.
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They have been trying to develop the Super Soldier Military across the board since before my time.If you have the slightest imperfection such as hearing,vision or find irregularities you will be turned down or be asked to sign a waiver.With that said I believe they are looking for a higher standard in each military branch.Is a reform needed across the board I'm not the expert but times are changing.
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As far as discipline and being woke up with trash cans being smashed, things being thrown and lots of yelling, then yes. The Navy and Air force need to experience that then maybe they wont be so soft
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Each branch has its own needs.
While some things might be successfully "shared", there is too much that MUST be specialized for the Mission.
While some things might be successfully "shared", there is too much that MUST be specialized for the Mission.
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The content would be dependent to each of the services content and needs but the way is taught could use Marine methods and standards.
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no it is aarine corp thing only only the strong men can do what the marine corp traning we got and you have to be special to be a marine
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No. There is a reason for each branch to have the training that they provide. If wouldn't make sense to elongate the training at the Naval Training Centers to be equal to that of Marine Corps Recruit Depot. The Navy is training for an entirely different mission.
Same goes for Air Force and Army. They're training levels are based on what the mission is and also, in part, on tradition.
Let's hear it for the differences!
Same goes for Air Force and Army. They're training levels are based on what the mission is and also, in part, on tradition.
Let's hear it for the differences!
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Until each service needs the same thing out of each volunteer prior to reaching their operational unit, the answer will remain no. Everyone always talks about how the Marine Corp boot camp is so much harder. Well I would certainly hope it was harder when they are a much smaller force. Do not get me wrong, I love and respect the Corps, however I think people fail to remember that each service has their strategic place in the grand scheme of unified land, air, and sea warfare.
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