What should I pack for BCT, and should I be worried about not passing the APFT (my APFT results are in the details) by the end of BCT?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 20:40:21 -0400

I have two Questions. I ship out June 26th, what should I pack? Also, I can do 25 push-ups, 50 sit ups, and I can run a 18:32 two mile. Should I be worried about not passing the APFT to graduate?

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Apr 13 at 2018 8:48 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 20:48:45 -0400

Bring a change of clothes for traveling there; everything else will be provided or you will be able to purchase. Keep working on your PT (you'll spend A LOT of time at that anyway), and you should be fine.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 13 at 2018 8:49 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 20:49:47 -0400

Take almost nothing- toilet articles is about it, maybe some stamps and your address book. Using electronics/phones are reserved for doing well.. If you are doing the min now, they will build you up during BCT

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Apr 13 at 2018 8:52 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 20:52:24 -0400

I got a packing list from my recruiter when I went to basic - that is all I brought and the clothes I was wearing. Don't bring anything else they just take it and pack it up until you graduate.

You better keep working on those pushups and the run. When I went we took like 3 PT tests and only the last one was the one that counted and you got another chance to take it if you failed. I think the first two were diagnostics.

18:32 two mile? How old are you? I came in after I graduated college and I hadn't worked out much at all in college and was running an 8 min mile without pushing myself. I sure did improve on all the events by the end of basic though.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Apr 13 at 2018 9:00 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 21:00:55 -0400

As a veteran, take my answer for what it’s worth. Ask your recruiter or whomever your point of contact is, what you need for basic training. It’ll probably be pretty minimum as far as civilian clothing goes. Any electronics will probably be confiscated until you get into the “white” phase. During the “red” phase of basic, you are under total control of your Drill Sergeant. As far as APFT goes, you’ll do push-ups, sit-ups, and running until you’re blue in the face. Just do your best, Basic and any other Army school you’ll attend during your career is not their to fail you, but to challenge you. Those that “fail” actually gave up mentally before the final test. Good Luck!

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Apr 13 at 2018 9:04 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 21:04:45 -0400

Lol when I went to basic it too me 11:00 minutes to run 1 mile so only worry about passing when you taking the test and what to take with you is hygiene products that’s it!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2018 9:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 21:59:21 -0400

Toiletries, calf socks (plain white), plain white underwear, stamps, couple pens, watch (solid black)-maybe with a built in alarm, maybe laundry sheets (all-in-one) if you want to do some if your own laundry. Everything else can be purchased. No snacks, no items with alcohol, no weapons, no more than 1 set of clothes. If you have a really good pair of Sunni,g shoes, you can take them, otherwise they will have you purchase some. Good luck. Stay focused, positive, and train hard.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2018 1:38 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 01:38:36 -0400

Remember Stamps

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 14 at 2018 6:22 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 06:22:39 -0400

Take very little, you'll be issued everything you need at the reception center area.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Apr 14 at 2018 7:13 AM

SGT Aric Lier — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 07:13:52 -0400

clothes you are wearing plus 1 change of clothes.good running shoes , shaving kit toiletries nothing fancy.( when I shipped out I spent about a week in reception waiting for our unit) work on your PT everyday push ups try sets of 10 with a 30 sec break until you can do 100. then either increase reps to 20 or drop the breaks to 15 sec.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Apr 14 at 2018 8:14 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 08:14:05 -0400

Things have changed a lot since I was in so some of this may not apply. Take a the clothes your traveling in get a high and tight hair cut before you go take toiletries forget electronics Maybe your cell phone if you have some where to put it usually use of it is limited and determined by how well you are doing. They will issue or have you purchase anything you need once you arrive. I wouldn't worry about the APFT but I would train hard while I am there the more effort you give the better your chances are of passing. Just so there is no surprises, years ago when I first enlisted BCT was interesting to say the least upon arrival we were issued field Jackets once size fits all, that was for over night. The next day you were issued uniforms and every thing you would need except toiletries next you went to what I called paper stop that consisted of about three hours of personal paper work including financial you were even give a small portion of pay to purchase items like toiletries and pay for your mandatory hair cut. Then on to the Training faze wake up time was 4 am and you dressed for PT (which I might add was duty uniform - your outer wear shirt unless it was cold, and of to your first in ranks pt. by 4:15 from there it was exercise, march, run, train with weapons learn first aid on and on. I took a watch with me but back then a watch wasn't what they are today so if you take one make it a cheap Wal-Mart model. Time was not something you had to worry about the DS would let you know what time it was so to speak. Have fun learn and learn if you don't carry a wallet now you may want to get one for your time there. They will give you plenty of things to put in it. Almost for got once they issue uniforms your civilian clothes will be taken and locked up last time you will see them until you graduate. Good luck.

Response by SPC Travis Arrington made Apr 14 at 2018 9:06 AM

SPC Travis Arrington — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 09:06:31 -0400

Just pack some comfortable clothes, especially wear comfortable shoes. Your going to be standing in a lot of long lines. And dont worry about the apft. As long as you get in with the bare minimum their is always room for improvement, and you will improve. I started basic with a pretty crummy score. All I remember is my 2 mile run time which was almost 18 min the first time. Byh the end of jump school I could do 10p pushups in 2 min, 100 sit ups in two mins, and ij ran a 12:35 2 mile. Its all mental, just always give everything your 110% EFFORT, and volunteer for everything, when u first get to your unit. Especially the stuff no one else wants to do. You will do just fine

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2018 10:04 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 22:04:57 -0400

Train but for the PFT. Workout as a part of life and the PFT will take care of its self.

Response by Ryan Hawkes made Jul 18 at 2018 3:26 PM

Ryan Hawkes — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 15:26:36 -0400

Cav scout, eh? I was with 5-15 Cav, Bravo Troop. Didn't graduate, got chaptered out week 8 unfortunately. But I can give you some tips. My PT wasn't too great. I could barely pass the standards. But even so, with how much they smoke you, oh boy, your platoon will have the best PT score and win that ribbon, which is exactly what they want. The platoon that got smoked the most ended up winning the ribbon. The platoon that got smoked the least, had the best
Red/White/Blue test scores, but was low on the PT scores. My scores went from barely passable (190) to a 260. Your drills will make you hell of a lot better. You're almost done with basic! Now just gotta pass SABER Challenge, Grenade throws, FTX4 and your 12 miler. Best of luck!