Are there times in BCT when you are allowed to be on your own, and you don't have to be with your Battle Buddy?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2020 11:03:32 -0400

I watched a video where a DS said you’ll always have to have a Battle Buddy wherever you go. But I wonder, is there any exceptions?

I’ve watched some videos in YouTube where there are circumstances I’m asking the question. Ie. going to pee in the middle of the night; in case you have to get your laundry done at midnight; when on sick call(?);

I’m shipping on the 11th, I thought I’d do some self-imposed assignments before I go. I’ve been jotting down lists of do’s and dont’s to prepare ahead and this is one of my un-answered questions. Looking forward to some answers or tips. Thank you!

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made May 2 at 2020 11:14 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 02 May 2020 11:14:52 -0400

Use common sense my friend.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2020 11:18 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2020 11:18:28 -0400

Yes you will be with a battle buddy all the time. Going to the latrine in the barracks is an exception since that violates your privacy. Some barracks have laundry rooms so you'll be able to do your own laundry but that will depend on your barracks set up. Having a battle buddy teaches you a couple of things. It teaches you teamwork and how to into interact with people you dont know and help you to be comfortable with getting to know people from different places.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2020 12:25 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2020 12:25:07 -0400

When I went through basic at Jackson, using the bathroom while in your bay and grabbing laundry from the bay laundry room, you don’t need a battle buddy. Pretty much if you’re inside your sleeping bay you’re fine. But that also depends if how your bay is set up, I wouldn’t suggest going to the laundry or bathroom by yourself if they are located outside your immediate sleeping area. Everywhere else you’ll need one.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 2 at 2020 3:21 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 02 May 2020 15:21:24 -0400

Your DA will be very clear on the do’s and donts.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2020 3:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2020 15:56:33 -0400

When I went to OSUT at Benning we always had a battle. One of the worst advice I was ever told was to stay under the radar. You want to volunteer for everything. Yes it's going to suck. However, it will show your DS that your hungry. And if you do a good job you will be recognized. One of the best advises I was ever told was to give 110% every day. Noone will notice a lot of the time. But one day they will and you will be rewarded for it. Always put your family first. Once the Military is done with you that's it they don't care about you anymore. There's someone else to take your place. Family will be the only one by your side at the end of your military career. If you don't have a degree start working on one after AIT/OSUT. Also knock out DLC (SSD) early it's a requirement for SGT and your leadership will want you to do it anyway be one step ahead.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 2 at 2020 6:06 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 02 May 2020 18:06:22 -0400

Personally I think you are overthinking and over planning.

Just listen to the briefings you get when you arrive. Will there be times you pee by yourself? Yes. Laundry? Yes. Is this a blanket scenario for your entire time there? Not at all. Just listen to your leaders and you’ll be fine

Response by SSG Lyle O'Rorke made May 2 at 2020 7:34 PM

SSG Lyle O'Rorke — Sat, 02 May 2020 19:34:09 -0400

When in your bunk their is no need for a battle buddy that and using the restroom.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2020 4:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2020 04:37:11 -0400

There will be instances where you don’t have a battle buddy, per say. But if you have to pee I. The middle of the night, there are two trainees watching the bay at all times, so, still, you’ve got battle buddies.

Bank on 99% of your bct experience- you’ll have someone watching your six. Feels kind of dumb when you’re new to it. But after -12 years, I can say it is a great feeling knowing you’re covered. And for the majority of times when you look to the left and right and see no one, you’ve either done something stupid or are about to.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made May 3 at 2020 12:22 PM

SPC Christopher Perrien — Sun, 03 May 2020 12:22:38 -0400

n/a

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2020 2:22 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2020 14:22:27 -0400

You don’t have to have a battle to go to the bathroom at night because everyone is in the sleeping bay with you. You do need one in the middle of the night when you’re in the field. (At fort sill) You absolutely will not be able to do laundry after 830 so no middle of the night laundry to worry about. Finally, YES you will absolutely always have to have a battle with you no matter what. I remember some people getting caught without one and were told to play dead until someone came to get them or to lay down and yell out help for 30 min.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2020 5:36 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2020 17:36:12 -0400

Battle buddy system will be implemented in Basic and AIT no matter what. Even in the big army sometimes. When my unit was in deployment we used the buddy system.

Response by Michael Gilbert made May 3 at 2020 9:08 PM

Michael Gilbert — Sun, 03 May 2020 21:08:55 -0400

From everything I have seen and read, as well as been told by friends who have served, you will have to have a battle buddy with you at all times, but then again I would not know for 100% certain. Best to just listen to the do's and don'ts your DI gives you upon arrival at BCT

Response by SSG Dennis O'Connor made May 3 at 2020 9:18 PM

SSG Dennis O'Connor — Sun, 03 May 2020 21:18:03 -0400

As a former DS I can tell you yes, you will be assigned a battle buddy on day one. Yes you two will literally be tied to the hip. But use common sense. No if you go to the latrine at 0 dark thirty you can go by yourself. Don't overthink anything just do what you are told

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2020 11:52 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2020 23:52:34 -0400

When I did BCT in 2002, you had to have your battle buddy for everything. In the field he even had to perform security for you in the middle of the night when you had to get up and go pee. Just the way it is. You do develop a deep connection though. My battle buddy was a crack dealer who got the ultimatum to join the army or go to jail. We couldn’t have been more different. But we developed a great friendship.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2020 7:54 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 May 2020 07:54:05 -0400

Forget everything you've ever read, heard, seen, been told except for these 3 pieces of golden advice:
1. Right time, right place, right uniform.
2. PT, PT, PT.
3. Keep your mouth shut and eyes open.

BCT is not the regular army and is not a good comparison to how the regular army operates. Forget all the crap you've read, follow my 3 pieces of advice, and BCT will be a breeze for you.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 4 at 2020 7:03 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:03:57 -0400

Good Grief during my OSUT (73), 5 open commodes, 1 open trough, an open shower with 6 heads. Sleeping in double bunks in a WW II barracks
There was never any privacy period