Basic Training by Branch


Army Basic Combat Training

Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) is designed to teach you to survive and fight effectively in combat. Also, BCT has become more intense. You will carry and maintain your rifle for nine weeks, train in heavy body armor, and spend a total of three weeks in the field. You will learn to shoot from vehicles, clear buildings, and use nearly every weapon in the US arsenal. BCT focuses entirely on modern ground combat.

Processing

You will spend several days in-processing before your training formally begins. You will be issued your clothing and gear, go through medical screening, and take an initial physical training test. Finally, you meet your instructors who will guide nearly every move you make for the next 9 weeks.

BCT Locations:

  • US Army Infantry Training Center, Fort Benning, Georgia
  • Fort Jackson, South Carolina
  • Fort Knox, Kentucky
  • Fort Sill, Oklahoma
  • Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

Weeks 1-3: Basics of Soldiering

The first three weeks cover the basics of soldiering. You will be issued uniforms, a haircut, and an M16 rifle. You will begin to learn how to work under stress, and start to become physically fit. You will learn Army heritage and to live by the Army Core Values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. By the end of Red Phase, you will begin to look and act like a soldier.

Weeks 1-3 include:

  • Army Heritage and Core Values
  • Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
  • 3 km and 6 km Road Marches
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Communications
  • Obstacle Courses and Rappel
  • Drill and Ceremony

  • First Aid
  • Hand-to-Hand Combat
  • M-16 Rifle Introduction
  • Map Reading and Land Navigation
  • Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Training
  • Mines and Improvised Explosive Devices

Weeks 4-6: Marksmanship and Combat Training

The second phase of training is about combat. You'll continue to work on your fitness while becoming a competent marksman with your rifle. You'll become familiar with other weapons used by the US military, and move on to more advanced infantry tactics. As you train, you'll become more confident in your abilities as a soldier.

Weeks 4-6 include:

  • Physical Conditioning
  • M-16 Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM)
  • 6 km and 10 km Road Marches
  • Tactical Training, Patrol Base Operations
  • Hand Grenades

  • M2 Machine Gun
  • M203 Grenade Launcher
  • Pugil and Bayonet Training
  • Rifle Qualification

Weeks 7-9: Advanced Combat Skills

The last three weeks of training are intense. You put everything you've learned together. You learn to shoot in combat situations: from vehicles, inside buildings, and at moving targets. Your training culminates on the Night Infiltration Course, where you have to move in the dark under live machine gun fire and explosions. You will earn your Rites of Passage, and then graduate to become an Army soldier.

Weeks 7-9 include:

  • Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
  • Anti-Armor AT-4 Rocket
  • Advanced Rifle Marksmanship with optics
  • Battle March and Shoot
  • Convoy Operations and Live Fire
  • 12 km and 16 km Road Marches

  • M240B Machine Gun
  • M249 SAW Machine Gun
  • Advanced Tactical Training
  • Rules of Engagement
  • Night Infiltration Course
  • Graduation Ceremony

Navy Boot Camp

Navy Boot Camp transforms civilians — many of whom have never set foot on a ship — into Sailors. From firefighting aboard a ship, to navigation at sea, to firing navy weapons, boot camp is about seamanship in the Navy. You will learn on a land-bound training ship, complete with watertight compartments, simulated fires, and many other obstacles a Sailor may face at sea. You will graduate from training to become a part of the largest naval force on earth.

Processing

You will spend several days in-processing before your training formally begins. You will be issued your clothing and gear, go through medical screening, and take an initial physical training test. Finally, you are introduced to your instructors who will guide nearly every move you make for the next 8 weeks.

Boot Camp Location:

  • Great Lakes, Illinois

Weeks 1-3: Confidence Course and Land-Bound Training Ship

The first week covers the basics of serving in the Navy. You will learn the laws of the Navy, and learn to live by the Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. You will begin physical training and learn to work with a team. Most importantly, you will begin to learn seamanship. You will learn hands-on aboard a land-bound training ship. You will practice first aid, navigation, and communication as though you are at sea. At the end of the week, you and your team will be tested as you get the ship underway for a voyage, and then bring it back into port.

Weeks 1-3 include:

  • Navy Heritage and Core Values
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Swimming
  • Drill and Ceremony
  • Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
  • Obstacle Course
  • Teamwork

  • Physical Conditioning
  • Basic Seamanship
  • Ship and Aircraft Identification
  • First Aid
  • Shipboard Communication
  • Customs and Courtesies
  • Laws of Warfare

Weeks 4-5: Weapons

If you've never fired a weapon before, pay special attention! You will learn each weapon inside and out before you head to the range. You will only have to qualify with the M-16 rifle, but you will shoot a shotgun and pistol as well. Also, focusing on the future, you will begin to learn about and plan your career in the Navy.

