United States Army Basic Training

Last updated

A soldier with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, conducts Buddy Team Tactics at a Fort Benning Range Infantry One Station Unit Training Buddy team tactics.jpg
A soldier with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, conducts Buddy Team Tactics at a Fort Benning Range

United States Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) is the recruit training program of the United States Army, for service in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard.

Contents

Some trainees attend basic combat training along with their advanced individual training (AIT) at one place, referred to as One Station Unit Training (OSUT). A United States Army infantry recruit should expect a more intense, physically demanding basic training located at Fort Moore, Georgia through One Station Unit Training program that is 22 weeks in duration.

Other occupations also learn basic warrior tasks and skills and small unit tactics, but tend to focus on more of a balanced approach. These trainees receive basic combat training at different installations including Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; or Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. [1]

Basic training is designed to be highly intense and challenging. The challenge comes as much from the difficulty of physical training as it does from the psychological adjustment to an unfamiliar way of life. Initial entry training is divided into two parts: basic combat training (BCT) and advanced individual training (AIT).

AIT consists of the remainder of the total basic training period and is where recruits train in the specifics of their chosen fields. As such, AIT is different for each available Army career path, or Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). AIT courses can last anywhere from 4 weeks to 7 months, and possibly more for foreign language training. Soldiers are still continually tested for physical fitness and weapons proficiency and are subject to the same duties, strict daily schedule and disciplinary rules as in BCT.

Overview

Drill sergeants

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy. Army drill.jpg
U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy.
A U.S. Army drill sergeant standing before his company. Drill Sergeant.jpg
A U.S. Army drill sergeant standing before his company.

Drill sergeants are the instructors responsible for most of the recruit training that takes place during Initial Entry Training. They accompany recruits throughout the entire training process, instructing and correcting actions in everything from firing weapons to the correct way to address a superior, and are also largely responsible for the safety of recruits. They are recognizable by their distinctive headgear (campaign hats), often referred to as "brown rounds" or "Smokey Bear" hats, as they resemble that character's round park ranger-style hat.

Battle buddies

Battle buddies generally refer to partners in a combat scenario. However, throughout Basic Training the term is used to describe a disciplinary principle whereby recruits are prohibited from walking anywhere alone. When traveling away from the platoon or a drill sergeant, recruits are expected to travel in pairs, known as battle buddies. Battle buddies are sometimes assigned, or can be chosen by recruits when the need to travel arises.

Daily schedule

A typical day in Basic Training generally follows this schedule. Times can change depending on location, commanding officers, or when drill sergeants see a need for variation. [2]

TimeActivityDescription
4:30 a.m.First CallWake up to perform personal morning tasks and conduct hygiene. For males, shaving is mandatory every morning.
5:00 a.m.Physical Training (PT)Form up in the company area, perform morning physical training (calisthenics and running).
6:00 a.m.Breakfast
6:30 a.m.TrainingBegin the day's scheduled training exercises.
12:00 p.m.Lunch
12:30 p.m.TrainingContinue the day's scheduled training exercises.
5:00 p.m.Dinner
5:30 p.m.Drill sergeant timeTime for drill sergeants to speak with the recruits about any subject they may think requires attention.
Mail call is also performed during this time.
8:00 p.m.Personal timeTime for recruits to engage in personal activities, such as writing letters, laundry, showering, relaxation, or sleep.
Recruits may also catch up on platoon duties during this time, such as barracks cleaning or wall locker organization.
9:00 p.m.Lights-out

Fire guard and charge of quarters

Every night, at least two recruits from the platoon must be awake at any given time. Duties include patrolling their barracks area, watching for fires, cleaning the barracks and watching for recruits attempting to leave the barracks area. They wake the next pair of recruits at the end of their one-hour shift. This duty is called fire guard or access control guard (ACG).

Fire guard stems back to the days of wooden barracks and wood-burning stoves. The fire guard would watch the stoves to make sure that the barracks would not catch fire. Since open flames are not generally used to heat sleeping areas any longer, present-day fire guard duty during Basic Training is more an exercise in discipline than a practical necessity, although if the weather gets cold enough, some groups conducting overnight outdoor training will still use a "pot bellied" stove which must be watched to prevent accidental fires. It is primarily used to ensure accountability of personnel and equipment during the night.

