When a person tries to get into the US military, there's one big
hurdle that he always has to jump through, no matter what branch of
the military he is joining. It's basic training or, as it is better
known to the world, "boot camp". I know, I know, you may think you
just need to grit your teeth and tough it out like in the movies but
it's rarely that easy. Getting into the military is serious business
and all branches of the military try to do their best to weed out the
chaff.
A large amount of enlisters wash out in boot camp. Most of them fail
because they weren't exactly prepared for what was to come. Yeah, I
know, strange considering with the way we are bombarded by images of
boot camp in various forms of media, but then Hollywood boot camp
isn't exactly the real military boot camp. Here's a simple guide to
help you survive basic training whatever branch of the US military you
decided to join.
1) Boot Camp Is Worse Than You Can Ever Imagine: Let's be direct here
- it is bad, really bad and you will probably go through hell while
doing it. Basic training is designed to put you under the greatest
physical and mental stress you can imagine. Strict regimentation and
grueling physical exercise combine to try and strip away "you" as an
individual and create you into a soldier of the United States of
America. There are a whole lot of people in the world and some people
can only take so much stress. You need to be physically and mentally
stuff before you go in there or you wash out.
2) Be Prepared: Whatever branch of the military you're trying to
enter, it's always good to prepare for what is to come, both in mind
and in body. Different branches have different requirements. The Army
and the Marine Corps are probably the most physically demanding of the
bunch. This is not to say that the other programs are a snap, they're
just slightly less strenuous on you, which is still quite a bit of
pressure on your body. Doing a steady regimen of exercise before going
to boot camp can help get you through it. Reading up on the branch of
the military you're going into can also help - each service has its
own traditions and values and knowing them in advance can help you
avoid quite a bit of pain.
3) Follow Orders: Yeah, we've all seen the trope in the movies: the
belligerent class clown in basic training triumphs in the end. Trust
me, he doesn't; in the real world, he'll probably wash out with a lot
of bruises, mentally and physically. Boot camp is to prepare you for a
future in the military and every branch of the military asks for one
thing: complete obedience to superiors and the chain of command. Of
course, there's a bit of wiggle room there when you go up higher in
the ranks but in boot camp, you're the lowest of the low and are
expected to follow all your drill instructors tell you.
4) Think It Over: Seriously ask yourself this question: "Do you really
want or need to be in the Army/Air Force/Navy?" Don't just decide on
it as a spur-of-a-moment thing. If you're not a hundred percent about
it, better skip the pain of basic training and go through an alternate
career path.
There you go, four simple pointers to help you get through boot camp
and into the military. Hope this helps you get through and start you
on your military career.
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