Weeks 4-5 include:

  • M-16 Rifle
  • M870 Shotgun
  • M9 Service Pistol
  • Career Counseling
  • Physical Conditioning

Weeks 6-8: Damage Control and Battle Stations

Your seamanship training continues this week as you learn damage control. Lessons are hands-on: real fires, real watertight compartments, and real equipment. You also take your final Physical Training and Swim tests. In week 7, all your knowledge will be put to the test in 12 Battle Stations. You will complete tasks as a team and compete with other recruits. At the conclusion of Battle Stations, you will have your Capping Ceremony, where you are acknowledged as being what you have become: a Navy Sailor. Your friends and family then gather to see you graduate in ceremony.

Weeks 6-8 include:

  • Firefighting
  • Emergency Escape
  • Watertight Doors and Compartments
  • Oxygen Breathing Apparatus
  • Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical
  • Team Obstacle Course

  • Physical Training (PT) Test
  • Swim Test
  • Battle Stations: scenarios completed in teams
  • Capping Ceremony
  • Inspection
  • Graduation

Air Force Basic Military Training

The Air Force may not have a large force of ground-pounders or sailors, but that doesn't mean its recruits are any less prepared for military service than other branches of the armed forces. Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) is physically and mentally challenging, and places special emphasis on leadership, integrity, and decision-making. It also emphasizes academics: every recruit is enlisted in the Community College of the Air Force.

Processing

You will spend several days in-processing before your training formally begins. You will be issued your clothing and gear, go through medical screening, and take an initial physical training test. Finally, you are introduced to your instructors who will guide nearly every move you make for the next 8 weeks.

BMT Location:

  • Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

Weeks 1-2: Basics of the Air Force

You are issued an M-16 rifle and taught the basics of marksmanship, and begin learning tactical movements. You will also be introduced to the Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Weeks 1-2 include:

  • Career Guidance
  • Air Force Heritage and Core Values
  • Drill and Ceremony
  • Law of Armed Warfare
  • Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
  • M-16 Rifle
  • Tactical Movement
  • Force Protection
  • Physical Conditioning

Weeks 3-5: Combat and Marksmanship

You'll continue to work on your fitness while becoming a competent marksman with your rifle. You'll become familiar with more advanced combat tactics. And as you train, you'll become more confident in your abilities as an airman.

Weeks 3-5 include:

  • First Aid/Combat Lifesaving
  • Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC)
  • Obstacle Course
  • Tactical Movement
  • M-16 Rifle Fire
  • Pugil Sticks
  • Physical Conditioning

Weeks 6-8: Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training

By now you've learned enough to become an airman—but you still have to prove you are one. The BEAST (Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training) will stretch you mentally and physically more than anything else up to this point in your training. Once you complete it, you'll prepare to be recognized at graduation as an airman.

Weeks 6-8 include:

  • Physical Conditioning
  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
  • The BEAST: 6 days of practical application
  • Air Force History and Heritage
  • Drill and Ceremony
  • Airmanship
  • Graduation

Marine Corps Recruit Training

Marine Corps Recruit Training is the longest and most physically demanding basic training. Every Marine is trained to fight. Recruit Training emphasizes the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and rifle marksmanship. You will make the Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment part of your daily life. And, because the Marines operate from sea, you will have to become a competent swimmer. Recruit Training is long and intense, and not for everyone.

Processing

You will spend several days in-processing before your training formally begins. Recruits arrive late at night and receive the "Welcome Aboard" speech. You will be issued your clothing and gear, go through medical screening, and perform the Initial Strength Test. Finally, you are introduced to your drill instructors who will guide nearly every move you make for the next 12 weeks.

Recruit Training Locations:

  • Parris Island, South Carolina
  • San Diego, California

Weeks 1-4: Basics of being a Marine

You have to learn what it means to be a Marine before you can become one. You will learn Marine Corps history, courtesies, and the Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. You will begin learning to work under stress immediately, and it will only intensify as your training progresses. You will be conditioned physically every day, and be challenged physically by a variety of obstacle courses. You will begin learning to fight like a Marine in martial arts training. And because Marines fight from sea, you will have to pass a swim test to move on to the next phase of training.