Charge of quarters, commonly called CQ, functions in a somewhat similar manner. CQ shifts rotate throughout the entire company, with just two recruits from the company staying awake per shift. The actual charge of quarters is the drill sergeant and the pair of recruits staying awake are the "runners", meaning that they perform tasks for the CQ. They perform some of the same duties as the fire guard shift. Only the CQ on duty is permitted to open the barracks doors and the runners must alert the CQ if someone else attempts to enter or leave the barracks.

Hands-on training

For many hands-on instructional sessions, recruits are transported to other locations on base that specialize in the given subject. For instance, a class on the use of hand grenades is given at a location where a range is already set up with the appropriate props for the simulation, including targets, fake grenades, identification stations, and a live grenades throwing bay. All trainees must throw two live hand grenades to graduate BCT.

Split training option

The Split Training Option (also known as STO or Split-Op) is an enlistment option available for Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve recruits. This program allows individuals to attend Basic Training during one summer, drill with their respective units once a month on weekends while attending school, and then within one year of completion of BCT, the Soldiers are ordered to AIT, Phase II of IET, and complete their required MOS training after graduation. This enlistment option is usually popular among high school students who wish to enlist as early as possible, while still attending school. The split option program is also available to seasonal workers, and college students. [3]

History

During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Army trained while encamped. In 1778, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben initiated the first formalized training program. [4] Following the war, the Army was largely disbanded in favor of militias. [5] Following disastrous losses to Native Americans, however, the United States authorized the Legion of the United States. Led by Major General Anthony Wayne, the Legion constructed a training camp called Legionville near Pittsburgh. This is considered the Army's first basic training camp. [6]

During the American Civil War, both the Union and Confederate armies relied on volunteer state units to quickly grow their armies. In contrast to the Regular federal units, state units fought in battles with little formal training. [7]

The United States Army began a systematic, 16-week program to train individual Soldiers when it entered World War I in 1917. [8] The Army established more than 30 training camps to prepare state troops and new recruits. [9] Due to the urgent need to aid France, training was more focused on mobilization than combat training. [10] Soldiers arrived quickly in France, but required additional training once they arrived, in order to make them combat ready. [11] This highlighted the need for a standardized training regimen that would provide new Soldiers with rudimentary combat training. [11]

The Army was greatly reduced after the Armistice of 11 November 1918, but World War II again created the need to train a large number of new Soldiers. Recruits and draftees first reported to Induction Centers, where they were administratively and medically processed into the Army. Following induction, new Soldiers were sent to specialized training which, for combat arms, meant basic training. [12]

Following WWII, the Army retained an 8-week standardized basic training course, but advanced training was left to the responsibility of unit commanders. [13] Colonel S.L.A. Marshall published a book in 1947 entitled Men Against Fire, which claimed that only 25% of Soldiers had fired their weapons in WWII due to strong social norms against killing. [14] Although his findings were controversial, the Army adapted basic training to include attack exercises. [15] Dedicated Drill Sergeants were added to basic training in 1964. [16] In 1973, Basic Training came under control of the newly created United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. [17]

Locations

The recruit's entry location in the United States determines where the recruit will attend Basic Combat Training "if the recruit chose a non-combat support MOS". A recruit that has chosen a particular combat MOS (Infantry, Military Police, Combat Engineer) will require specific OSUT. Advanced Individual Training depends on the Soldier's determined Military Occupational Specialty, or MOS, which is selected upon enlistment into the Army. For a non-combat support MOS, AIT will commence following successful completion of Basic Training. Soldiers requiring air transportation to their training locations are flown via commercial flight at the Army's expense.

One Station Unit Training

With some MOSs, both the BCT and AIT phases of training are accomplished back-to-back at the same location, with the same instructors, as well as with the same fellow recruits. This is called One Station Unit Training, or OSUT. For example, the Infantry MOS consists of BCT followed by 12 weeks of Infantry training, all within the same location. A similar program is followed for Combat Engineers and Bridge Crewmen, who train for 14 consecutive weeks, as well as Cavalry Scouts, Tank Crewmen, and Military Police. [18]

Basic Combat Training sites

Fort Jackson BCT emblem. Fort Jackson.jpg
Fort Jackson BCT emblem.

The U.S. Army has four sites for BCT: [19]

Advanced Individual Training

AIT is conducted at the corresponding school for the recruit's MOS (see Advanced Individual Training).

