Posted on Jul 10, 2015
What can you tell me about basic training at Fort Benning?
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I am one month away from Infantry OSUT at fort benning. I ship out August 11th. I would like any information about basic training or advice about basic training or even reception which I will be at reception for 10 days. Maybe even some things I should do to prepare physically or any information I should study beforehand. I am NG so I've been to 3 drills so far and this weekend is my 4th and last so I'll be blue phase for those of you that went thru rsp. I also have the soldier's blue book so I'm looking thru that. My apft score is 288, my only problem being the run but maxing everything else. I would also like some tips to increase my apft score.
11B: Infantryman
Army National Guard
Advice
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 43
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I graduated last August and my advice to you is just to accept that it will suck. There will be moments where you question yourself but just make sure you sorround yourself with solid guys. You don't want to be that guy that hangs out with the guy always getting smoked.
Before I shipped I used to read stuff like "never volunteer for anything" but if you're a natural leader you'll know when to take charge when others mess up . Yes being in a leadership position won't mean anything once you're at your unit but it gets you going in the right direction mentally.
Also, you're going to deal with a lot of guys with different backgrounds and different values so getting a long with everyone and avoiding drama was one thing a lot of people struggled with at basic for some reason. I'm from NYC so I guess I was used to the diversity.
Last but not least enjoy your time there. You get to a point in blue phase where you almost enjoy getting smoked . You begIn to catch on to the Drill Seargants games and it's pretty entertaining lol
Before I shipped I used to read stuff like "never volunteer for anything" but if you're a natural leader you'll know when to take charge when others mess up . Yes being in a leadership position won't mean anything once you're at your unit but it gets you going in the right direction mentally.
Also, you're going to deal with a lot of guys with different backgrounds and different values so getting a long with everyone and avoiding drama was one thing a lot of people struggled with at basic for some reason. I'm from NYC so I guess I was used to the diversity.
Last but not least enjoy your time there. You get to a point in blue phase where you almost enjoy getting smoked . You begIn to catch on to the Drill Seargants games and it's pretty entertaining lol
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CPL Larry Garrett
I loved basic. I was OSUT and COHORT. B-42 Harmony Church 1987. Just remember when your pulling extra duty at the drill sergeant academy......you don't have to go to parade rest.
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CPL Larry Garrett
Don't have to go to parade rest for every sergeant you pass. When I asked why , I was simply told they were not officially rolls yet. Took me 15 minutes to get to chow that was only a block and a half away. LET'S LOL
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Suspended Profile
Make sure you volunteer every time the drill asks for one. And if you have your mom send the drills some cookies, they will give you preferential treatment.
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If you're an honest 288 now, your PT score may actually go DOWN in basic if you don't work on it on your own. I would suggest keeping it as high as you can. When you get to your unit, they won't know much about you other than scores, so it can't hurt your first impression for scores to look good.
Also, an old guy's advice for you: Consider doing at least one enlistment on active duty. It's an experience you'll remember for your whole life and the only people I ever see regretting it pretty much do that to themselves. Even if you have other life plans, 4 years is a REALLY short time on the scope of a lifetime.
Also, an old guy's advice for you: Consider doing at least one enlistment on active duty. It's an experience you'll remember for your whole life and the only people I ever see regretting it pretty much do that to themselves. Even if you have other life plans, 4 years is a REALLY short time on the scope of a lifetime.
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PVT Angelo Velez
I want to try and keep a 300 throughout basic so if I am actually given time to do pt on my own, I will do pt.
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I'm actually going to go against the conventional wisdom and tell you to go in as a blank slate. Ready yourself physically, of course, but don't spend time trying to learn D&C, tactics, BRM on your own. They will show you the way they want you to do it, and unless you are personally training properly out of the newest army doctrine, "bad habits" can be hard to break. Get your mind right, and make sure your affairs are in order at home before you leave so that you won't be worried about things while you're gone. It's going to suck, but I think most of us that have been in awhile will tell you that, if given the chance, we would do it again right now. Good luck to you!
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SSG (Join to see)
I'm with CPT (Join to see) on this one. Go in pretending you know nothing. Let them teach you the way they want to see it. Keep your opinions to yourself and stay out of the drama that will come up between the other trainees. Keep pushing yourself on the run until you ship, and keep doing what you're doing for push-ups and sit-ups.
More than anything, I want to point out what he said about getting your mind right. That's the key to almost anything in the military. If you're mentally prepared, nothing can stop you. You're going to feel physically broken down, like you can't do another pushup or flutter kick. But if you're mental game is on point, you'll be the last one that quits every time.
