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

Jordan Durland — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 20:59:21 -0400

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?

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Apr 10 at 2017 9:33 PM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 21:33:04 -0400

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."

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2017 9:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 21:43:21 -0400

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.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2017 10:35 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 22:35:05 -0400

Jordan Durland Listen closely to what you are instructed to do, and then follow these orders to the best of your abilities. You will have many adventures and challenges to look forward to. Good Luck.

http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/boot-camp-success-tips.html

8 Tips For Successfully Completing Basic Training

Step 9: Get ready for bootcamp Boot Camp Tips Before you go to boot camp, be sure you have taken care of the every-day issues in your life. Check with your recruiter if you have questions or are unsure about how to handle any of the following matters.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2017 10:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 22:50:43 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Apr 10 at 2017 10:58 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 22:58:55 -0400

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.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 10 at 2017 11:01 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 23:01:12 -0400

Congrats on deciding to serve. Good luck.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Apr 10 at 2017 11:58 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 23:58:27 -0400

You're lucky, Jordan Durland! I reported to the reception station at Fort Jackson on 28 October and I didn't start BCT until 11 November! Of course, that was in 1969, so I guess in processing has been significantly streamlined since then.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 11 at 2017 11:00 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:00:31 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 11:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:03:23 -0400

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.

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Apr 11 at 2017 11:28 AM

PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:28:13 -0400

Everyone has given you excellent answers but they all have stopped short of telling you what I feel is very important, what My father who was a Navy Chief told me before I went to my basic training. Remember its all a big Mind F*ck! Your DI's primary Job is to break you from doing stupid sh*t the way a Civilian does things, and teach you to do things the MILITARY way so when you get out to your ultimate destination you have a basic foundation to build on and can get acclimated to the new way of walking, talking and acting and ensuring you do not get killed! LISTEN and HEED what you are told and taught. there are reasons for everything and you can bet your BVD's that those reasons are written in blood! It does not matter if you will have a technical MOS or be infantry in a rifle company. If you let your head venture into the rectal canal at the wrong time, it may be the last thing you ever experience and it will really be a sh*tty sight.

You are about to embark on the greatest adventure you could ever imagine. If you play your cards right you can see places of the world that Civilians only dream of. Develop friendships and bond relationships that will last your whole life. Understand what it is to fight for and love the Republic in which you and your parents and grandparents were born, and possibly your relatives also served. You become part of a Brotherhood that is second to none, whether you stay in for 3 years or thirty, you will be a Veteran, and every other Veteran; Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard or Merchant Marine will be your Brother or Sister.

God Speed Jordan!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 11 at 2017 11:52 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:52:46 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Apr 11 at 2017 2:24 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 14:24:43 -0400

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.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 2:37 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 14:37:53 -0400

Jordan Durland I went to reception and basic training at Ft Jackson! Like others have said, it's a big game of hurry up and wait. It's like an assembly line of soldiers- wait in this long line to get 15 shots, wait in this long line to update your dependents and personnel records, another line for uniforms/PTs/boots, a trip to the PX to buy essential toiletries (they'll give you an allowance from your paycheck to cover it)... they'll issue glasses if you need them and do a bunch of medical and dental screening.
You'll wake up at 4am or earlier and not go to bed until 10pm. You'll spend a lot of time standing in formations, learning about facing movements and how to speak to your drill sergeants.
It sucks, but just like in basic training, remember they are messing with your head on purpose. Don't let them get to you and you'll be fine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2017 7:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 19:14:29 -0400

Man that week at reception was the longest week of my life....and then finding out I haven't even started the real first week of BCT ha-ha the memories.

Response by SSG Johnnie Vaughn made Apr 26 at 2017 8:04 PM

SSG Johnnie Vaughn — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 20:04:57 -0400

It has probably changed a lot since I got to Fort Benning a week before the main part of our OSUT class arrived (1978). I became intimately acquainted with the dutiful application of fluid-based pigmented suspensions to igneous and sedimentary masses used to delineate permissible walking paths. When we finished them, there were old barracks that needed similar application of said fluid. After that, there were bleachers that no longer matched the color of the igneous and sedimentary masses and barracks, so they received a coating as well.

On the plus side, our drill sergeants had an extra week to get to know us so they had an idea who would work hard and who would just do the minimum. Three of the first five leadership positions went to early birds. That week didn't "count" for course credit, but we still benefited from it.