Reception Battalion

Reception in the Army. Army reception.jpg
Reception in the Army.

Reception Battalion (RECBN) is the period that begins when the recruit arrives at the Army post where he or she is to undergo Basic Training. It typically lasts 4 to 10 days [21] and is where initial preparations for training are performed, including: [22]

Fitness Training Company

The recruits who fail the physical assessment test can be held back at Reception Battalion, where they are placed in Fitness Training Company (FTC), sometimes referred to in slang form as "Fat Camp." FTC involves daily, rigorous physical training and diet monitoring by Master Fitness Trainers (MFTs). Recruits in FTC are provided two chances each week to complete the physical assessment test and upon passing are allowed to move on to the next phase of Basic Training. Recruits who spend four weeks in FTC without passing the physical assessment test (failing the test eight times) might be discharged from the Army via an Entry Level Separation (see Discharge from Basic Training below).

The FTC currently is not in use. As there are no longer physical fitness standards to enter BCT, there is no standard to hold them to and the unit is no longer needed.

FTC is not to be confused with FTU, a place where recruits who sustain injuries during Basic Training may also be assigned for rehabilitation. [23]

Basic Combat Training

Basic Combat Training, or BCT, is a ten-week process which includes one week of reception. Reception Battalion is the first stop before meeting the drill sergeants and starting Basic Combat Training. Reception will typically last between 3–5 days and includes; physical exam, vaccinations, haircut, uniform and Army Physical Fitness Uniform. In most Reception Battalions the Army Fitness Test will be administered before starting Basic Training Day 1 [24] training cycle that teaches identical skills for all MOSs (Military Occupational Specialties). This is because the Army believes that no matter the Soldier's specialty, they should all be taught the same basic procedures and skill set so they are ready to properly work together and defend themselves, as well as their fellow soldiers, if/when necessary.

BCT is divided into four phases, each represented by a color: yellow, red, white, and blue for Phase I, II, III, and IV respectively. BCT trainees are progressively allowed more responsibility, privileges, and independence each time they achieve a new phase of training. Whereas trainees in Phase I are constantly monitored and led around by their drill sergeants, Phase IV trainees are largely responsible for making sure tasks are completed correctly and on-time and keeping themselves on-schedule. [24]

At some Basic Training stations, the current phase is denoted by the color of guidon carried by the platoon. Following the recruits' successful completion of the Field Training Exercise (a final, culminating exercise prior to graduation), the Phase IV blue guidon is sometimes traded for a tri-color red, white, and blue guidon that symbolizes successful completion of all three BCT phases.

Phase I

Newly arrived trainees in different platoons in Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Battalion compete against each other in tug of war during the "First 100 yards" First 100 Yards.jpg
Newly arrived trainees in different platoons in Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Battalion compete against each other in tug of war during the "First 100 yards"

The event “The First 100 Yards,” an homage to their lineage of closing the last 100 yards of the fight, incorporates teamwork into a competition that features mental and physical challenges on the day they arrive to their basic training company.

During Phase I or the "Red Phase," recruits are subject to "Total Control," meaning their every action is monitored and constantly corrected by drill sergeants. Recruits are often subjected to group corrective action for even minor infractions, the purpose being to develop an acute attention to detail and foster a sense of common responsibility among the unit.

Week 1

Week 1 begins with the recruits meeting the drill sergeants who will be responsible for their training throughout BCT. The drill sergeants pick up their recruits from Reception Battalion and either transport or march them to their company area. The company area is the common area for the entire company (up to 240 recruits).

Upon arrival at the company area, recruits are divided into their platoons and begin the "First 100 Yards", where Trainees begin to build comradery amongst their platoon and learn the history of the U.S. Army. The "First 100 Yards" allows Trainees to begin building cohesive teams from the very beginning of their transformation from civilian into U.S. Army Soldier.

Drill and ceremony training begins during week 1. This refers to correct procedures for marching and body movements such as standing at attention, "facing" (right-face/left-face), "at ease," "to the rear" and others. For this and many other exercises, soldiers are sometimes issued fake rifles known as "rubber ducks," so that they can become familiar with the proper handling and added weight of their weapon before they have actually been trained to use it. More recently, recruits have begun to be issued fully functional M16A2/A4s during the first week of BCT to allow for early familiarization with the weapon.

