A few things that need to be said to those that visit these boards:

To the Poolies/wanna be's/deppers, etc. - there is no stupid question before you get there - ask now or regret it later. Unless it is so senseless you are being frivalous, silly, or trying to stir up some excitement by doing what we refer to as 'trolling'. Avoid the silliness and you'll likley get a response that will help - act ignorant, you'll be treated like... your ignorant - It's really that simple.

To the vets that want to hammer them for "stupid" questions - lighten up - you were there once too, and if you had an internet medium available to you 'in your day' would have used it. Answer their questions, and remember you were once in the same position, and I'm pretty sure we have all asked stupid questions at some point.

Lastly - to those who haven't been there but pass advice freely - don't. I do not pass information on Marine, AF, Navy, Coast Guard boot (or what-ever the other services call it) becuase I haven't been there - if you haven't been there, don't answer - it's that simple. If your not sure of the information you provide, say so...if it's based upon what you saw once upon a time, say so... Honest questions deserve honest answers - not opinions or perceptions.

Army recruits, you want answers about BT, ask me -I'll tell you what I know, and only what I know - I don't fill in the blanks with "I think" or "I heard" - suggest you file information that comes with those caveats accordingly.

I am a former Army Drill Sergeant, and recently retired from the service - much has changed since I was a drill, even since I retired (Sept 03), but certain things will always remain the same - I'll help you where I can.

'Nuff said.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SFC_Hix_Ret,

Thanks for the chance to ask some questions. I'm 27 years old and I'm getting ready to go to MEPS in early March. I started out 2 and a half months ago trying to get into shape. I went from 254lbs to 234lbs currently. I'm at 28% body fat and my recruiter said that I have to be at 26%. I'm dedicated and that's not a problem. My question is this: If you go to basic only being able to do 30 push ups and 35-40 situps will you servive? I can run the mile in 7:23 and 2 miles in 16:50 currently. I guess I just don't want to be that guy that is the slowest or the guy thats letting every one down.

actually, you are comparativley in a decent starting position - with two months to go you can easily drop the weight - limit the carbs as much as possible, drink LOTS of water, and work your way up to a 40 minute aroebic work-out - you can easily drop that weight.

As far as your run and push-up's go you will be assesed before you ship to BCT - those that are introuble will be culled and sent to the FTC (fitness training company) - you are already well above the cut, no worries there.

A common misperception is that you will run with everyone else, in one group - this is the exception, not the norm - after your initial diagnostic pt test runners will be place in ability groups - Fastest, Fast, and medium - there is no slow group - you will improve your run time, guaranteed. With a starting time of 16:50 for 2 miles your in good shape going in -keep working on it though - don't get complacent before you go.

Allow your body breaks - don't continually beat it down - Heavy day (upper body strength), Run day, off day - repeat the cycle - you can even break the upper body muscles into two groups and do:
Heavy day, group 1 muscles
Run day
Heavy day group 2 mucles
Break.

or

Heavy GP1
Heavy GP2
Run
Break...

Again, going in your in a decent position - you'll do fine - many, believe it or not, go in not being able to do 10 push-ups or even complete a two mile run.

Good luck

Thank you for the reply. I feel much better about my situation.

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A common misperception is that you will run with everyone else, in one group - this is the exception, not the norm - after your initial diagnostic pt test runners will be place in ability groups

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SFC,
I have to disagree here. After a couple weeks of running on the track (and getting smoked for being too slow ), they moved us to the AGR's. A, B, C and yes even D. A ran a 6:30 mile, B ran a 6:3o mile, C ran a 6:30 mile and D just got yelled at. Basically, the DS's just ran us to death, no matter your ability. Let's not lead the poor boy on

it appears your post just validated mine... so you did run in ability groups, per TRADOC regulation, after you were "broke in" on a track -it sounds as though your total control phase was also applied to your pt program - kept in a more controlled environment for a period. Not a requirement per reg, but more a reflection of command philosophy.

lastly you spent a couple of weeks running in a group, then HOW MANY weeks running in ability groups? That would make running in groups the less common occurance, as I stated in the original post.

You had a slow group - unusual, but based upon need, standard operating procedure and yes, command philosophy.

I think I made it clear his run time would improve, which implies he will run his a$$ off, regardless of ability.

How much better is good enough? A bit better than the last performance.

Was most of your running done on a track during BCT at Benning? If not, how/where did you run? Also, did you find it affected you to run long distances on an empty stomach (since PT is before breakfast)?

What were some exercises you would do on a typical non-running day? I read that they are mainly variations of pushups and situps, but what exactly are they?

Also, I am at the 100% score level for APFT running and situps, but am only cranking out 60 pushups in two minutes (I have to do 77 at my age group). Did you notice anything special the guys at BCT who were maxing out the pushups did?

