Fit for Basic

[SN95GT]

I'm working with a recruiter right now and need to shape up within the next few months. Anyone been through basic on here? What's the most important thing to be physically good at in basic. I would guess it's running. Anyone?

[BLU LS2]

I'm working with a recruiter right now and need to shape up within the next few months. Anyone been through basic on here? What's the most important thing to be physically good at in basic. I would guess it's running. Anyone?

I went through AF basic back in 94. Just be in decent running shape. The most important thing is to prepared for it mentally. Its a lot more mental than physical, at least it was for me.

[328Girl]

Haven't gone to basic yet, but I will be going the end of the year...

They've been making me run, pushups, flutter kicks, sit ups. I think it depends on which branch you go into also... I think army and marines run more and what not.

I'd like to know what kind of things I need to work on too, though.

[stroked383z]

anything that will increase your stamina/endurance running, swimming, boxing, etc.... boxing will flat wear you out lol

[evoltalon]

I went through hardcore basic at Ft. Knox, do push-ups, sit-ups and run your ass off. Thats what you'll be doing alot of in basic. Better to get used to it now...the best way to improve something is to do it.

[SN95GT]

Good deal. I suppose I'm on the right path then judging by what you all have said. I'm mainly going to work on endurance by focusing a lot on the basics, like long runs, push ups, and sit ups. My fear is getting in and struggling my ass off just to scrape by :nono:.

I went through AF basic back in 94. Just be in decent running shape. The most important thing is to prepared for it mentally. Its a lot more mental than physical, at least it was for me. Yeah, the mental aspect is something I admit I've been neglecting. Any advice?

[BLU LS2]

Good deal. I suppose I'm on the right path then judging by what you all have said. I'm mainly going to work on endurance by focusing a lot on the basics, like long runs, push ups, and sit ups. My fear is getting in and struggling my ass off just to scrape by :nono:.

Yeah, the mental aspect is something I admit I've been neglecting. Any advice?


Really, there is now way to prepare yourself mentally before you go. I know this will sound a little odd, and when you get there will be the hardest thing to do. But just relax, for me the first couple of days were sensory overload. And its easy to get flustered. Pay attention to what is said. A lot of AF basic was trying to get you to learn pay attention to detail. They are going to throw a lot at you, and see how well you pick it up. And if you don't, trust me they will let you know. Your ears will be the most valuable thing you have, especially the first couple of days. After that you'll figure out the routine.:usa:

[Mackin_Matt]

i went through combat arms bct/ait osut training at ft. knox. just start running a lot you should be able to do at least a few sit ups and push ups now but you will probably get smoked so much during red phase that your endurance in that area will automatically improve. the thing that helped improve my run the most was 30/60 drills

sprint for 30 seconds and walk for 60 seconds you could count this for one set and then do like 6 sets of this

after a while work up to 60/120 where you sprint for a minute and then walk for 2 min.

[SN95GT]

BTW, still rolling, forgot to update.

I tried to get 68wm6 upon enlistment, but it's unavailable now for new enlistees. So, I enrolled in a nursing program myself last summer and will be graduating and enlisting in about 6 mos. My recruiter says I'll more than likely be a combat medic while deployed and a regular nurse in the hospitals when stateside. So, hopefully he's right because that's exactly what I want (coincidence? haha). I'm only being picky for sake of the future, since m6's are auto promoted to E5 after BCT and whiskey training, and I'll have a good job whenever I decide to leave the army. I'm kind of glad I done it this way anyway since I'll have about 50ish credits and won't have to be away from my son for 72 weeks like I would've.

[hootsmcgoots]

It's my understanding that M6 is only offered to Reserve 68W's. To be eligible for M6 while on active duty you must have been a 68W for 2 yrs. BTW, who told you M6's are automatically promoted to E5? Not calling BS or anything but that's not exactly a rank that's just handed to anyone.:scratch:

Quoted from ATRRS:

This course (M6) is available to Active Army and Army Reserve Soldiers Sergeant and below, whose primary MOS is 68W. Active Army soldiers requesting course 300-M6 must have a minimum of 24 months experience as a 68W prior to enrollment into the course. SGT (P) and above must request a waiver from APPD to attend this course. The service-remaining requirement (SRR) for in-service AA Soldiers upon completion of this course is 30 months, IAW AR 614-200, Chapter 4, Table 4-1. All students must have a current and valid NREMT-B certification and must maintain through the course in order to be awarded the ASI M6.