Classroom instructions are given in each of the seven "Army Core Values," which include loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage (meant to spell out the mnemonic LDRSHIP, or leadership). There are also classes held on subjects that involve day-to-day personal life in the Army, such as sexual harassment awareness/prevention and race relations.

Week 2

During week 2, recruits begin unarmed combat training, also known as hand-to-hand combat, Combatives or Ground Fighting Technique (GFT). The training often culminates in a competition where each platoon chooses one recruit to compete, the platoons each choose one male and one female.

Recruits are also instructed in map reading, land navigation and compass use. These skills are put to the test at the compass course, where recruits are divided into groups and must navigate their way to a series of points throughout a wooded area.

Recruits will also tackle Victory Tower and the Teamwork Development Course during week 2. Victory Tower is an exercise where recruits must navigate through several obstacles at extreme heights, including climbing and traversing rope ladders and bridges. They must then rappel down a 50-foot wall (back-first, with rope harness). In the Teamwork Development Course, squads must navigate a series of obstacles, with emphasis on working as a team rather than as individuals.

First aid training, known as Combat Life Saver (CLS), is also given during this period. Recruits are trained in evaluating and properly treating casualties, ranging from dressing a wound to application of a tourniquet and dehydration treatment.

Week 3

Recruits begin training with methods for carrying an unconscious or immobile person and physical problem solving, such as finding a way to carry equipment from point A to point B given specific obstacles and constraints.

Recruits are also commonly sent to a gas chamber during this week, which is a large, sealed chamber where soldiers are subjected to CS gas while wearing their protective masks. The gas chamber is the culmination of a series of classroom instructions on gas mask use. Recruits are forced to unmask just before exiting the chamber so that they can briefly experience the effects of the gas. Drill sergeants will usually ask each recruit to recite information while they are unmasked, such as name, social security number or the Pledge of Allegiance, so that the recruit is forced to open their mouth/eyes and/or take a breath while demonstrating continued focus.

Week 3 is also when the recruits are introduced to their standard-issue weapon, the M16A2 assault rifle or the M4 carbine. This does not yet involve the actual firing of the rifle. It does include basic rifle marksmanship (BRM) fundamentals training (instruction in marksmanship techniques without firing the rifle. For instance, trigger control is practiced by placing a wooden dowel down the barrel of the rifle with a coin placed on the exposed end. If the recruit can pull the trigger without the coin falling from the dowel, their trigger control is satisfactory), as well as maintenance tasks, including "field stripping" (quickly disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling) the rifle. Many of these tasks are now done during Week 1 as a part of the initial round of classroom instruction.

Phase II

Weapon range. Weaponsqual.jpg
Weapon range.

Phase II, or the "White Phase", is where soldiers begin actually firing weapons. With the service rifle (M16A2), they will fire at various targets, which are progressively further downrange, making each successive target more difficult to hit, with additional pop-up targets at long range. Other weapons the soldier becomes familiar with include various hand grenades (such as the M67), grenade launchers (such as the M203) and machine guns (such as the M240, M249 and M2). The second week of Phase II involves familiarization with anti-tank/armor weaponry and other heavy weapons.

There is also an obstacle course which the soldiers are expected to negotiate within a certain time limit, known as the "confidence course", since the main objective is to build self-confidence. There is also the expectation of working as a team with the assigned battle buddy.

Additionally, there is continual, intense physical training as well as drill and ceremony training. At the conclusion of Phase II, soldiers are expected to demonstrate proficiency with the various weaponry in which they trained, using numerous "go or no-go" (pass/fail) exercises prior to being allowed to move on to Phase III.

Phase III

A demonstration of a proper push up exercise. Drill-push.jpg
A demonstration of a proper push up exercise.

Phase III, or the "Blue Phase," is the culmination and possibly the most challenging of all the training phases. During this phase, an Army Combat Fitness Test is administered to determine whether the recruit has successfully met the requirements for graduation. Although not previously mentioned, an ACFT is given at a minimum at every phase of training, with a diagnostic ACFT given at Phase I. This is conducted to ensure that all recruits are meeting the standard along the way. Recruits failing to meet the standard of the ACFT will be locally retrained by their drill sergeants and a specialized fitness program is developed to focus on the recruits weaknesses while continuing to maintain and improve upon those events the recruit has successfully passed. When a recruit has successfully passed the ACFT, the recruit will have one of the critical benchmark requirements for graduation. At some locations, soldiers who fail are not allowed to go into the field with the rest of the platoon. The final ACFT Test consists of the Standard Army Annual ACFT Examination. A minimum of 360 points is required to pass U.S. Army Basic Training.

