|
|
|||||||
|
|
Basic Combat Training
(BCT) This week by week
information is adapted from the Guide for New Soldiers and Their
Families, which is published by the U.S. Army. The first stop for Army basic combat training is at reception. This can last for a few days or possibly even a few weeks. Many Army soldiers describe this phase as incredibly boring. For the sake of your soldier, hope that he moves quickly from reception to BCT. During
the first few weeks of BCT, he is under what is referred to as “total
control.” In this phase, he will have very little free time, his
showers and meals will be timed, and he will have little contact with
his family outside of mail. After he makes it successfully through the
first few weeks, he will begin to earn privileges – to shower for more
than two minutes, to earn passes for a few hours or for the majority of
a day, to earn phone privileges and his food choices will be expanded.
His freedoms will continue to expand as long as he does well. Keep in
mind that privileges for the entire company can be taken away with the
mistake of ONE person in the company. Please keep in mind, this is only a guide. Training can be adapted or changed as needed as far as the schedule is concerned by your soldier's drill sergeant. During
week one, he will: §
Be
introduced to the seven core army values §
Take
his first APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) §
Learn
how to march §
Learn
how to prepare his barracks §
Practice
Drill and Ceremony §
Learn
Special and General Orders §
Learn
the Military Justice System §
Learn
how to disassemble, reassemble, clean and sight his M-16A2 rifle During
week two, he will: §
Learn
unarmed combat skills §
Learn
first aid §
Learn
map reading and navigation §
Rappel
from a 30 foot platform (Victory Tower) §
Learn
the Army value of Loyalty and the importance of teamwork §
Learn
how to set up a tent for a bivouac During
week three, he will: §
Be
introduced to the bayonet and basic bayonet movements §
Become
more familiar with his M16A2 rifle as he practices basic marksmanship §
Learn
to defend himself from chemical attack §
Continue
to improve his fitness through physical training §
Learn
the Army value of Duty During
week four, you will: §
Learn
to respect his fellow soldiers and their accomplishments as a team §
Continue
to practice basic rifle marksmanship §
Learn
multiple target detection §
Take
his second APFT §
Learn
the Army value of Respect During
week five, he will: §
Qualify
on his M-16A2 rifle (earn Marksman, Shooter or Expert badge) §
Learn
the Army value of Selfless Service §
Learn
how soldiers have continuously given of themselves throughout the U.S.
Army’s history During
week six, he will: §
Take
his third APFT §
Become
familiar with a variety of U.S. weapons §
Learn
tactical movements techniques §
Participate
in a defensive live-fire exercise §
Learn
the Army value of Honor During
week seven, he will: §
Take
his final APFT §
Learn
the Army value of Integrity §
Take
the confidence course During
week eight, he will: §
Learn
the final Army value of Personal Courage §
Participate
in the Warrior Field Training Exercise During
week nine, you will: §
Prepare
for graduation Of course, along with all of this training, he will also be subject to lots of “smoking.” This is simply where the drill sergeant (DS) makes him do a variety of physical training exercises if he messes up or if someone in his company does. This can range from running to push-ups to flutter kicks. Sometimes his smoking is short and sometimes it can *seem* to last for hours. But it is all a part of making them physically and emotionally prepared for what lies ahead of them. He may also have to do push-ups to receive his mail. Trust me when I say, he will gladly do push-ups to get his mail. Don't short him on letters so he can avoid push-ups. He will end up doing them any way for some other reason, the DS will make sure of that. At least this way he gets a reward (your letter!) when he is done. One final note, I have received emails from many wives and moms who are overly concerned when their soldier is participating in FTX. There is no need for any more concern during these few days than during any other part of their training. As my husband told me, FTX was like a camping trip. That's not to say it wasn't demanding but it is not any more so than other parts of his training.
RELATED LINKS: Before He Leaves...What You Need To Know & Do As An Army Wife Use this checklist as a general guide before he leaves for basic training.
If your soldier's basic training and AIT includes Christmas, you'll want to learn all about Christmas Exodus. Hint: You'll get to see him again!
Writing Letters During Basic and AIT Learn all about your main form of communication with your Army soldier while he is training.
What You Can and Cannot Send Your Soldier During Training Find out what is permissible to send your Army soldier while he is in training and find out what will get him in trouble.
|
|
|||||
|
All rights reserved. Copyright Simply Creative, Inc. |
|||||||
