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I'm not going to get specific, there are a lot of things that change in basic whenever a change is needed. For instance when I went through you were issued your rifle at week 3 (actually your 4th week). However the Lieutenant Navy told us this would be changing since there is so much weapons training that it really acts as a wedge between other training that is needed before you're given the responsibility of having a rifle.
Anyway, here is my advice to those asking questions about "what should I bring", "What should I do", "When will this happen".
In basic training they take every single person in as a completely blank slate. You are a blob that must be formed into what they want so they quite literally guide you through EVERYTHING you do as if you know absolutely nothing. They will flat out teach people how to shave, and I'm not kidding, they did with my platoon. If there is one thing the military is excellent at it's telling you what to do and what is to be expected of you. You don't need to worry about what you will do next, or what you are bringing with you, they'll handle it all.
There aren't really any "tricks" in basic that we can tell you to make things easier, if you know how to do 1 thing that you've picked up from here it won't be a huge help. A lot of basic training is about getting the job done and working together to do it. Whether it's sewing name tags on kit (welcome to week 1), or cleaning your rooms/common areas before inspection. Timings are everything, you need to do just about everything as quickly as you can and your staff will guide you guys through every single thing you do. Very little of what you will do will relate to civilian life, realistically who goes on a ruck sack march on a regular basis? Or who cleans an assault rifle? All of these things will be taught to you, there is a lot of info you'll learn in 14 weeks. Sooner or later you will get a routine down with the people around you and work together to get things done, what is foreign to you now will become second nature.
I think the best quote I've ever read on here was "You will be amazed and at the same time horrified by what you can accomplish in 5 minutes". The few things I can tell you that will truly help you in basic are this. If you aren't working out, start NOW, if you're reasonably fit and not working out, yes you can make it through possibly, but you'll hate yourself for not preparing better and it'll be quite a bit harder. Next, practice some discipline while you're there, don't talk in the ranks, don't fool around on someone else's time and be mature and professional. The people who are immature and who screw around will get grinded until they meet the standard or they get recoursed or VR. If you are respectful, work hard, give it everything you have and push your limits and help out those around you the staff will show you some respect for it and not grind you as hard. I helped out those in my pod (blue sector), I'm mature and I kept my mouth shut. I worked as hard as I possibly could physically and even my own limits, I always went the extra mile and the staff saw that and things were easier for me.
Another piece of advice is this, for some people, myself included the hardest thing about being at basic is being away from home and the loneliness. I've been away from home before, I worked in Calgary for 2 years on my own being from Ontario. However when I left for basic I left a pregnant wife at home, who believe it or not gave birth 2 days before my grad. So, bring phone cards, that's the most important thing you can bring with you, the ones at Canex aren't the greatest, buy about $100 worth of Bell calling cards (no connection/call fee). Talk to your family when you have the time and most importantly rely on those around you in your platoon and be there for them. Those people around you will be your extended family, they will be a support system, they will be your brothers, sisters and for some of the older folks that may be there they may be father/mother figures to you.
One thing I learned there is that there is no stronger bond than one forged through hardship and suffering. When you're exhausted, sore, hot/cold, sick, or falling over tired and someone is there to help you and support you that person is family to you. The funny thing is the hardest times in basic I look back on with the most fondness often because it brought everyone together, there is nothing like getting beasted and being miserable to form a solid friendship and it's something you'll always share.
If anyone wants to post questions about what to expect, about my experiences or anything feel free. I don't think I'll steer anyone wrong, I did well through basic, I was referred to as "one of those guys who keeps the platoon together", I helped out those who needed it and yes took help in the times I needed it to. I was flag party when I graduated and I believe earned the respect of my staff so I'll do my best to give you guys the best info possible. I finished in December so what I know of basic should be pretty up to date and recent in most respects.
If you've just joined congrats and welcome, if you are thinking of it, it's an extremely rewarding experience and you'll have no regrets.
If I get flamed, well, that will just suck lol
Anyway, here is my advice to those asking questions about "what should I bring", "What should I do", "When will this happen".
In basic training they take every single person in as a completely blank slate. You are a blob that must be formed into what they want so they quite literally guide you through EVERYTHING you do as if you know absolutely nothing. They will flat out teach people how to shave, and I'm not kidding, they did with my platoon. If there is one thing the military is excellent at it's telling you what to do and what is to be expected of you. You don't need to worry about what you will do next, or what you are bringing with you, they'll handle it all.
There aren't really any "tricks" in basic that we can tell you to make things easier, if you know how to do 1 thing that you've picked up from here it won't be a huge help. A lot of basic training is about getting the job done and working together to do it. Whether it's sewing name tags on kit (welcome to week 1), or cleaning your rooms/common areas before inspection. Timings are everything, you need to do just about everything as quickly as you can and your staff will guide you guys through every single thing you do. Very little of what you will do will relate to civilian life, realistically who goes on a ruck sack march on a regular basis? Or who cleans an assault rifle? All of these things will be taught to you, there is a lot of info you'll learn in 14 weeks. Sooner or later you will get a routine down with the people around you and work together to get things done, what is foreign to you now will become second nature.
I think the best quote I've ever read on here was "You will be amazed and at the same time horrified by what you can accomplish in 5 minutes". The few things I can tell you that will truly help you in basic are this. If you aren't working out, start NOW, if you're reasonably fit and not working out, yes you can make it through possibly, but you'll hate yourself for not preparing better and it'll be quite a bit harder. Next, practice some discipline while you're there, don't talk in the ranks, don't fool around on someone else's time and be mature and professional. The people who are immature and who screw around will get grinded until they meet the standard or they get recoursed or VR. If you are respectful, work hard, give it everything you have and push your limits and help out those around you the staff will show you some respect for it and not grind you as hard. I helped out those in my pod (blue sector), I'm mature and I kept my mouth shut. I worked as hard as I possibly could physically and even my own limits, I always went the extra mile and the staff saw that and things were easier for me.
Another piece of advice is this, for some people, myself included the hardest thing about being at basic is being away from home and the loneliness. I've been away from home before, I worked in Calgary for 2 years on my own being from Ontario. However when I left for basic I left a pregnant wife at home, who believe it or not gave birth 2 days before my grad. So, bring phone cards, that's the most important thing you can bring with you, the ones at Canex aren't the greatest, buy about $100 worth of Bell calling cards (no connection/call fee). Talk to your family when you have the time and most importantly rely on those around you in your platoon and be there for them. Those people around you will be your extended family, they will be a support system, they will be your brothers, sisters and for some of the older folks that may be there they may be father/mother figures to you.
One thing I learned there is that there is no stronger bond than one forged through hardship and suffering. When you're exhausted, sore, hot/cold, sick, or falling over tired and someone is there to help you and support you that person is family to you. The funny thing is the hardest times in basic I look back on with the most fondness often because it brought everyone together, there is nothing like getting beasted and being miserable to form a solid friendship and it's something you'll always share.
If anyone wants to post questions about what to expect, about my experiences or anything feel free. I don't think I'll steer anyone wrong, I did well through basic, I was referred to as "one of those guys who keeps the platoon together", I helped out those who needed it and yes took help in the times I needed it to. I was flag party when I graduated and I believe earned the respect of my staff so I'll do my best to give you guys the best info possible. I finished in December so what I know of basic should be pretty up to date and recent in most respects.
If you've just joined congrats and welcome, if you are thinking of it, it's an extremely rewarding experience and you'll have no regrets.
If I get flamed, well, that will just suck lol