Does a 42R recruit (Musician) who is going to Basic have any time during that training to practice, or is it only the standard training?

Saralyn Shone — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 21:01:23 -0400

Just collecting information. A musician generally practices several hours a day, and was wondering - if there is NO time for practice allotted during BT what the experience was like getting back into the routine?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2019 9:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 21:02:24 -0400

You won’t have time to play while in BCT

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Jul 22 at 2019 9:04 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 21:04:02 -0400

There will be no time to practice. I went through in '04, but I am sure that hasn't changed. Basic Combat Training is when you focus on your basic Soldierization. If you are proficient right now, you'll pick it back up pretty quickly when you get to AIT.

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Jul 22 at 2019 9:05 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 21:05:26 -0400

If you have any other questions, feel free to.message me, or better yet, ask your recruiting liason. They can get you the most current information.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2019 9:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 21:08:16 -0400

Unfortunately, I can tell you with absolute certainty that you will not have any time to practice while you’re at Basic training, nor will you be allowed to bring your instrument with you. However, it’s only 10 weeks long, and you will get 10 weeks to get your chops back at the school of music directly afterwards. They also have instruments for you to sign out at AIT if you require that.

I was frankly angry that I wasn’t able to practice at Basic training, but it really wasn’t that bad in hindsight. Also, I was able to get back into the swing of things on my instrument after about 3 or 4 weeks at AIT if my memory serves me right. And I think it took me longer than most people tbh.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 22 at 2019 9:30 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 21:30:59 -0400

You practice on your own time.

Response by Saralyn Shone made Jul 22 at 2019 11:07 PM

Saralyn Shone — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:07:53 -0400

Thank you to all who provided a response. Goal is to go focus 1000% on BCT and go from there. But the more you know in advance the better prepared you can be.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2019 3:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 03:07:27 -0400

No, I can 100% tell you that you will not be able to practice at BCT. Although, your AIT is aware that you will be “rusty” when you get there and will get you back on page.
Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2019 10:27 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 10:27:06 -0400

You'll get plenty of practice at your unit.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2019 11:08 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 11:08:56 -0400

You will not have time to practice your musical skills. Basic Training is focused on Warrior Task and Drills. It will be at AIT where you will get your musical practice.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2019 8:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 20:50:03 -0400

Nope. No practice time. You'll need every bit of your attention focused on how to be a soldier. 10 weeks isn't going to take you back to square one. It took me about a week and a half to get back to practicing the way I was used to. Congratulations on your decision to join the best army on the planet!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2019 11:02 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 23:02:08 -0400

No, you do not have any time to practice. You should look into choosing music that you can hold on to skill-wise while you're away. That way when you do go to AIT #School of Music, you'll be able to pick that music back up pretty easily. It won't be terribly hard to get back into the routine of things, but that is only if you pick music accordingly.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2019 9:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 21:52:57 -0400

I am a 42R and was active duty starting in 2005. It's not bad getting back into routine. I'm a pianist so I volunteered to play piano at chapel services at BCT in order to at least play some. No other time to practice at BCT, once the Soldier gets to the School of Music they will have tons of time to practice. I'm sure a brass player could somehow smuggle a mouthpiece into the barracks at basic to do some chop practice before lights out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2019 12:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 12:29:24 -0400

They will not have access to instruments to practice on during basic training. Once they graduate basic training and report to the Army School of Music, it’s practice practice practice. The school is predicated around practice time.