The Boot Camp Experience

[Debater Slayer]

If you have been in the military whether as a volunteer or conscript, what was your boot camp like? How long was it, what did it involve, and how did you adapt to it in that transitional phase from civilian to military life?

My boot camp as a conscript was 25 days long. Typically, it lasts for 45 days, but it was shortened that year due to COVID. I'm interested to share and compare details of it with others here who have been in the military.

 

[Sand Dancer]

If you have been in the army whether as a volunteer or conscript, what was your boot camp like? How long was it, what did it involve, and how did you adapt to it in that transitional phase from civilian to military life?

My boot camp as a conscript was 25 days long. Typically, it lasts for 45 days, but it was shortened that year due to COVID. I'm interested to share and compare details of it with others here who have been in the army.

Just the Army folks?

 

[Debater Slayer]

Just the Army folks?

What do you mean? Not sure I understand.

 

[Sand Dancer]

What do you mean? Not sure I understand.

I was Air Force. You specified Army. I felt left out. lol

 

[Debater Slayer]

I was Air Force. You specified Army. I felt left out. lol

Oh, I meant the military in general. Where I live, "army" generally (at least colloquially) covers all branches of the military, including the navy and air force.

I have edited the OP to replace "army" with "military" for clarity.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Oh, I meant the military in general. Where I live, "army" generally (at least colloquially) covers all branches of the military, including the navy and air force.

I have edited the OP to replace "army" with "military" for clarity.

Aw, I wasn't insulted or slighted, just curious. Basic was 6 weeks long but seemed like 6 years. lol At least I got to be in Drum & Bugle, so we didn't have to march as much or do chow hall chores.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Aw, I wasn't insulted or slighted, just curious. Basic was 6 weeks long but seemed like 6 years. lol At least I got to be in Drum & Bugle, so we didn't have to march as much or do chow hall chores.

What made it seem like six years? Did you get deployed anywhere after? Hopefully it wasn't during wartime.

 

[Sand Dancer]

It was during Desert Storm, but I wasn't deployed. It was just hard, but of course it was meant to be. They dictate your life 24/7 and I wasn't a very disciplined or responsible person then. That's one reason I joined though, so I guess it worked. lol

 

[Twilight Hue]

If you have been in the military whether as a volunteer or conscript, what was your boot camp like? How long was it, what did it involve, and how did you adapt to it in that transitional phase from civilian to military life?

My boot camp as a conscript was 25 days long. Typically, it lasts for 45 days, but it was shortened that year due to COVID. I'm interested to share and compare details of it with others here who have been in the military.

8 weeks boot (Army) not including AIT which can last a few months to over a year depending on the MOS.

Imo it now is far more lax then the older generation in my family. In those days the instructors could actually hit you during training.

My friends father, a marine, had his toe broken by his DI when he stomped it with his foot. Ouch but it made for a far tougher soldier than what we have now.

 

[Sand Dancer]

8 weeks boot (Army) not including AIT which can last a few months to over a year depending on the MOS.

Imo it now is far more lax then the older generation in my family. In those days the instructors could actually hit you during training.

My friends father, a marine, had his toe broken by his DI when he stomped it with his foot. Ouch but it made for a far tougher soldier than what we have now.

Yes, we just call it "tech school." Mine lasted 9 months but I retrained into a different field after I washed out of my previous one. Oh my gosh, that's horrible that they could physically damage someone! To me anyway. No hitting allowed when I was in, but they could sure yell at you right in your face. When I was at my first duty station, a young guy actually said basic training was fun. Okay, that's just messed up.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Yes, we just call it "tech school." Mine lasted 9 months but I retrained into a different field after I washed out of my previous one. Oh my gosh, that's horrible that they could physically damage someone! To me anyway. No hitting allowed when I was in, but they could sure yell at you right in your face. When I was at my first duty station, a young guy actually said basic training was fun. Okay, that's just messed up.

I think people forget the reason why they are in the military. It's war. And if you cannot handle that simulated reality in training, your not going to survive in a real wartime theater because it's going to be a billion times worse.

That why the older generation are far more prepared than the generation today.

Combat readiness is at a crisis low because military training is more of a glee club now as compared to actual raw training by the older generations to face the visceral raw realities of warfare.

I kind of knew that in the back of my head during my time in the military as reliance on war technology superceded the ability to withstand direct confrontation in a war environment.

I think some will adjust though if and when an individual faces that brutality.