Those who pass will move on to "Bivouac" (camping) and FTX (Field Training Exercises), such as nighttime combat operations and MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) training. There is no access to the dining facility during these exercises, so meals are given in the form of either MREs (Meal Ready to Eat) or field chow. Drill sergeants will make much of this an adversarial process, working against the recruits in many of the night operations by trying to foil plans, et cetera. Other BCT companies also in their FTX weeks may join in simulated combat scenarios, generally at night, with intense competition to prove their particular company the better trained.

Week 2 of Phase III (the 8th week of Basic Training) culminates in a special tactical FTX during which the drill sergeants will advise, but allow recruit platoon leaders and squad leaders to exercise primary decision-making. They attempt to make virtually every one of these exercises different. Because being a soldier is potentially an extremely hazardous job, recruits must demonstrate extreme aggression and fearlessness, tempered by intelligence and common sense. Only those that demonstrate these vital attributes will be permitted to move on to AIT (Advanced Individual Training).

Following their FTX, recruits then move into the final week of training, often called "recovery week," At this time, soldiers must service and/or repair any items they are not taking on to AIT including weapons, bedding, issued equipment (helmet, canteen, gas mask, et cetera) as well as ensuring the platoon barracks is in good order to receive the next platoon of trainees. This week also includes a final fitting of the recruit's dress uniform as well as practice for the graduation ceremony, which takes place at the end of the cycle.

Advanced Individual Training

Advanced Individual Training, or AIT, is where new soldiers receive specific training in their chosen MOS. The length of AIT training varies depending on the MOS and can last anywhere from four weeks to nearly a year.

Just like in BCT, AIT progressively allows trainees more privileges and independence. Trainees begin AIT in Phase IV. After a varying length of time and satisfactory performance, trainees are awarded Phase V. Phase V often includes the privilege of applying for off-post passes or use of electronic devices. Phase V+ is awarded after a set length of time and continued good conduct. Phase V+ trainees may walk about the base without having a battle buddy present, be able to drink alcohol on weekends (provided one is of legal drinking age) and even stay off-post overnight on weekends. These privileges vary.

Graduates of AIT are automatically enrolled in structured self-development, which is an online program that feeds into the basic leader course (BLC). BLC is the first course of the NCO professional development program.

Advanced Individual Training schools

AIT schools include (not a complete list):

Discharge from Basic Training

A recruit can be discharged from the Army before the conclusion of Basic Training. Discharges that occur before the completion of 180 days (six months) of training are considered uncharacterized, which are neither honorable nor less than honorable.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army</span> Land service branch of the U.S. military

The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution. The Army is the oldest branch of the U.S. military and the most senior in order of precedence. It has its roots in the Continental Army, which was formed on 14 June 1775 to fight against the British for independence during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). After the Revolutionary War, the Congress of the Confederation created the United States Army on 3 June 1784 to replace the disbanded Continental Army. The United States Army considers itself a continuation of the Continental Army, and thus considers its institutional inception to be the origin of that armed force in 1775.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military recruit training</span> Initial indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel

Military recruit training, commonly known as basic training or boot camp, refers to the initial instruction of new military personnel. It is a physically and psychologically intensive process, which resocializes its subjects for the unique demands of military employment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drill instructor</span> Military training officer

A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces, fire department, or police forces with specific duties that vary by country. Foot drill, military step, and marching are typically taught by drill instructors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Basic School</span> US Marine Corps school for new officers and warrant officers

The Basic School (TBS) is where all newly commissioned and appointed United States Marine Corps officers are taught the basics of being an "Officer of Marines." The Basic School is located in Stafford County, Virginia to the south-west of the Marine Corps Base Quantico complex. Each year, over 1,700 new officers are trained, representing such commissioning sources as the U.S. Naval Academy, Navy ROTC, Officer Candidates School, and Marine Corps Limited Duty Officer (LDO) and Warrant Officer, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy accession programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Jackson (South Carolina)</span> Military facility in South Carolina, USA