As far as the PT goes, Basic has changed A LOT over the past 10 yrs. There's no more yelling, screaming, and "smoke sessions." If you can do 20 pu's, 20 su's, and complete 2 miles without walking no matter how slow the pace, then your heads and shoulders above the rest. I have consistently gotten numerous soldiers out of BCT that still cannot pass a pt test. This is when most people are in the best shape of their life. If you're still unsure about it go to military.com to the "Preparing for BCT" section, has tons of info. :shrug: BTW, when do you leave?

[SN95GT]

It's my understanding that M6 is only offered to Reserve 68W's. To be eligible for M6 while on active duty you must have been a 68W for 2 yrs.
I'm not sure whether or not it's changed to where only reserve 68w's can be trained for the m6 identifier? But, I do know that there are lots of m6's active, and they do accept trained nurses (me in 6mos) to fill m6 slots.

BTW, who told you M6's are automatically promoted to E5? Not calling BS or anything but that's not exactly a rank that's just handed to anyone.:scratch:
Agreed, it's not a low rank. My recruiter said that no one under the rank of E-5 can hold the mos 68wm6, so I would be promoted upon completion of bct and basic whiskey training (~emt-b). He also said the reasoning for that is because m6's have to supervise 68w's and you can't have a PFC m6 supervising a Sgt whiskey? I also read it on a website somewhere but I can't find it..

Quoted from ATRRS:

This course (M6) is available to Active Army and Army Reserve Soldiers Sergeant and below, whose primary MOS is 68W. Active Army soldiers requesting course 300-M6 must have a minimum of 24 months experience as a 68W prior to enrollment into the course. SGT (P) and above must request a waiver from APPD to attend this course. The service-remaining requirement (SRR) for in-service AA Soldiers upon completion of this course is 30 months, IAW AR 614-200, Chapter 4, Table 4-1. All students must have a current and valid NREMT-B certification and must maintain through the course in order to be awarded the ASI M6.
This is for current whiskeys without a nursing license. Since I will have a nursing license I will complete BCT, Whiskey school and a part of their m6 training according to this:
"During or after completion of the 68W training, candidates with civilian acquired Practical Nurse training with a valid LPN license will notify AMEDD Personnel Directorate APPD), or AMEDD PN Branch to request to be awarded the M6 ASI and be assigned to one of five MTFs, where there is a 68WM6 Phase 2/3 site (MAMC, EAMC, WRAMC, WBAMC, or BAMC) in order to complete the additional required M6 training."

As far as the PT goes, Basic has changed A LOT over the past 10 yrs. There's no more yelling, screaming, and "smoke sessions." If you can do 20 pu's, 20 su's, and complete 2 miles without walking no matter how slow the pace, then your heads and shoulders above the rest. I have consistently gotten numerous soldiers out of BCT that still cannot pass a pt test. This is when most people are in the best shape of their life. If you're still unsure about it go to military.com to the "Preparing for BCT" section, has tons of info. :shrug: Yeah, I don't want to be those guys, so I'm trying to get into good shape so I'm not the puss, scraping through everything haha. I've always had problems with running and pushups, which sucks because it's the core of PT in basic haha.
BTW, when do you leave?
I haven't joined yet, I'll be finished with school in 6mos and I'll be going straight to the recruiter to sign and get going.

[topsecret]

As far as the PT goes, Basic has changed A LOT over the past 10 yrs. There's no more yelling, screaming, and "smoke sessions." If you can do 20 pu's, 20 su's, and complete 2 miles without walking no matter how slow the pace, then your heads and shoulders above the rest. I have consistently gotten numerous soldiers out of BCT that still cannot pass a pt test. This is when most people are in the best shape of their life. If you're still unsure about it go to military.com to the "Preparing for BCT" section, has tons of info. :shrug: BTW, when do you leave?



well maybe its like that where you are but at Ft. Benning, where i am currently in basic. we get smoke constanly, no one passes APFT with 20 push ups or sit ups and the 2 mile run, depending on your age group must be past in the stated time. Now we are also an OSUT post so that may be why its different.

