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What Army Recruits Go Through At Boot Camp

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Here’s an inside look at the United States Army’s intense 22-week basic training known as OSUT, which stands for One Station Unit Training.

Senior Video Correspondent Graham Flanagan spent four days at the Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence located inside the Fort Benning military installation near Columbus, Georgia, where he observed different companies at various stages of training.

After a processing period that takes one to two weeks, recruits experience what’s known as a “shark attack,” when drill sergeants create a high-stress environment through a series of rapid-fire instructions and commands. Once the intensity subsides and training begins, the dynamic between the drill sergeants and the recruits evolves into one found between a teacher and students in a classroom.

Despite rainy conditions that rarely let up during filming, we saw various dynamic aspects of training, such as marksmanship, tear gas exposure, and MOUT, which stands for military operations in urban terrain.

In the video, we incorrectly refer to duffle bags as rucksacks. Apologies for the error.

How long is Basic Combat Training and what skills do recruits learn during this time?

Introduction

Enlisting in the armed forces is a courageous decision that comes with myriad training and preparedness. Boot camp is the first hurdle that recruits have to overcome before joining the army fully. It is a foundation for their military training, and it shapes their attitudes, behaviors, and physical fitness. This article highlights what army recruits go through from the moment they arrive at the boot camp to graduation.

Reception

After enlistment, army recruits report to Military Entrance Processing Stations, where they are screened for mental and physical abilities. They then proceed to the reception center, where they receive an initial briefing, medical check-ups, and are given clothing and equipment. Recruits then undergo processing, which includes being issued Identification tags, administrative forms, and receiving uniform articles. They then take an ‘initial haircut,’ where their hair is shaved off or trimmed to army standards.

Basic Combat Training

Basic Combat Training (BCT) is an intensive ten-week course that all recruits undergo. They are trained in physical fitness, combat skills, and mental toughness. The first few weeks of BCT are the most demanding, where recruits undergo rigorous physical training. They wake up early in the morning, and their day begins with a combination of running, push-ups, and sit-ups. The purpose of this training is to condition their bodies and prepare them for combat.

After acclimating to the physical training, recruits are taught military skills, including weapons handling, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and tactical formations. They undergo training in obstacle courses, like the O-Course, Water Confidence, and Bayonet Assault course. Additionally, they are trained on chemical, biological, and radiological defense, first aid, and land navigation.

Graduation and Beyond

Upon successful completion of BCT, recruits are awarded a rank, and it is time for graduation. This is a memorable ceremony where the graduating recruits showcase their military skills through drill formations, presentations, and speeches. Family members and friends are usually invited, and graduates leave for their next military training.

After graduation, soldiers enter Advanced Individual Training (AIT), where they receive specialized training based on their job in the army. Some recruits, including officers, medics, or engineers, continue training to prepare for their specific roles critically. Finally, every recruit is evaluated, and their physical abilities and knowledge are analyzed before they are fully inducted into the army.

Conclusion

Army boot camp is an intense experience that determines whether or not a recruit is fit to join the army. It tests their physical strength, mental toughness, and readiness to learn new military skills. The training is essential because it prepares recruits for the challenges they will face in military operations, and it shapes them into principled soldiers. While it is a demanding process, boot camp is an opportunity for recruits to become part of something bigger than themselves and make an impact.