Fort Jackson is a United States Army installation, which TRADOC operates on for Basic Combat Training (BCT), and is located within the city of Columbia, South Carolina. This installation is named for Andrew Jackson, a United States Army general and the seventh president of the United States (1829–1837) who was born in the border region of North and South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Airborne School</span> Basic paratrooper training school for the United States armed forces

The United States Army Airborne School—widely known as Jump School—conducts the basic paratrooper training for the United States Armed Forces. It is operated by the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Moore, Georgia. The Airborne School conducts the Basic Airborne Course, which is open to troops from all branches of the United States Department of Defense, Reserve Officer Training Corps, and allied military personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cavalry scout</span> U.S. Army soldier who has received training as an Armored Reconnaissance Specialist

Cavalry Scout is the job title of someone who has achieved the military occupational specialty of 19D Armored Reconnaissance Specialist in the Combat Arms branch of the United States Army. As with all enlisted soldiers in the United States Cavalry, the person holding the Scout specialization will still be referred to as a "Trooper", the traditional colloquialism denoted in the cavalry's Order of the Spur.

One Station Unit Training, sometimes referred to as One Site Unit Training, is a term used by the United States Army to refer to a training program in which recruits remain with the same unit for both Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Immediately following Basic Training, the unit seamlessly transforms from a BCT unit into an AIT unit. There is no relocation and the same Drill Sergeants who conducted the Basic Training will continue to instruct all of the participating recruits in their Advanced Individual Training. This streamlines the training schedule and helps to produce more camaraderie between trainees. There are a variety of Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and training stations that have OSUT training, such as:

Selection and training in the British Army is the process by which candidates for service are identified, inducted and brought onto the trained strength. The process is the responsibility of the Home Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Armor School</span> U.S. Army school dedicated to training in armored warfare

The United States Army Armor School is a military training school located at Fort Moore, Georgia. Its primary focus is the training of United States Army soldiers, non-commissioned officers, warrant officers, and commissioned officers. It also trains for equipment handling, including the M1 Abrams, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and the Stryker Mobile Gun System. The Armor School moved to Fort Benning in 2010 as part of the United States Base Realignment and Closure program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Marine Corps Recruit Training</span> Program of initial training for USMC recruits

United States Marine Corps Recruit Training is a 13-week program, including in & out-processing, of recruit training that each recruit must successfully complete in order to serve in the United States Marine Corps.

Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) is a program of the United States Army National Guard designed to introduce new recruits to the fundamentals of the U.S. Army before they leave to basic combat training (BCT) and advanced individual training (AIT). The motto is "Paratus Preliator".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Center for Initial Military Training</span> U.S. Armys initial training for new military personnel

Basic Training in the United States Army is the initial training for new military personnel typified by intense physical activity, psychological stress and the development of social cohesion. The United States Army Center for Initial Military Training (USACIMT) was created in 2009 under the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command to oversee training related issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infantry Shoulder Cord</span> United States Army insignia

The Infantryman Shoulder Cord is a United States military decoration worn over the right shoulder of all infantry-qualified U.S. Army soldiers. It is a fourragere in light blue, specifically PMS 5415, worn under the right shoulder and under the right epaulette of a U.S. Army infantry soldier's Class A dress blue uniform jacket or Class B shirt. The cord is composed of a series of alternating left and right half knots that are tied around a leader cord to form a "Solomon bar".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Special Forces selection and training</span> Army training program

The Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) or, informally, the Q Course is the initial formal training program for entry into the United States Army Special Forces. Phase I of the Q Course is Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS). A candidate who is selected at the conclusion of SFAS will enable a candidate to continue to the next of the four phases. If a candidate successfully completes all phases they will graduate as a Special Forces qualified soldier and then, generally, be assigned to a 12-men Operational Detachment "A" (ODA), commonly known as an "A team." The length of the Q Course changes depending on the applicant's primary job field within Special Forces and their assigned foreign language capability but will usually last between 56 and 95 weeks.

