Posted on Aug 20, 2020
What has changed in basic training over the last 20 years? How will the 37 year old me see things differently than I did at 17?
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It appears that because of my break in service, I will be attending Basic Training 20 years after graduating from Fort Benning. What has changed in 20 years? Will it be mostly the same? How will 37 year old me see things differently than I did at 17?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Posted in these groups: 
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Recruiting
Prior Service
Basic Combat Training (BCT) Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Recruiting Prior Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Oh you're going to see.....A WHOLE LOT has changed. I think it's going to throw you for a loop. There's a whole lot of stuff that was the norm back then during the time of your first go-round that simply will not fly nowadays. Everything has gotten a lot more politically correct and sensitive now than what you experienced back then....and add all of the COVID-19 stuff also!! Your experience is going to be vastly different.
You've got a huge advantage over these young kids, though. You likely have the mental and emotional resilience that come with age, wisdom and years of experience. Things that would likely throw these young ones off will likely not even phase you in the least. Things that seem to be of great importance to them will likely be trivial and uninteresting to you.
Just help guide them while staying off the radar!! And keep pushing for us old guys!!
You've got a huge advantage over these young kids, though. You likely have the mental and emotional resilience that come with age, wisdom and years of experience. Things that would likely throw these young ones off will likely not even phase you in the least. Things that seem to be of great importance to them will likely be trivial and uninteresting to you.
Just help guide them while staying off the radar!! And keep pushing for us old guys!!
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC Josh Tharp - He probably means the level of nonsense the Drills will dish out to you. Vulgarity might be completely absent. The physical aspect of it might be different. In fact I just realized the SMOKE sessions will probably be geared toward ACTF events, and more core strength.
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SPC Josh Tharp
CPT (Join to see) Does that mean they move more quickly to administrative type corrective action? I'd rather just a good smoke session
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC Josh Tharp - I can't say, but also remember even administrative, unless it's iPerm'd it's not following you.
I mean the Drills didn't even connect their lies. They said negative action will follow us in our file, but when we finished TRADOC we literally were handed our file and told to take it to our unit when we get to it. So I'm thinking only in IDIOT wouldn't pull out any negative counselings in said file. The ONLY things a "smart" soldier would carry forward is MOSQ certification, awards, orders, and medical profiles you want to make sure you get disability credit for.
Kids just don't know "administrative" actions are only for your current unit to line up the ducks to hammer you harder in the future. The trick is not doing anything stupid enough to get iPerm'd.
What I'm saying is I hope they smoke them instead.
I mean the Drills didn't even connect their lies. They said negative action will follow us in our file, but when we finished TRADOC we literally were handed our file and told to take it to our unit when we get to it. So I'm thinking only in IDIOT wouldn't pull out any negative counselings in said file. The ONLY things a "smart" soldier would carry forward is MOSQ certification, awards, orders, and medical profiles you want to make sure you get disability credit for.
Kids just don't know "administrative" actions are only for your current unit to line up the ducks to hammer you harder in the future. The trick is not doing anything stupid enough to get iPerm'd.
What I'm saying is I hope they smoke them instead.
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1LT (Join to see)
In my experience it depends on the people you're dealing with. Some can skirt their way around the rules because they know their leadership will back them up regardless. I've seen more corrective action than administrative correction done to others....I guess it'd depend on the situation.
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I was in Basic at age 39.
Don't compete. I know you were in before, and it was my first time, but there were three others older than me when I was in all of them broke. While not the "oldest" in TRADOC, I was the oldest that graduated without injury or medical separation.
The goal is checking the box. The kids don't know that. They are all horny rabbits and trying to hook up. They just don't take in wisdom that isn't be given to them from the front leaning rest.
Just enjoy the rare opportunity to observe that life defining experience the kids are getting, that you are probably going to feel left out from.
I would suggest you try and reflect on your younger years and compare this coming experience. Do you have a memory of holding your Drill SGT's in high regard??? I didn't. I sort of didn't even respect some of them at all. They would lord their rank and power over us, but I'm standing there thinking "dude, I'm less than a year away from promotion eligibility to the very rank you hold, and I just got in, just what exactly have you been doing with your time while in".
Whereas, if I was 17 I wouldn't have that mind set. An E5 would seem like a GOD to an E1.
I envy the experience you are going to have. I didn't have a BEFORE and AFTER experience of Basic Training.
Don't compete. I know you were in before, and it was my first time, but there were three others older than me when I was in all of them broke. While not the "oldest" in TRADOC, I was the oldest that graduated without injury or medical separation.
The goal is checking the box. The kids don't know that. They are all horny rabbits and trying to hook up. They just don't take in wisdom that isn't be given to them from the front leaning rest.
Just enjoy the rare opportunity to observe that life defining experience the kids are getting, that you are probably going to feel left out from.
I would suggest you try and reflect on your younger years and compare this coming experience. Do you have a memory of holding your Drill SGT's in high regard??? I didn't. I sort of didn't even respect some of them at all. They would lord their rank and power over us, but I'm standing there thinking "dude, I'm less than a year away from promotion eligibility to the very rank you hold, and I just got in, just what exactly have you been doing with your time while in".
Whereas, if I was 17 I wouldn't have that mind set. An E5 would seem like a GOD to an E1.
I envy the experience you are going to have. I didn't have a BEFORE and AFTER experience of Basic Training.
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SPC Josh Tharp
Thanks for your feedback! I really did have a positive opinion of the Drill Sergeants during my time at Basic Training the first time. They were a really wonderful group of men. I've spent the last few weeks brushing up on skills I have forgotten through non-use trying to get myself ready for Basic Training - in addition to working on improving my physical fitness.
What do you mean when you say don't compete?
What do you mean when you say don't compete?
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC Josh Tharp - Physically. Don't try and be faster, don't try and be stronger. That's how I saw those in my age group breaking down. The kids will hold you up as a bar (maybe even you more so because your prior service years let you get in even older than now allowed) and they will indirectly challenge you. You know as well as I that the only thing in basic training that matters is the Army Standard and Go/No-Go.
The kids will think EVERYTHING matters. You are not that kid any more.
The funnest thing was letting the kids imaginations run wild. Some thought I was CID.
BE SURE TO WEAR THE CORRECT ASU at graduation. Put on the ribbons, put on the unit crests, ect..... That's when you get to remind them............ I wish I could have been that guy. Also, keep a copy of 670-1 and your last DD214 in your pocket backing everything up.
TECHNICALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! USAR and NG can WEAR UNIT PATCHES in BCT (but don't be THAT guy).
The kids will think EVERYTHING matters. You are not that kid any more.
The funnest thing was letting the kids imaginations run wild. Some thought I was CID.
BE SURE TO WEAR THE CORRECT ASU at graduation. Put on the ribbons, put on the unit crests, ect..... That's when you get to remind them............ I wish I could have been that guy. Also, keep a copy of 670-1 and your last DD214 in your pocket backing everything up.
TECHNICALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! USAR and NG can WEAR UNIT PATCHES in BCT (but don't be THAT guy).
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Just do what your told and focus on completing the training, just like the first time. Prepare for the teenage drama and the occasional Drill SGT drama.
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