If I want to make BCT and AIT for Infantry easy for me physically, what should I be able to do?

PVT Angelo Velez — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:49:01 -0400

I am going to Infantry OSUT at Fort Benning in August. Last time I was given an APFT test at drill, I scored 257. 78 situps, 67 pushups and 15:39 2 mile run but when I did my 1:1:1assesment at my first drill, I had a 7:06 1 mile run. I also jog every morning before school except wednesdays, anywhere from 2-5 miles. I want to make BCT easy for me physically so I can focus on everything that I need to learn while I'm there. I want to exceed the standards. Any tips or advice would help.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 18 at 2015 10:51 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:51:10 -0400

They are not intended to by easy.
If your DS finds you can do 50 push-ups, the next drop will be for 60.

Response by CPL Eric Allen made May 18 at 2015 10:51 AM

CPL Eric Allen — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:51:17 -0400

Armystudyguide.com/EIB
OR google that

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 10:52 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:52:08 -0400

Do cardio!!! 60:120s along with distance. Your run will improve. Your pu and su will improve there but you need cardio. That is too slow for an infantryman. Plus August is hot in GA. Good luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 11:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:11:30 -0400

Vary your exercises.

Long distance running is wonderful, but try and add sprints to it as well. Lightpole runs, 60:120s, etc.

That sort of thing...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 11:20 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:20:32 -0400

Sometimes you can over train...ensure you allow muscles time to recover.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 11:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:23:08 -0400

Continue to get in shape and work on that run and pushups and it will be easier.

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 18 at 2015 11:26 AM

SGT James Elphick — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:26:22 -0400

Get a heavy pack and start walking, I saw more people struggle with road marching than just about anything else, especially if they were shorter.

Also, even though it has been said, get that run time down. I found that the farther I could run the faster I could do my 2-mile.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 11:25 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:25:28 -0400

Push-ups, sit-ups, 60:120, and start ruck marching: 35lbs, 15min/mile pace, and you will do well.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 18 at 2015 11:48 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 18 May 2015 11:48:30 -0400

It sounds like you are doing well. I can't really add more to what others are say, but I will leave you with a quote from Bruce Lee: do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one. It looks like you are taking the steps in enduring the rigors of the physical requirements of BCT and AIT.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 12:10 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:10:07 -0400

You need to start training under a load. Start small by adding a small backpack or full hydration system to your run. I used to train by running up and down hills with a three liter camelbak, not stopping until I drank all of the water.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:55 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:55:23 -0400

Everyone is talking about the physical side of it, but do not forget to mentally prepare yourself. The physical part of it is one thing, but even if you are in great shape you will be mentally pushed to the limits. You will be sore, and tired, you will miss home, and Drill Sergeants will be in your face at all times of the day. They will wake you up in the middle of the night just because they can. Make sure you are mentally prepared to handle the stressors that come with basic training. Its not just about the fitness but also about the ability to continue pushing past what you think you can do, and continuing to keep going strong.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made May 18 at 2015 3:18 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:18:39 -0400

Get a soldiers level one manual and start reading it. You will get a book similar in basic but that will give you a heads up. Get your facing and marching movements down pat. Forget the word sir and ma'am around anyone but officers, listen to what the drill instructors have to say. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The one thing if I had to pick one to know was this. Don't be scared of them, they put there pants on the same way you do, feet first.
depending on when you leave, get a pack and fill it up to 45 lbs. start at a mile in your boots. then keep extending it out each week till you leave. EIB and Air Assault standard, is 12 miles in under 3 hrs with 30 lb ruck. I don't know how to break that down to a mile, but gives you something to work towards. rucking is the life of the Infantry! Your final grade is a 15 mile ruck in from FTX to finish AIT! Good luck brother. I was B Co 1st Bn 38th INF Harmony Church. 88-89.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 18 at 2015 3:28 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:28:09 -0400

When they do a shake down of your gear in reception before BCT, someone might be impressed if you were to shake a SMT level one manual from your bag.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 3:32 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:32:52 -0400

First I give you props for wanting to be prepared and take the physical fitness out of the equation as a struggle. You will be able to focus more on everything else and use PT as more of a stress relief!

Running, look into speed training and once a week I would suggest to run the distance for the PFT at the best you can, push your self. Get a long run in there for distance and making the shorter distances easier, you can find speed training workouts online, Hills are always good and help build stamina and strength.

Definitely practice with a ruck, I would fit a couple short ones in my week when I was contemplating doing the Limit of Advance competition, I used an issued pack and wrapped some landscaping bricks in a towel and loaded them in there.

Definitely push yourself on pushups/situps/pullups everything helps and I would recommend cutting caffeine and sugary drinks, since you wont have any of that in BCT (we didn't in USAF BMT, but when we got to tech school we could get it-cant speak for the Army training though). I say this because if you are accustomed to it like I was you could get headaches and other caffeine withdrawls once you get there. Sounds like you are on your way! Good Luck!

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 18 at 2015 3:51 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:51:52 -0400

Just push until you die, have someone resuscitate you, roll over and start again.

Honestly, the thing about Sand Hill is the APFT standards are excellent, but they're going to spend most of their time trying to push you far beyond them. Our "exercise sessions" were measured in floor tiles filled with sweat, not number of repetitions.

People are spot on with the walking. Get yourself a good pack, even if it's an old style ALICE pack from a surplus store. Put about 30 pounds in it and get to humping. Aim for 12 miles in under 3 hours and anything after that will be a joke.

It sounds like you're already in really good shape, so it won't be that bad.

Response by SPC Daniel Bowen made May 18 at 2015 7:03 PM

SPC Daniel Bowen — Mon, 18 May 2015 19:03:04 -0400

As SGT James Elphick stated, pick up the ruck and get the run time down. Just understand that even though you're preparing for the PT standards, you are going to be driven to exhaustion anyways so do not doubt yourself when you find yourself suckin' dirt and wondering why. It's all a part of the training.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 11:50 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:50:08 -0400

It seems to me you have the physical aspect under control but keep working on it you still have to endure "smoke" sessions. I would like to touch upon the psychological challenges you will be facing during OSUT. They're going to push you and your team into stressful situations to see how you as a group think and act under pressure. Keep cool and play the game.

Put your individuality/ego/pride in your civilian duffle bag and leave it there until graduation. Start thinking as a team player. Think of your squad's, platoon's, and company's well being above your own. Note that you will never make your Drill Sergeants happy and they're not there to be your buddy they're there to make you into a soldier.

So keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open. Learn to work with your fellow recruits and do what is best for the team. Look out for each other and embrace the suck together. If you kick ass at PT then help a guy who sucks at it. Keep each other motivated. Best wishes.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 1:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:39:23 -0400

Run more... A lot more.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 2 at 2015 10:24 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 22:24:52 -0400

Run. Ruck. Chest workouts. Ab workouts. Learn proper hydration. Check your ego at the door; don't worry, you can pick it up again at graduation.