Weeks 1-4 include:

  • Marine Corps Heritage and Core Values
  • Drill and Ceremony
  • Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
  • Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
  • Interior Guard
  • Physical Conditioning
  • First Aid
  • Pugil Sticks

  • Leadership
  • Laws of Warfare
  • 5 km and 8 km Marches
  • Obstacle Courses
  • Nuclear, Biological, Chemical
    (NBC)
  • Rappelling
  • Swim Training

Weeks 5-8: Rifle Marksmanship

The next phase of training focuses on a Marine's primary function: firing the M-16 rifle. You will spend days “dry firing,” without ammunition, and then learning to shoot with live ammunition. To keep you focused on finishing, company photographs are also taken this week. You will begin learning to work as a team in combat situations. Finally, you will qualify with your rifle.

Weeks 5-8 include:

  • 10 km and 12 km March
  • M-16 Rifle Training
  • Rifle Marksmanship
  • Rifle Qualification

  • Physical Conditioning
  • Obstacle Courses
  • Teamwork
  • Combat Tactics

Weeks 9-12: Combat Skills and Tactics

With graduation on the horizon, you will begin learning more advanced tactics and skills. You will learn to navigate by map and compass, and to fire your rifle on the move. The final Physical Fitness Test gives you a chance to prove you're fit to be a Marine. Then you must face The Crucible: a 54-hour test of skill, endurance, and knowledge. It culminates with the Night Assault Course, where you will move in simulated combat under real machine gun fire. Those who succeed are rewarded the Globe and Anchor emblem of the Marine Corps, and are presented to family and friends as US Marines at the final graduation ceremony.

Weeks 9-12 include:

  • Land Navigation and Map Reading
  • Combat and Movement Tactics
  • Combat Leadership
  • Operational and Communication Security
  • Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
  • Drill and Ceremony Final Presentation
  • Inspection
  • Graduation

The Crucible:

  • 10 km and 15 km Marches
  • 8 km Night March
  • Warrior/Core Values Stations
  • Night Assault Course
  • Emblem Ceremony
  • Warriors' Breakfast

Coast Guard Basic Training

Coast Guard Basic Training transforms civilians—many of whom have never set foot on a ship—into Guardians. From firefighting aboard a ship, to navigation at sea, to firing weapons, Basic Training is all about seamanship in the Coast Guard. You will learn hands-on aboard a land-bound training ship, complete with watertight compartments, simulated fires, and many other obstacles a Guardian may face at sea.

Processing

You will spend several days in-processing before your training formally begins. You will be issued your clothing and gear, go through medical screening, and take an initial physical training test. Finally, you are introduced to your instructors who will guide nearly every move you make for the next 8 weeks.

Basic Training Location:

  • Cape May, New Jersey

Weeks 1-2: Learning the Basics

The first week covers the basics of serving in the Coast Guard. You will learn the laws that govern your time in the Coast Guard, and learn to live by the Coast Guard Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The second week is all about teamwork and physical conditioning. You will go through several obstacle courses designed to simulate challenges you may face at sea.

Weeks 1-2 include:

  • Coast Guard Heritage and Core Values
  • Drill and Ceremony
  • Weapons Issue
  • Teamwork
  • Physical Conditioning

Week 3-5: Seamanship

Seamanship encompasses many tasks, so you will learn hands-on aboard a land-bound training ship. You will practice first aid, navigation, and communication as though you are at sea. At the end of the week, you and your team will be tested as you get the ship underway for a voyage, and then bring it back into port. You will also learn each Coast Guard weapon inside and out before you head to the range. Also, focusing on the future, you will begin to learn about and plan your career in the Coast Guard.

Weeks 3-5 include:

  • Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Drill and Ceremony
  • Seamanship
  • Nautical Terms
  • Ship and Aircraft Identification
  • Line Handling
  • Rescue Swimming and Survival Gear

  • P229 Pistol
  • M1 Garand Rifle
  • Physical Fitness Test
  • Rates (Coast Guard Jobs)
  • Hand-to-Hand Combat, Pugil Sticks
  • Communications
  • Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
  • Orders and Stationing

Week 6-8: Damage Control

Your seamanship training continues this week as you learn damage control. Lessons are hands-on: real fires, real watertight compartments, and real equipment. You also will take your final Physical Training and Swim tests this week. Finally, your friends and family can gather to see you graduate in ceremony.

Weeks 6-8 include:

  • Firefighting
  • Physical Training (PT) Test
  • Swim Qualification
  • Oxygen Breathing Apparatus
  • Career Counseling
  • Pugil Sticks

  • First Aid and CPR
  • Uniform Inspection
  • Seamanship Finals
  • Confidence Obstacle Course
  • Graduation