Is Basic really as hard as everyone makes it out to be?

2023-04-30T11:05:15-04:00

Im in JROTC and I ship out in a little over a month but I'm extremely nervous. I'm mostly worried about passing the PT test since I'm not the most athletic. My JROTC instructors have been helping me by making me lift weights and Ive got some muscle but I just don't feel ready.

Response by SGM Jeff Mccloud made Apr 30 at 2023 1:16 PM

2023-04-30T13:16:39-04:00

BCT is deigned to get you to passing.
Also, with BCT and everything after, you will find that most things are not as challenging as others make them out to be.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2023 1:34 PM

2023-04-30T13:34:01-04:00

It's tough, but it's not as hard as you would think. It's not designed to make you fail.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2023 2:10 PM

2023-04-30T14:10:04-04:00

Candace Rohrbacher Continue with the exercising. It is normal to be nervous. Good luck.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 30 at 2023 3:21 PM

2023-04-30T15:21:25-04:00

Just remember, almost every school you go to in the Army - or any branch, for that matter - is designed to help you pass. Your Commanders WANT you to pass. Your instructors, Drill Sergeants, Cadre, etc. WANT you to pass. The curriculum and training plan are designed to FORCE you to pass, as long as you do what you are told.

The last Army school I went to, I was 40 years old. I had just recently started running again after about 5 years of barely running at all due to injuries. I was literally the last person across the finish line on day 0 that made it in to the school - everyone after me did not make the cut.

And for the entire duration of the school the Cadre were cheering on "the old man" and encouraging me to meet the standard - which I did. I was never the first one across the finish line. But I always made it across, within standard.

I did what I was told to do and I did it to the best of my ability. And that was enough - as it almost always will be.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Apr 30 at 2023 5:09 PM

2023-04-30T17:09:18-04:00

Depends on you physical and mental abilities. I did not find it difficult. The instructors play a lot of mind games with you. Most 18-year-olds don't know how to react to being "cutdown" or "bullied".

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 30 at 2023 6:50 PM

2023-04-30T18:50:00-04:00

Basic/Boot Camp is designed to take someone who can pass the initial strength test and be built up to where they can pass the minimum requirement to serve. You don't have to be Rambo before you ship but there is a minimum you need to be at physically. Have you passed all the screenings? Can you pass the PFT/CFT?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 30 at 2023 11:01 PM

2023-04-30T23:01:54-04:00

Basic is as hard as you want to make it. If you do what you are told, when you are told and how you are told, then you will come out the other end with good training and good time. If you do not, you will have a different time.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made May 1 at 2023 4:24 AM

2023-05-01T04:24:57-04:00

Depends; Are We Talking Marines, Army, Navy Or Air Force?
I HEAR, It Goes This Way....
Starting From Most Difficult _ To Being A Cake Walk..
Marines ~ Army ~ Navy ~ Air Force.
I Was Among The Brightest.. I Enlisted In The Air Force.
And I DO RECALL The Day When I Tried Like ALL "L",
To Do A Push--Up..!! .. And I Almost Made It Too..!!
WHEW, THAT Was A "Close Call"... But I Fell Face-Down On The Floor.

SO.. Here's My Suggestion..... Don't Be To Concerned About Basic...
You'll Make It, Just The Same As We And Millions Of Others....Just Do As You're Told & You'll Be Fine

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 1 at 2023 7:11 AM

2023-05-01T07:11:31-04:00

As stated, the response depends on the service. The Army and the Marines generally find a way to get a recruit in some shape before they ship out. Basics are designed to develop a couch potato. Unless you don’t try they will get you into shape before your required fitness test. It would not hurt you to ask the recruiter to assess your fitness and give sone insight on the exercises required to get you started, 30 days is a long time. You got this.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2023 3:28 PM

2023-05-01T15:28:55-04:00

No one is ever ready. But hey, you can overcome any trepidation if you put your mind to it. You're doing the right things now. Keep running and working out. You'll be fine.

Response by PO3 Vikki Haygood made May 2 at 2023 3:12 PM

2023-05-02T15:12:04-04:00

You will do just fine!! I wasn't all that in shape and they get you there.... You will make it!! :)