Anyone here hoping to join the military?

Holly_Roman_Empire

I know this topic has been inactive, but I hope I can reactivate it? Anyway… hi. My #1 goal is to be able to finally join the military next year, around this time. I have wanted to for YEARS but never motivated myself enough to get off my butt and work for it. Now I am, and that inspiration has kept me going for over 46 days. I am ready and willing, and driven to succeed. I have a ways to go but I am already doing well and I won't give up this time.

I am doing good with cardio but I REALLY need to start running, weight/strength training, and a lot more. I wanted to get a trainer for some of that but I don't have the $$$$ right now. Been looking into doing a 5K… would that be a good idea, since I'm such a beginner?

A few years ago I was in touch with a Navy recruiter that was willing to help me, but I lost touch with him and don't have his contact info anymore. An Army recruiter visited my house once too but I didn't get to speak to them. I'm probably going to look into that again. I am primarily considering Navy and Army, but who knows… if I can get my PT into proper shape, we'll see.

I have a lot more to say and more questions too, but I will hold off until I know if this post can be reactivated or if a new version is needed.

How good you are at physical training doesn't really matter as far as which branch you should go into. The Air Force has a higher threshold for test scores. That's why I picked it. Plus, the quarters are better for Air Force than the other branches, especially when deployed.

Tigg_er

@ HolleyDubs I can for sure understand that. It is a lot harder working those types of shifts , especially working Command Post under constant stress the whole shift. Eating sometimes what ever you can get your hands whenever you can with little time for sleep much less anything else. Flew with Looking Glass for a number of years then moved to a FWD Combat Controller so I can for sure relate.

Thank you for your service, Yours was not an easy job . :drinker:

ewc0125

Try connecting with a recruiter. Before i joined i was 10 pounds over weight and he helped me a lot. They will also be able to give you a mock pt test and let you know where you need to be.

BEquality

I know this topic has been inactive, but I hope I can reactivate it? Anyway… hi. My #1 goal is to be able to finally join the military next year, around this time. I have wanted to for YEARS but never motivated myself enough to get off my butt and work for it. Now I am, and that inspiration has kept me going for over 46 days. I am ready and willing, and driven to succeed. I have a ways to go but I am already doing well and I won't give up this time.

I am doing good with cardio but I REALLY need to start running, weight/strength training, and a lot more. I wanted to get a trainer for some of that but I don't have the $$$$ right now. Been looking into doing a 5K… would that be a good idea, since I'm such a beginner?

A few years ago I was in touch with a Navy recruiter that was willing to help me, but I lost touch with him and don't have his contact info anymore. An Army recruiter visited my house once too but I didn't get to speak to them. I'm probably going to look into that again. I am primarily considering Navy and Army, but who knows… if I can get my PT into proper shape, we'll see.

I have a lot more to say and more questions too, but I will hold off until I know if this post can be reactivated or if a new version is needed.

How good you are at physical training doesn't really matter as far as which branch you should go into. The Air Force has a higher threshold for test scores. That's why I picked it. Plus, the quarters are better for Air Force than the other branches, especially when deployed.

I just meant that… Right now, I'm not in shape to do a PT test of any kind, not just because of my weight. I've been on MFP, exercising, and eating better for only just under 50 days now. I'm doing well but most of my exercise is cardio. I would just like to do more strength/weight training and PT-type exercises, so that when the time comes for me to do PT tests and hopefully PT at BCT and beyond, I don't look like a joke. I have a lot of weight to lose before I can "make weight" to join, but at the same time I am trying to work on my endurance/PT so that I can go far above and beyond the minimum requirements.

I feel like I should've made my own thread about this, maybe. :embarassed: Maybe I still should.

jkal1979

I know this topic has been inactive, but I hope I can reactivate it? Anyway… hi. My #1 goal is to be able to finally join the military next year, around this time. I have wanted to for YEARS but never motivated myself enough to get off my butt and work for it. Now I am, and that inspiration has kept me going for over 46 days. I am ready and willing, and driven to succeed. I have a ways to go but I am already doing well and I won't give up this time.

I am doing good with cardio but I REALLY need to start running, weight/strength training, and a lot more. I wanted to get a trainer for some of that but I don't have the $$$$ right now. Been looking into doing a 5K… would that be a good idea, since I'm such a beginner?

