What to Expect from Army Boot Camp

Army Basic Training is divided into 3 phases: Phase 1 which is the red phase, Phase 2 is the white phase and Phase 3 is the blue phase. Before you head in to phase 1, you need to spend time in reception battalion. This is the most difficult of boot camp. This is where you go through the paperwork phase and just basically get through the registration processing. So you will get your shots done, paperwork processed, haircut and your uniforms will be issued. You will have your PT (physical training) test done. For males, this means 13 push-ups, 17 sit-ups and a one-mile run in under 8 ½ minutes. For females, you need to do 3 push-ups, 17 sit-ups and a one mile run in under 10 ½ minutes. You will learn how to make your bunk (bed in military terms). If you wear contacts or glasses, you will be issued the funniest looking GI glasses you have ever seen. They are thick frames and thick lenses so they do not break easily. After boot camp, you will be allowed your normal glasses or contact lenses.
While in boot camp, you will receive your pay by direct deposit. This is the only way to get paid. You can establish an account at the base credit union or bank or set one up before you leave for boot camp. You can bring your ATM or debit card with you if you do set one up ahead of time. You will be paid on the 1st and the 15th of each month. Generally, you will receive your first paycheck either the 15th if your information is entered in the computer before the 7th of the month. If it is entered after the 7th, you will get paid the following 1st of the month.

So back to boot camp. So now you enter Phase 1. Phase 1 runs for 3 weeks. This is where you meet your drill instructor. He/she will appear big, loud and mean. Get use to it. Welcome to boot camp! You will be doing lots of push-ups and will be answering with "Yes Sir" or "Yes Maam." During the 1st week, you will be doing a lot of physical training. A lot of push-ups, a lot of sits-ups and a whole lot of running. Your day will start at 04:30 and end at 21:00 (which is 9:00). Each person is assigned Fire Watch duty. This is where you walk around the barracks for 2 hours and watch out for fire. The 2nd week includes more physical training but will introduce you to the rifle. One word of advice: it is a rifle, not a gun. The rifle is actually an M16 rifle. You won't get to shoot this week but you will learn how to hold it, point it and clean it.

Now it is on to Phase 2. This phase is where you will learn to fire your rifle. Your first couple of week of this phase will be spent on different shooting ranges. You will also practice throwing grenades and using bayonets. You will also be introduced to anti-tank and other weapons. You will be running a combat obstacle course as you carry your rifle. During phase 2, you will also notice your drill instructor is not yelling so much.

Phase 3 is a very challenging part of boot camp. You will take your final PT test. If you do not pass the test, you will not be able to move forward with the rest of your group. But at this point in training, you are past week 6 so you are more than likely in pretty good physical shape so the odds of failing is pretty rare. In this phase of training, you will learn the basics of camping. No, I am not talking about the camping you did as a kid with your mom and dad. In Army camping, you will learn how to set up a tent, go on night patrols and perform night operations. You thought the food in the chow hall was bad; meet the MRE (meal ready to eat). They are just that...meals ready to eat. During the second half of phase 3, you will tie in everything you have learned. You will use your field training skills with a special tactical field exercise. At the end of this field event, you are now a soldier.