Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Posted on Feb 13, 2020
What can a 35 year old do to prepare for BCT (workout, diet, etc.)? What career advice do you have for someone wanting to become an officer?
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I am 35 years old and just enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. I've always wanted to enlist but I never did because I had family obligations that would not allow me too. I've spent the last 13 years caring for my legally blind sister and my niece. My nieces father died of a rare genetic cancer when she was two. So I've basically been a live-in uncle/dad who took care of the household. There was no other family to help or even wanted too. It’s a long story. So... Now that my sister is married to a man who fills that roll nicely. I am for a lack of a better term free to live my dreams. When I picture myself it's always in uniform I have always felt that is where I belong. Like it is what I was meant to do. (Idk maybe that sounds silly.) I am 6'2" and 218lbs. I am, what you would call pear-shaped, A.k.a. the dad bod. I am barely inside the regulations for the army national guard. I sit at 24% body fat according to a recent tape. The max is 25% I have an associates degree in Public Service with a focus on Public Law A.k.a. Constitutional Law. I want to become an officer. I spoke with my recruiter and I will have all the college credits to become an officer after BCT & AIT. I have always wanted to fly but due to my age that might be an issue. So I am thinking Crew Chief on a Blackhawk UH-60 is my best bet. I am looking for career advice and some instruction on what I can do to prepare for BCT. What workout specifically? What diet? I really want to excel at this and I am very eager to begin this chapter of my life. I have memorized the Army Values, Soldiers creed, Phonetic Alphabet, General Orders and am working on memorizing the Army song.
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Officer
Physical Training
Military Career
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 16
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Never again drink a “pop - soda - cola” drink!
Water helps any diet immensely. One grandson only reaches for a bottle of water when he comes to see me. (he is down from 340 to 270 and striving for 220 - at 6’-4”), he will be svelte!
You cannot make a mess if and when you spill water! It evaporates leaving no trace!!
Water helps any diet immensely. One grandson only reaches for a bottle of water when he comes to see me. (he is down from 340 to 270 and striving for 220 - at 6’-4”), he will be svelte!
You cannot make a mess if and when you spill water! It evaporates leaving no trace!!
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SGT (Join to see)
Wow that’s impressive. I am already drinking just water I do have unsweetened homemade tea sometimes but I drink 128oz of water a day minimum.
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SGT (Join to see)
I can do 40 push ups in 2min I run the 2 mile in 17min flat my max time allowed is 18 30something according to my recruiter. I have been trying for 60 pushups in 2min 50 situps in 2min and a 2 mile in 15min CSM Charles Hayden
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CSM Charles Hayden
SGT (Join to see) Sounds good! Do not over do any of this - look good - but have a little in the tank just in case.
The grandson, a brilliant kid, tried - was pushed too hard. Now he is recovering.
Now he realizes, he only needs to pass the class, “A”s require too much effort while he is working and surviving on his own.
Will an employer care - graduate / graduate with A’s??
The grandson, a brilliant kid, tried - was pushed too hard. Now he is recovering.
Now he realizes, he only needs to pass the class, “A”s require too much effort while he is working and surviving on his own.
Will an employer care - graduate / graduate with A’s??
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Top priority should be fitness and weight loss.
The max you mentioned is for recruiting. Your body fat allowance will be less I think when you get to a unit.
Anyways I don't know how the oklahoma guard operates, but OCS slots are competitive and no one will give you a shot if you arent competative in fitness, height, and weight.
That's also great leverage to get things you want once you are in. Start training deadlifts, sprints, and functional fitness generally. Google acft training and start prepping for the future fitness test.
I recommend a balanced diet.
Focus on self improvement and leverage that in the future.
The max you mentioned is for recruiting. Your body fat allowance will be less I think when you get to a unit.
Anyways I don't know how the oklahoma guard operates, but OCS slots are competitive and no one will give you a shot if you arent competative in fitness, height, and weight.
That's also great leverage to get things you want once you are in. Start training deadlifts, sprints, and functional fitness generally. Google acft training and start prepping for the future fitness test.
I recommend a balanced diet.
Focus on self improvement and leverage that in the future.
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SGT (Join to see)
I looked up the ACFT that was a difficult test. I can do all except the leg tuck. Those arms out push ups where pretty difficult as well. Now that I live alone I realize how bad of a cook I am. I am sticking to chicken fish and veggies as well as water and unsweetened tea. The active army regs say I should be 206lbs 200lbs is my ideal weight. I can’t hit that before basic but when I get there from what I understand from other advice is push myself and eat only what has a green label? They said I will know what that means when I get there.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) the Regs have your maximum weight at 211 lbs, 206 is for Soldiers between the ages of 21-27. You should focus on your body fat rather than weight. The Army's weight standards are very tight, for example: I'm 6'3", AR 600-9 says I should weigh no more than 217 lbs, I'm currently hovering around 255 without being fat, at 217 I look emaciated, I've passed tape as high as 270. Muscle weighs significantly more than fat, the ACFT requires more muscle mass than the APFT. Definitely focus on your diet, but keep in mind that what really matters is fat loss, not weight loss. At 35 your maximum allowed body fat is 24%, at 6'2" this represents a 23.5" difference between the circumference of your neck and waist, make sure that you manage this number above all other things. Best of luck!
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My husband and I have been doing Keto diet. I get it that a lot of people are against it, but I can say it does work and it works fast. My husband usually loses more than I do quicker. Definitely do your research but there are a lot of useful pages and sites out there. There are a lot of groups on Facebook and Instagram that have recipes and support. My husband likes it because he can eat meat and bacon.
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