[hootsmcgoots]

Since I will have a nursing license I will complete BCT
I must have missed that part, my bad.

well maybe its like that where you are but at Ft. Benning, where i am currently in basic. we get smoke constanly, no one passes APFT with 20 push ups or sit ups and the 2 mile run, depending on your age group must be past in the stated time. Now we are also an OSUT post so that may be why its different.

Since you're at Benning, I assume you're most likely a combat arms MOS. I'm a support MOS, as is 68W and most if not all of my soldiers come from Jackson. They don't call it relaxin Jackson for nothin. None of the soldiers pass with those stats, they just get pushed through because the DS's don't want them for a nother cycle.

You being on the comp posting this is one of the biggest things that's changed about Basic, and it boggles my friggin mind. I talked on the phone once for 5mins while getting yelled at and didn't even see a comp till after AIT. Good luck to the both of ya's!!!:ftf::usa:

[topsecret]

I must have missed that part, my bad.



Since you're at Benning, I assume you're most likely a combat arms MOS. I'm a support MOS, as is 68W and most if not all of my soldiers come from Jackson. They don't call it relaxin Jackson for nothin. None of the soldiers pass with those stats, they just get pushed through because the DS's don't want them for a nother cycle.

You being on the comp posting this is one of the biggest things that's changed about Basic, and it boggles my friggin mind. I talked on the phone once for 5mins while getting yelled at and didn't even see a comp till after AIT. Good luck to the both of ya's!!!:ftf::usa:

yeah im an 11C, but im on exodus for christmas. thats why im on the computer, im at home with my family. i have to go back on 04 Jan 10

[Rio96GT]

I didn't go through "hardcore" basic, but I went through bootcamp, OCS, TBS, and IOC. If you are content with being able to make it two miles without walking, you're fucking worthless.

[MaximumDarkside]

No yelling, No smoke sessions, easy pt trials?

No way!!!! Thats b*llshit, they scream nonstop but they can't touch you unless you assault them, but they can get nose to nose with you and break you down, its just a hair shy of torture but you get used to it.

Your first day you are going to be sh*tsmoked so bad its not funny, be ready to hold your duffel out in front of you with your arms straight and do pushups for a few hours, flutterkicks arent bad just annoying, its the little madeup drills that are gonna suck the most. Alsoifthey have you doing speed uniform drills don't try to cheat by hading any piece of clothing, your battlebuddies will screw that up for themselves, also say noto the fattycakes and soda cause you won't see them for a long time, water is your friend.

To be safe as long as you can do 25-30 pushups and situps at a time you should do fine at the start, they usually switch off to other drills before they pass those numbers, its not until later that you do 60-75 of each at a time, as for running just get your endurance up, you won't have to worry about posting times for a while, its just gonna be keeping up with the pack, as for being a whiskey congrats, I was at Ft Leonard wood for my 68w training, had a f*cking great time for training but miserable @ss state. No offense to anyone from there, I was just sick from the moment I was there until I went to Tx for ait training. Being in shape will be good for you but they will help mold you further, Also strip the words thank you, i'm cold, i'm sorry, and please from your vocabulary, trust me it will save you and your battlebuddies a world of hurt.

The real fun comes when you get to do combat training and actually use it against the drill sarge if they get in with you guys, ours got made to tap twice.

Also be prepared for cs gas, don't try to hold your breath, it will just be a waste of time, look at the direction the gas is blowing in the air and run away from it, otherwise good luck, your gonna need it but you will love it and miss it when its over.

If you have any questions feel free to ask, I am done now but have only been out since august or september of last year so not to long.

[MaximumDarkside]

And another thing, sterilize your canteen first thing, you don't wanna drink 300 other peoples germs and spit and mold.

Neat thing I found out about was to take some toothpaste and squirt in it and fill it about halfway with hot water and shake it like crazy with the lid on, empty and repeat, then just do hot water no toothpaste, and you will end up with clean canteens that have minty flavored water and no one elses spit.

Also invest in a good razor, and baby wipes, the cheap razors suck when you gotta dry shave, and baby wipes are great for when you go to ftx and quick cleanups on your gear, so much more to tell you, but i'll just let you ask or figure it out.

:nice: