What happens between the day I "leave" for boot camp and the date I "start" boot camp?

Records verification, shots for any missed at the induction center, uniforms issued, field gear issued, weapons assigned and issued, barracks assigned, bunk assigned etc. Maybe put in a squad or company sized element temporarily until your training cycle begins. Practice salutes, facing movements, review your chain of command if its known who your DI'd will be.

The Air Force calls it "week zero." You get in processed to the Service. Physicals, uniforms, drug testing, lots of running about and standing in line. Probably lots of physical training. Very regimented activities intended to keep hundreds of young, healthy people busy until the real training starts in week one.

Those days will be the beginning of your introduction to military life. Most of the time will be spent with paperwork, immunizations, issue of uniforms, and other administrative in-processing. "Hurry up and wait" will a concept you become intimately familiar with, as well.

Depending on when the training cycle actually begins, you may be in a "hold" status for a few days when you arrive at your training unit as well. In the end, though, it is all training in one form or another. Pay attention, do as you're instructed, look out for your fellow Soldiers, and you'll do just fine.

It depends on where you are and how long it takes you to get there. I went to Fort Leonardwood and am from Nebraska (but for some reason I had to go to Sioux Falls MEPs instead of Omaha). So I got on a plane in Sioux Falls and flew to Missouri. Then got on a bus to Leonardwood.

Then I was in reception for a week. That's where you do all the in processing, get your uniforms, etc. I can't remember what it said on my paperwork as report date. My BASD is 21 July. That might be the day I actually started basic. It's kind of a blur now.

Typically it's "receiving". You get issued your gear. Do your little drug tests. You initial physicals and dental work. Get issued glasses if you need it. Typically the first week is purely receiving.

That doesn't mean you'll get off easy. There will still be lots of yelling and running around and move as fast as you can. But training typically doesn't occur until you get picked up by your actual drill instructors.