Posted on Jul 10, 2015
What can you tell me about basic training at Fort Benning?
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I am one month away from Infantry OSUT at fort benning. I ship out August 11th. I would like any information about basic training or advice about basic training or even reception which I will be at reception for 10 days. Maybe even some things I should do to prepare physically or any information I should study beforehand. I am NG so I've been to 3 drills so far and this weekend is my 4th and last so I'll be blue phase for those of you that went thru rsp. I also have the soldier's blue book so I'm looking thru that. My apft score is 288, my only problem being the run but maxing everything else. I would also like some tips to increase my apft score.
11B: Infantryman
Army National Guard
Advice
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 43
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I graduated last August and my advice to you is just to accept that it will suck. There will be moments where you question yourself but just make sure you sorround yourself with solid guys. You don't want to be that guy that hangs out with the guy always getting smoked.
Before I shipped I used to read stuff like "never volunteer for anything" but if you're a natural leader you'll know when to take charge when others mess up . Yes being in a leadership position won't mean anything once you're at your unit but it gets you going in the right direction mentally.
Also, you're going to deal with a lot of guys with different backgrounds and different values so getting a long with everyone and avoiding drama was one thing a lot of people struggled with at basic for some reason. I'm from NYC so I guess I was used to the diversity.
Last but not least enjoy your time there. You get to a point in blue phase where you almost enjoy getting smoked . You begIn to catch on to the Drill Seargants games and it's pretty entertaining lol
Before I shipped I used to read stuff like "never volunteer for anything" but if you're a natural leader you'll know when to take charge when others mess up . Yes being in a leadership position won't mean anything once you're at your unit but it gets you going in the right direction mentally.
Also, you're going to deal with a lot of guys with different backgrounds and different values so getting a long with everyone and avoiding drama was one thing a lot of people struggled with at basic for some reason. I'm from NYC so I guess I was used to the diversity.
Last but not least enjoy your time there. You get to a point in blue phase where you almost enjoy getting smoked . You begIn to catch on to the Drill Seargants games and it's pretty entertaining lol
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CPL Larry Garrett
I loved basic. I was OSUT and COHORT. B-42 Harmony Church 1987. Just remember when your pulling extra duty at the drill sergeant academy......you don't have to go to parade rest.
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CPL Larry Garrett
Don't have to go to parade rest for every sergeant you pass. When I asked why , I was simply told they were not officially rolls yet. Took me 15 minutes to get to chow that was only a block and a half away. LET'S LOL
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Suspended Profile
Make sure you volunteer every time the drill asks for one. And if you have your mom send the drills some cookies, they will give you preferential treatment.
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If you're an honest 288 now, your PT score may actually go DOWN in basic if you don't work on it on your own. I would suggest keeping it as high as you can. When you get to your unit, they won't know much about you other than scores, so it can't hurt your first impression for scores to look good.
Also, an old guy's advice for you: Consider doing at least one enlistment on active duty. It's an experience you'll remember for your whole life and the only people I ever see regretting it pretty much do that to themselves. Even if you have other life plans, 4 years is a REALLY short time on the scope of a lifetime.
Also, an old guy's advice for you: Consider doing at least one enlistment on active duty. It's an experience you'll remember for your whole life and the only people I ever see regretting it pretty much do that to themselves. Even if you have other life plans, 4 years is a REALLY short time on the scope of a lifetime.
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PVT Angelo Velez
I want to try and keep a 300 throughout basic so if I am actually given time to do pt on my own, I will do pt.
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I'm actually going to go against the conventional wisdom and tell you to go in as a blank slate. Ready yourself physically, of course, but don't spend time trying to learn D&C, tactics, BRM on your own. They will show you the way they want you to do it, and unless you are personally training properly out of the newest army doctrine, "bad habits" can be hard to break. Get your mind right, and make sure your affairs are in order at home before you leave so that you won't be worried about things while you're gone. It's going to suck, but I think most of us that have been in awhile will tell you that, if given the chance, we would do it again right now. Good luck to you!
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SSG (Join to see)
I'm with CPT (Join to see) on this one. Go in pretending you know nothing. Let them teach you the way they want to see it. Keep your opinions to yourself and stay out of the drama that will come up between the other trainees. Keep pushing yourself on the run until you ship, and keep doing what you're doing for push-ups and sit-ups.
More than anything, I want to point out what he said about getting your mind right. That's the key to almost anything in the military. If you're mentally prepared, nothing can stop you. You're going to feel physically broken down, like you can't do another pushup or flutter kick. But if you're mental game is on point, you'll be the last one that quits every time.
More than anything, I want to point out what he said about getting your mind right. That's the key to almost anything in the military. If you're mentally prepared, nothing can stop you. You're going to feel physically broken down, like you can't do another pushup or flutter kick. But if you're mental game is on point, you'll be the last one that quits every time.
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PVT Angelo Velez
I am actually very prepared. I have a good apft score, I know D&C, and a little bit of land navigation along with the soldier's creed, rank structure and the basics. In rsp, they taught us a lot and we have soldiers that just came back from basic and ait and also 11Bs so they told me what to expect. While active and reserve soldiers and learning some things for their first time, I already learned it to some point. CPT (Join to see) SSG (Join to see)
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CPT (Join to see)
You didn't learn much from the SSG's comments, did you Velez? I will make it clear, be humble, ignore what you think you know, shut up and listen to what the DI's are trying to teach you.
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CPL Stanley Oos
I think you missed their point here a bit. Go in physically and mentally ready, but the "knowing" D&C and such, let them teach you. Don't go in being cocky acting like you know everything, just because you read a book, nobody likes that guys. Plus to add we didn't do jack w D&C while I was there. We're infantryman, we arent paid to look pretty, we're trained to kill and protect our brothers on our left and right. W that being said, the guy who said to go in being a team player is spot on. That's how you get through basic. Keep your head down, mouth shut unless spoken to and ears and mind turned on.
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