Posted on Apr 10, 2017
Jordan Durland
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I am leaving for boot camp @ Fort Jackson on June 6. However, the letter my recruiter printed for me containing all of my enlistment information states that my "start" date is June 12.

What does this mean? What happens in between these dates?
Posted in these groups: Hqdefault Boot Camp347d23a4 Recruit
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Responses: 15
MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Edited 7 y ago
You will be at your Basic Training base. However, those 6 days from show to "start" are the days you will be in Reception. This will be where you will be issued uniforms, your ID, shots, glasses (if needed), and your SSN memorized....if you don't already. Once all your in-processing is done, then you will be picked up and taken to your Basic Training company.........where you will have a fun filled and glorious intro to your Drill Sergeants.
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SSG Steven Borders
SSG Steven Borders
7 y
MSG (Join to see) - Hah! That made me laugh.
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SSG Environmental Specialist
SSG (Join to see)
7 y
MSG (Join to see) - That sounds about right, I was there August of 92, and it was either a cattle truck or March that was the only two options. And as someone said they could fit allot of bodies onto one of those things.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
MSG (Join to see)
7 y
SSG (Join to see) - And gear........and weapons......
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SSG Environmental Specialist
SSG (Join to see)
7 y
All I can say there is not a weapons range more than 5 miles if that from the barracks at Jackson, and the two years I was there only one company marched out and that was their 7 day field exercise, so part of my range was to march out shoot and then move on, they came in groups of 7. Outside of that I never had or saw any unit march to anything farther than the mess hall.
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CPT Signal Officer
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Don't make the mistake of calling it "Boot Camp" to start. You'll be at reception until you start Basic. It is mostly administrative and in-processing. You're in limbo until you start BCT, so don't do anything to prolong your time there.
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
MSG (Join to see)
7 y
I was at reception for 15 days until we got our company full strength, that was navy , when we got what we needed we then moved to recruit training, but our indoctrination started at reception, and it was no different than boot, I could call it the warm up session prior to the real deal, and your right you mess up at reception, you could be there even longer waiting for the next class
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PFC Jonathan Albano
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Edited 7 y ago
Strictly speaking, your training will begin the moment you arrive. You just won't be in "basic training" until you are assigned to a training unit. The first few days of the dead time will mainly consist of a bunch of classes, paperwork, and getting your initial issue of gear. You will also have various immunizations and exams. Plus a haircut. Most of all, you will be introduced to the military's favorite game called "hurry up and wait."
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SSG Trevor S.
SSG Trevor S.
7 y
Excellent answer
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
PO3 Steven Sherrill
7 y
PFC Jonathan Albano I love "Hurry up and Wait" it is one of my favorite games of all time! It is a good thing they teach it at bootcamp, since it is a military tradition that crosses all branches.
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