68W is the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) for the United States Army's Combat Medic. 68Ws are primarily responsible for providing emergency medical treatment at point of wounding on the battlefield, limited primary care, and health protection and evacuation from a point of injury or illness. 68Ws are certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). However, 68Ws often have a scope of practice much wider than that of civilian EMTs. This specialty is open to males and females with minimum line scores of 107 GT and 101 ST on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

Basic Military Officer Qualification refers to both the basic training course, and the graduation qualification, received by individuals seeking entry as officers to the Canadian Forces. The course is conducted at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean, Quebec and is 12 weeks long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AIT Platoon Sergeant</span> US Army job description

An Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Platoon Sergeant is a United States Army Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) responsible for the health, welfare, mentoring, disciplining, physical fitness and Warrior-Task training of AIT Soldiers. NCOs in the enlisted grade of E6 or E7 are assigned as AIT Platoon Sergeants and incur a minimum 24-month tour of duty. The size of the AIT Platoon varies by installation and can range from 20 to 120 Soldiers, though TRADOC Regulation 350-37 states the desired ratio is one Platoon Sergeant to 40 Soldiers. An average AIT Company has between two and five Platoons. "The Army’s Human Resources Command may involuntarily select NCOs or NCOs may volunteer for AIT Platoon Sergeant Duty". AIT Platoon Sergeants are typically assigned to TRADOC locations that reflect their present Career Management Field (CMF), but can be sent to other installations if needed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps</span> Military unit

The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (AROTC) is the United States Army component of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. It is the largest Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program which is a group of college and university-based officer training programs for training commissioned officers for the United States Army and its reserves components: the Army Reserves and the Army National Guard. There are over 30,000 Army ROTC cadets enrolled in 274 ROTC programs at major universities throughout the United States. These schools are categorized as Military Colleges (MC), Military Junior Colleges (MJC) and Civilian Colleges (CC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Recruiting and Retention College</span> Military unit

The United States Army Recruiting and Retention College (RRC), located at Fort Knox, Kentucky, serves as the United States Army training brigade responsible for providing U.S. Army officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) with the knowledge, skills, and techniques to conduct recruiting and career counselor duties for the United States Army and Army Reserve at the company, battalion, brigade, and headquarters levels.

References

  1. "Army Basic Training Locations". US Army Basic. 3 June 2012.
  2. "Prepare for Boot Camp". US Army Basic Combat Training. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  3. McIntyre, Cindy (1 June 2017). "High schoolers enter Army through Split Option program". U.S. Army. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  4. "Major General Von Steuben". Steuben Society of America. 2014. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  5. "Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery". U.S. Army Center of Military History. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  6. Hemmis, Timothy C. (June 2021). "Learning "The Dreadful Trade of Death" Training the U.S. Army at Legionville, 1792-1793". Military Review . Army University Press: 123. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  7. "Discipline & Training of Soldiers". Civil War Leadership. Michigan State University. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  8. Crane 2019, p. 1.
  9. "Training the Soldier". National Archives. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  10. Crane 2019, p. i.
  11. 1 2 Crane 2019, p. 4.
  12. "World War II Core Area". U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  13. Crane 2019, p. 27.
  14. Crane 2019, p. 24.
  15. Crane 2019, p. 33.
  16. Crane 2019, p. 43.
  17. Crane 2019, p. iii.
  18. "Army Training Phase Restrictions". US Military.About.com. 19 June 2010. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  19. "Surviving Army Basic Training". US Military.About.com. 19 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  20. "The Sounds of Basic Training". U.S. Army Training Center – Fort Jackson, SC.
  21. "What to Expect". Fort Jackson, SC. Archived from the original on 22 February 2004.
  22. "Basic Combat Training > Week 00: Reception". GoArmy.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2007.
  23. "Program helping more Soldiers return to BCT". United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. 8 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  24. 1 2 "Basic Combat Training". GoArmy.com. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  25. "The US Army Adjutant General School". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.
  26. "U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019.
  27. "U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Benning". U.S. Army. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  28. "1st Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 3 June 2008.
  29. "United States Army Aviation Logistics School". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  30. "US Army Chaplain Center and School (USACHCS)". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  31. "U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  32. "US Army Engineer School". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  33. "U.S. Army Field Artillery School". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  34. "Financial Management School, Fort Jackson SC". U.S. Army. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  35. "Infantry School, Fort Benning". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009.
  36. "304th Military Intelligence Battalion". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 12 August 2007.
  37. "United States Army Military Police School". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 8 April 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  38. "United States Army Ordnance Corps and School". U.S. Army.
  39. "Quartermaster School – Fort Lee, Virginia". U.S. Army. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  40. "15th Regimental Signal Brigade, Fort Gordon". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  41. "U.S. Army Transportation School". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010.
  42. "Army Basic Training – Entry-Level Separation (ELS)". US Military.About.com. 19 June 2010. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2011.

Sources