I just want to get a mental picture of how things will be when I get there in February. Man, I'm excited! Thanks!

quote:

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sounds as though your total control phase was also applied to your pt program

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Sergeant....my total control phase was applied to my entire BCT progam lol! My platoon was a bunch of undisciplined goons. BUT~ we won pugils, obstacle course, BRM and PT so like my DS said "we may be stupid, but we are strong"

Ride:
Was most of your running done on a track during BCT at Benning? Yes. Even after a couple weeks when we moved to AGR's on the road, we still ran on the track during our "non-running days"

Also, did you find it affected you to run long distances on an empty stomach (since PT is before breakfast)? Actually, running on an empty stomach turns out to be a good thing. You run on water and it works! You will have no problem being hungry. The Army diet is designed that way.

What were some exercises you would do on a typical non-running day? Pushups, situps and running We ran ALL the time. Our DS loved to run us up hills, down hills, in the morning, at night, everywhere. We ran to the obstacle course, ran the obstacle course then ran back from the obstacle course. It sucked.

I read that they are mainly variations of pushups and situps, but what exactly are they? Honestly, I just did them however they told me to.

Also, I am at the 100% score level for APFT running and situps, but am only cranking out 60 pushups in two minutes (I have to do 77 at my age group). Did you notice anything special the guys at BCT who were maxing out the pushups did? Yes. Knock out a set of 10 and rest. Bust out a set of 10 then rest. Do this 6 times to get 60 in the first minute and then rest. In the 2nd minute, you then have plenty of time to breeze. Also, our DS told us not to work on pushups on our own time but rather situps. He insisted improving situps improves everything else. Finally, you will have a weight bench in your barracks so bench when you can.

Thanks so much for your response. Definitely valuable information for someone prepping for Benning!

Also, SFC_Hix_Ret, thanks for starting this thread.


(FYI - Just edited to correct a misspelling).

hooah, hope it helps.

Good luck on your journey

Push ups?? Are recruits allowed to do them on their fits??,In my case i had and injury on my left wrist and i cant do push ups on my left palm,will i have any problem with this??

Sgt Hix, Thanks from a Marine.....Semper Fi.

SFC Hix,
Could you tell us roughly what the 2 mile APFT running times are for the 3 (Fastest, Fast, Medium) Running Groups?

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Originally posted by joelm:
Push ups?? Are recruits allowed to do them on their fits??,In my case i had and injury on my left wrist and i cant do push ups on my left palm,will i have any problem with this??

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sorry all...been pretty busy at work - short answer: yes.

Longer answer: As long as when you change your "stance" (palm to fist, ect) you do not lift a hand in the process of doing so - if you do the repetition will not count and you will be warned. Do it again and you can, and likely will be terminated.

"Because I said so! Now Drop!"

quote:

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Originally posted by mamarudy:
SFC Hix,
Could you tell us roughly what the 2 mile APFT running times are for the 3 (Fastest, Fast, Medium) Running Groups?

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again, sorry for being slow for getting back to you - this will vary extensively - even within units that are in the same battalion. The first diagnostic run for time will be used to determine the unit "mean" run times - the groups will then be broken up accordingly to try to challenge all - so understanding that this is simply an example that WILL vary - based on my experience I say average times for the groups are: (also, these time will be adjusted after each PFT to ensure everyone remains challenged)

FASTEST: 13:30 min 2 miles and under

FAST 13:31 - 16:30

MEDIUM 16:31 and above (this is a Fast medium group for a unit just starting BT - will normally see this group running 17-18 minutes with other groups adjusted accordingly)

some units have no slow - a slow is created by gathering up the dropouts from the medium group.

My battalion did not have a slow group - however, we had a "special needs" group (and yes, the name is a slight - incentive to get out of the group) -that ran sprints rather than LSD (long - slow distance) more than anything else - the intent was to increase their lung capacity and push them beyond what they believed their limits were - very effective - this was only used on the slowest of the slow or those that lacked the mental toughness to finish a run - this group usually met twice on run days - oh'dark thirty (am) and oh'dark thirty (pm).

Again - these times are approximations based upon what I would guess our average group times were - WILL VARY.

"Because I said so! Now Drop!"

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Originally posted by Dougz1:
Sgt Hix, Thanks from a Marine.....Semper Fi.

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you Marines are ooooook in my book.

"Because I said so! Now Drop!"

What about Navy basic training? Is the PT the same? I am worried mostly about the swimming . Fill me in please........educate me

Sorry partner - against my morals to tell you something I know nothing about - I'd like to help, but can't.

"Because I said so! Now Drop!"

I have a quick question.....I am thinking about joinin the Army...But 1 thing is holding me back....I hate heights....I can repell from like 30 feet but anything higher than that I don't care 4 much, Will this be a Problem durin basic?

Thanx 4 your time

You may have some challenges on the confidence course - but I put 100's of privates through that were afraid of heights - many had anxiety so bad they were practically paralized..

Do not intrepret this in a negative manner- it isn't meant that way, but right now,

you have no idea what you are capable of - you can overcome that - if that is all that is holding you back, do it - you'll be glad you did.

"Because I said so! Now Drop!"