Those of you who've been in basic training .... tell me about it

[Origen]

Doing some reading right now. Trying to capture the experience in words.

Tell me stories, and if you have time, describe it in brief detail.

[BattleNymph]

Ok, I haven't but my sister was in the Air Force for a number of years. From her perspective, basic training was a lot about shaking you up. Rules, regulations, some that made sense and some that didn't to make you get used to taking orders regardless. A time for everything, very, very regulated. More so than active military by a lot. Also, work ethic was pounded into her. Polishing your boots to a military shine. Making your bunk tight. Doing your KP duty to the max degree. Etc...

For her, it was also about earning the respect of the other soldiers. Lots of behind the scenes fighting and insulting and suchlike.


Hope this helps a little. Or inspires others with more experience to write about it here. :)

[Mouser]

It's really about introducing the soldiers to the culture of that particular service and the self-image of same.

It's an introduction to basic ideas and skills.

This includes training on grooming, ethics, etiquette, and deportment.

[TinSoldier]

Yeah. I'm not ignoring this thread, I just haven't composed my thoughts on it yet.

If you've seen Full Metal Jacket then you've seen Marine Boot Camp except for the hitting--physical abuse is not longer tolerated. I'm sure it still happens (and I've heard stories) but I've never seen nor experienced it myself.

I'll try to come up with some stories and descriptions.

[Mouser]

I heard that they're also no longer allowed to swear.

[TinSoldier]

I heard that they're also no longer allowed to swear.I've heard that too, but it wasn't my own experience.

[Mouser]

I've heard that too, but it wasn't my own experience.

Heh...

I learned that swear words are hard to come by in Hebrew.

[BattleNymph]

Not in Gaelic that's for sure.

[Mouser]

Not in Gaelic that's for sure.

Not that YOU would know, oh pure and virginal princess of the Emerald Isle...

[BattleNymph]

Not that YOU would know, oh pure and virginal princess of the Emerald Isle...

Paag my hoyn

[Kalzazz]

Well, from my dad. On basic training

Livefire Assault Course
The scariest part of basic training, in which a team of trainees take turns with one advancing on a bunker while the other trainee puts down covering fire, until one gets close enough to throw a live grenade into said bunker. This involved your fellow trainee firing live rounds over your head as your advancing, and thus was the scariest

Livefire Infiltration Course
This first involved a field with stands on one side of it during the day which the trainees are taken out to see and a tower, then return at night and are settled into the stands. While there expecting someone to come talk to them, instead all hell breaks loose with explosions, machine guns, sirens and flares. Then someone announces the Livefire Infiltration Course. The goal is to go from inside one trench across the field to another trench, during which machineguns will fire overhead at intervals and explosives will go off to simulate oncoming mortar fire. Flares are shot periodically to light up the area, and the trainee is supposed to remain still when the flare is up so enemy marksmen dont see him. The explosives that simulate mortars are blocked off by sandbags.

My dad goes and does this, crawling along. Then a flare goes off and he discovers he is right next to some sandbags. Promptly said explosives go off and hurl him into the air a good two feet (or he admits more like 6 inches). He is sure some drill sergeant with binoculars was watching. 'See that poor fool next to the sandbags? Set that one off'

Grenade Training, Part I
First part of grenade training involved throwing dummy grenades at a steel pipe, and missing. So the sergeant cursed loudly and said that the fools couldnt hit the target even if he put his hat on it, and he did put his hat on it. This ticked off most of the trainees involved and grenades went all over the place, most thrown completely past the target. My dad was not at that point particularly strong, and the target was about as far as he was able to throw, and he carefully aimed and hit it, which cut the sergeants hat brim. He did not however admit to being the one to accomplish this deed

Grenade Training, Part 2
The second part involves throwing the live grenade. Theres a pit in the ground you throw the grenade from, and in this pit theres another deep hole, if the trainee drops the grenade the sergeant will kick the grenade into the hole and tackle the trainee. The sergeant announces the steps of the process and mimics them. My dad goes to throw his grenade. Pull pin, cock arm. Then the sergeant waits a few moments and looks at him, "Dont you think youd better throw that?"