More than anything, I want to point out what he said about getting your mind right. That's the key to almost anything in the military. If you're mentally prepared, nothing can stop you. You're going to feel physically broken down, like you can't do another pushup or flutter kick. But if you're mental game is on point, you'll be the last one that quits every time.
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PVT Angelo Velez
I am actually very prepared. I have a good apft score, I know D&C, and a little bit of land navigation along with the soldier's creed, rank structure and the basics. In rsp, they taught us a lot and we have soldiers that just came back from basic and ait and also 11Bs so they told me what to expect. While active and reserve soldiers and learning some things for their first time, I already learned it to some point. CPT (Join to see) SSG (Join to see)
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CPT (Join to see)
You didn't learn much from the SSG's comments, did you Velez? I will make it clear, be humble, ignore what you think you know, shut up and listen to what the DI's are trying to teach you.
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CPL Stanley Oos
I think you missed their point here a bit. Go in physically and mentally ready, but the "knowing" D&C and such, let them teach you. Don't go in being cocky acting like you know everything, just because you read a book, nobody likes that guys. Plus to add we didn't do jack w D&C while I was there. We're infantryman, we arent paid to look pretty, we're trained to kill and protect our brothers on our left and right. W that being said, the guy who said to go in being a team player is spot on. That's how you get through basic. Keep your head down, mouth shut unless spoken to and ears and mind turned on.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Check early on to see if you are allowed to standup WHEN you get drowsy in a classroom!
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MSG (Join to see)
If you are allowed to do PT during your time at 30th AG (Reception), they are not going to let you do it on your own. I didn't do any individual or organized PT while I was in reception unless it was instructed to do so by a Drill Sergeant inside the bays. You being a new Soldier who wants to do your own PT is highly desirable. Keep your mindset to be physically fit and live with the structure of OSUT when you are there.
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CPT (Join to see)
PT is great but you won't have time for much in reception other than what you are told to do by Cadre. Relax, don't be too eager to stand out by drawing attention to yourself. Be motivated, on time, and understand that Basic Training is just that, a place where you learn the basics of being a soldier. As far as proving your run time, do splits (example run 1/4 mile at a really comfortable pace then sprint 1/4 mile at the desired pace to max run in your age group.
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All I can tell you is don't be that individual that's thinks for him self be a team player and always look out for your battle buddies, but make sure your squared away first. Also be at the right place right time right attitude and right uniform and you will be g2g.
Don't leave things for last minute of you have to take charge at time do so don't be scared to be a leader of you know what you are about to is is the right thing.
Don't half ass nothing you do always put your best and stay motivated.
VERY IMPORTANT
YOU SHOULD LEARN
SOLDIERS CREED
INFANTRYMAN CREED
WARRIOR ETHOS
ARMY SONG
LEARN THE RANKS AND HOW THE CHAIN OF COMMAND WORKS.
Besides that if anyone else has anything to add by all means let's help this soldier in transition to become a great one !!
Queen of battle
Don't leave things for last minute of you have to take charge at time do so don't be scared to be a leader of you know what you are about to is is the right thing.
Don't half ass nothing you do always put your best and stay motivated.
VERY IMPORTANT
YOU SHOULD LEARN
SOLDIERS CREED
INFANTRYMAN CREED
WARRIOR ETHOS
ARMY SONG
LEARN THE RANKS AND HOW THE CHAIN OF COMMAND WORKS.
Besides that if anyone else has anything to add by all means let's help this soldier in transition to become a great one !!
Queen of battle
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SGT (Join to see)
More than anything else... I repeat, slightly altered, what the SPC said.. don't be a loner and don't ever act like you are better than others. Being a solid teamplayer os what get's you through things.. it even applied at WLC. What you put in is what you get out.
And lastly, you'll be fine.
And lastly, you'll be fine.
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Push-ups, sit-ups, and running....lots of it. They'll try to break you down but show determination and some motivation and you'll be fine. I went 08/12 it was hell on earth but I'd do it again if I could
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From what I understand about Infantry School, besides your APFT scores and warrior tasks, learn learn learn the Creed of the Infantry.
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Basic will be filled with a lot of team and individual challenges. Just keep your head up, even when you fail. There will be times that you will be set up to fail so make sure you pay attention. Listen to your drill instructors, they are not new at this and they will always have something to teach you. PT scores are the least of your worries.
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Suspended Profile
Just keep a level head. Learn to work together. Make friends. Depend on them. Freaking volunteer for everything! Dont try to be buddy buddy with your drill sergeant. Ask them questions but by no means suck up to them or try to be their friend. Keep that score up. Reception is the worst part. I was there for 14 days. It gets boring and trust me, you'll want to quit. Other than that just be eager to train.
Suspended Profile
Volunteer for everything you can. If the drill instructor asks for a volunteer raise your hand!
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