Photo by SFC Brian Hamilton / DVIDS
Before you get shipped off to Army Basic Training, you’ll probably want to know how long you’ll be there and what you will be required to do.
Basic Combat Training or Boot Camp is a 10-week training course designed to turn ordinary men and women into exceptional U.S. soldiers.
While at Basic Training new Army recruits will train for 12-14 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. Sunday is reserved for religious services and personal time.
A few highlights include taking the Army Physical Fitness Test multiple times, learning to march and being issued your own M16A4.
Basic Training Schedule
Army Basic Training is broken down into three phases: Red, White and Blue. Each phase lasts about 3 weeks, with family day and graduation occurring in the 10th week.
Below is a summary of the training courses and exercises that will be covered in each phase. While your schedule may vary, this will give you a general idea of what type of activities will be taking place over the next 10 weeks.
Red Phase (Week 1-3)
- Physical Readiness Training
- Rifle Marksmanship
- Victory Tower
- Team Development Course
- First Aid Parts 1 and 2
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN)
- Dress and Appearance
- Equal Opportunity, Sexual Harassment, Assault Reporting and Prevention (EO/SHARP)
- Land Navigation
- Global Assessment Tool
- Endurance Obstacle Course
- Hearing Conservation
- Personal Finance Management
- Law of Land Warfare
- Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
- Drill and Ceremonies
- Field Training Exercises (FTX) #1
White Phase (Week 4-6)
- Physical Readiness Training
- Rifle Marksmanship (Group and Zero)
- BRM Single and Multiples
- BRM Field Fire
- BRM Prequal and Qual
- Drill and Ceremonies (Marching)
- FM2
- First Aid Parts 3 and 4
- Deferred Issue
- Army Physical Fitness Test #2
- Field Training Exercises #2
- US Weapons
- Night Infiltration Course
- Urban Assault Course
- Combat Lifesaver Testing
- Confidence Obstacle Course
Blue Phase (Week 7-10)
- Physical Readiness Training
- Rifle Marksmanship
- Medical Skills Training
- Bastogne
- Hand Grenade Qualification
- Buddy Team Live Fire
- Convoy Live Fire
- Fugils
- End of Cycle APFT
- Victory Forge
- Drill and Ceremonies Competition
- Best Squad Competition
- Sex Signals
- Inspection 4
- Family Day
- Graduation
Conclusion
Army Basic Training is only 10 weeks, but for most new recruits it will feel like a lifetime. Having to do both physical training and classroom activities for 12 hours per day will be an exhausting process.
However, at the end of boot camp each new soldier will be well prepared to serve their country with confidence and pride.
Did we miss any parts of Basic Training that you would like us to add? Just let us know.