Who can share some more OSUT tips to help me prepare?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 18:56:29 -0400

Alright, i know ive asked tips for the army on how to succeed. Ive asked infantry does and do nots. Now im asking, what are some ways i can prepare for osut training at ft benning. Other than PT, other ways i can train/prepare for the grueling 16 weeks ahead of me. If i should do more PT, what kind. From personal experience, what is mainly focused on at FT benning. Some friends and a DS told me about heartbreak/ cardiac hill but is there anything else? Should i focus mainly on cardio and then should i do sprints to work speed or endurance by doing long distance? Sorry if ive asked too many questions. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Response by SGT Anthony Bussing made Jun 7 at 2015 6:59 PM

SGT Anthony Bussing — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 18:59:30 -0400

do as much PT as you can....study your general knowledge (general orders, army song, riflemans creed(if the army says that, I dont know) things like that...

as for PT...do both endurance running as well as speed...push ups, pullups, sit ups...all that stuff...

but the biggest thing to remember...no matter what the hats say to you...call you...imply about your gender, sexuality whatever...its all a head game...all the "smoke pit" trips and whatnot...its just a game...its an means to an end...it aint nothing personal

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Jun 7 at 2015 7:03 PM

CW2 Stephen Pate — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 19:03:04 -0400

I'm sure you've heard the basics...push ups, sit ups, flutter kicks, squats, sprints, long runs, hill sprints, pull ups, lunges, burpees, bicycle kicks, leg lifts, etc. Also work at staying calm when irritated. Also try really hard to remember that each person you are going through this with is from a different place with a different set of beliefs and was not raised the same way as you. They will invade your personal space because you don't have any, take your stuff because you didn't secure it and will purposely try and get you into trouble if you're a d-bag to everyone so don't do that!

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 7:08 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 19:08:06 -0400

Thank you very much sergeant . With that said, securing everything is a good idea.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jun 13 at 2015 1:59 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 13:59:48 -0400

Don't bother shaving your head before you get there. I buzzed mine down to the scalp the day before I left and I still had to pay for the exact same haircut when I got there.

Response by CPT Bill McNeely made Jun 13 at 2015 2:19 PM

CPT Bill McNeely — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 14:19:34 -0400

Download Sworkit

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jun 13 at 2015 2:27 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 14:27:29 -0400

We never did Cardiac Hill in OSUT, but some of the ruck marches do have some pretty intimidating hills.
Are you in good shape? Can you max your APFT, easily? That's probably the only possible way to get a compliment from a Drill Sergeant in Red Phase. Make sure your pushup form is correct. See if you can get to where you can max your pushups with correct form in one minute flat.

If you aren't already maxing your APFT easily, look up Stew Smith. That's the best resource that I know of for fitness plans and such.

If you are in good shape, you shouldn't have too much trouble with the ruck marches; they build up slowly. It will suck, but you can do it.
If you've never rucked before and you want to practice for some reason, take it easy and slow. Don't hurt yourself. You don't want an injury derailing your Army career before you even get started.

You will need to know the General Orders, the Soldier's Creed, the Infantryman's Creed, and the Army Song. If you know all of those before you arrive, you will be ahead of the game for a few days.
I wouldn't worry too much about learning the weapons systems before you get there; they will teach you everything you need to know.

Response by SSG Blake Miles made Jun 13 at 2015 4:52 PM

SSG Blake Miles — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 16:52:09 -0400

If possible, mentally prepare for massive levels of stupidity. Play the game and run the clock out. Work out on your own to pass time. Make a chess board out of pieces of cardboard. Learn to build rapport with everyone and anyone. Think of ways you would lead differently. Always be aware of your surroundings. Practice that skill everywhere you go. Pay attention to the small things and consider their implication on the larger scale. The real battle isn't in your body, but rather your head. Master that fight and your body will be easy. Most of all- if you find yourself stressed out, stop stressing.

Response by PO2 Nathan Meyer made Jun 13 at 2015 5:09 PM

PO2 Nathan Meyer — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 17:09:33 -0400

Try to enjoy your time as much as possible. Very few people in the world get to experience what you're about to experience. I wouldn't recomend just going through the motions to get through, build some great memories.

Everything else will just work on on its own. It's designed to push people to graduate.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2015 2:38 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 14:38:24 -0400

I'd advise you to just work out daily. Run, do pushups and sit-ups, the usual. Otherwise, don't sweat it; enjoy whatever time you've got left before you ship out. The Army will make sure you meet their standard.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 19 at 2015 9:31 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 21:31:06 -0400

As I've said to others, get your running in order, learn about hydration, and check your ego at the door-you can pick it up after graduation.

Response by PFC Jon Singleton made Feb 28 at 2016 10:26 PM

PFC Jon Singleton — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 22:26:24 -0500

You know how to use a floor buffer.....???