Rifle Training, Part I
A couple weeks into basic training the trainees got rifles. The sergeant asked 'Is anyone here afraid of the M14s kick?' One trainee raised his hand. 'C'mere son, Ill show you this M14 doesnt kick a bit', said luckless trainee then got to fire the rifle off his chin, busting his nose and lip and making a lot of blood. Afterwards he agreed with the sergeant the M14 did not, in fact, kick

Rifle Training, Part II
Then the trainees go to the range, the Army taught the proper way to shoot involved holding it by the sling with your left hand. My dad however thought it was instead better to brace your left elbow on your ammo pouch and then rest the rifle on your left hand. And proceeded to shoot that way. The sergeant stormed over 'What the hell do you think your doing? Keep shooting like that and Ill hit you on the head everytime you miss' brandished range safety paddle, metal. My dad did have his helmet on, and kept shooting, and did not miss. The sergeant after a while decided 'Shoot however you damn well want to then'

My dad prior to being in the military was from rural nowhere coastal North Carolina, hunter, NRA member and competition shooter, so he went into it knowing how to shoot. Shooting was his favorite part of the military experience by far, and he thinks he shot several thousand rounds through basic training

And there are a couple more bits of basic training, but Im tired of typing

[hidufel]

I've not been ignoring either... i just need some time to put my thoughts down on my basic training experience. I wen tthrough Basci at Leonardwood in missouri, summer of 1990. More on that later.

[TinSoldier]

Pre-processing
The recruiter makes sure that you get to the MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Center) on time. If you don't live near a big city you either have to be driven or take a bus. The military picks up the tab for the bus.

When you get there, you go through a lot of waiting in line and doing paperwork and more waiting. The paperwork is either the same or very similar to much of the paperwork that you have already done at the recruiter's office.

They give you money to get some dinner. You eat and return to the MEPS and wait some more.

They give you a physical again, which they have already done at least once before if you have been on the Delayed Entry Program. Don't worry, they'll give you at least one more before you are done.

In the evening they do the swearing in, where you swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed above you.

The forms, by the way, in 1988 asked you whether or not you were now or ever have been a member of the Communist party, and whether or not you had had any homosexual relations or were a practicing homosexual. Times change.

After all of this, you begin to feel a little fatigue but the anticipation keeps you going. You talk to the other Marine recruits and the recruits of other services, comparing notes and what little knowledge you have of the military. A lot of it is one-upsmanship and bravado, especially as a Marine recruit.

In your Black-Ops game, it sounded like the recruits had to pay for their own transportation to their training station or had a choice as to the mode. That wasn't my experience. I believe that the military picked up the tab for my flight from Portland to San Diego. There was a bus to pick us up at the airport. The fun was about to begin...

More later, this will be long. Next up: Receiving.

[Origen]

In basic training, is there ever any point where recruits have access to weapons or explosives? Or are they responsible for making sure those are put away and accounted for?

[hidufel]

As I recall, the only access to the live rounds and explosives were those handed out at the range during live fire excersises.

We were issued rifles and were responsible for its upkeep, but amunition was not handed out until the range. Brass was studiously picked up and accounted for as well.

[TinSoldier]

In basic training, is there ever any point where recruits have access to weapons or explosives? Or are they responsible for making sure those are put away and accounted for?

As I recall, the only access to the live rounds and explosives were those handed out at the range during live fire excersises.

We were issued rifles and were responsible for its upkeep, but amunition was not handed out until the range. Brass was studiously picked up and accounted for as well.What Hidufel said. That stuff is religiously accounted for, even outside of Basic Training.

In the Marine Corps, though, our rifle racks were in the squad bay with us and one of the tasks of the firewatch was to check and make sure they are secure.

In the field, we slept with them.