A few years ago I was in touch with a Navy recruiter that was willing to help me, but I lost touch with him and don't have his contact info anymore. An Army recruiter visited my house once too but I didn't get to speak to them. I'm probably going to look into that again. I am primarily considering Navy and Army, but who knows… if I can get my PT into proper shape, we'll see.

I have a lot more to say and more questions too, but I will hold off until I know if this post can be reactivated or if a new version is needed.

How good you are at physical training doesn't really matter as far as which branch you should go into. The Air Force has a higher threshold for test scores. That's why I picked it. Plus, the quarters are better for Air Force than the other branches, especially when deployed.

I just meant that… Right now, I'm not in shape to do a PT test of any kind, not just because of my weight. I've been on MFP, exercising, and eating better for only just under 50 days now. I'm doing well but most of my exercise is cardio. I would just like to do more strength/weight training and PT-type exercises, so that when the time comes for me to do PT tests and hopefully PT at BCT and beyond, I don't look like a joke. I have a lot of weight to lose before I can "make weight" to join, but at the same time I am trying to work on my endurance/PT so that I can go far above and beyond the minimum requirements.

I feel like I should've made my own thread about this, maybe. :embarassed: Maybe I still should.

I'm not sure how the other branches are, but here is my advice based on my experience with the Army.

Focus on push-ups and sit-ups and running.

Look into the C25K program. It will help build up your running over a 8 week period.

If push-ups are a struggle, start doing them on your knees and make sure that you are going down far enough.

You can Google Army APFT and it will give you a chart of what the standards are for graduating BCT and for the rest of the Army. Military.com also has a lot of information and gives a breakdown by branch.

Talk to a recruiter as well. They can help you with what you need to do. I had never ran before but my recruiter would take me out running and have me do something similar to the C25K program.

Peloton73

I just retired in June with 23 years of service split between the Army and Coast Guard. I was in awesome shape in the Army due to the mandatory PT. The Coast Guard takes a more personal initiative approach, although more standardized fitness at the unit level is taking place due the amount of sedentary youth joining. In the Coast Guard you have to be personally committed to maintaining fitness or else the semi-annual weigh ins will sneak up on you for a shock.

I second the poster who said pick a job and then decide if the service is right for you. You will be miserable joining and then not liking your job. Being happy leads to being a high performer.

In closing. Push ups and running are your friend. Good luck!

jlederman71

Have to strongly agree with the post from ITOD. My son is also a Marine, and the best thing he did was go to the recruiting station every Tues and Thurdsay to workout with the poolees. Boot camp was hard (as it should be) but he was more than ready when he got there!

Holly_Roman_Empire

I know this topic has been inactive, but I hope I can reactivate it? Anyway… hi. My #1 goal is to be able to finally join the military next year, around this time. I have wanted to for YEARS but never motivated myself enough to get off my butt and work for it. Now I am, and that inspiration has kept me going for over 46 days. I am ready and willing, and driven to succeed. I have a ways to go but I am already doing well and I won't give up this time.

I am doing good with cardio but I REALLY need to start running, weight/strength training, and a lot more. I wanted to get a trainer for some of that but I don't have the $$$$ right now. Been looking into doing a 5K… would that be a good idea, since I'm such a beginner?

A few years ago I was in touch with a Navy recruiter that was willing to help me, but I lost touch with him and don't have his contact info anymore. An Army recruiter visited my house once too but I didn't get to speak to them. I'm probably going to look into that again. I am primarily considering Navy and Army, but who knows… if I can get my PT into proper shape, we'll see.

I have a lot more to say and more questions too, but I will hold off until I know if this post can be reactivated or if a new version is needed.

How good you are at physical training doesn't really matter as far as which branch you should go into. The Air Force has a higher threshold for test scores. That's why I picked it. Plus, the quarters are better for Air Force than the other branches, especially when deployed.

I just meant that… Right now, I'm not in shape to do a PT test of any kind, not just because of my weight. I've been on MFP, exercising, and eating better for only just under 50 days now. I'm doing well but most of my exercise is cardio. I would just like to do more strength/weight training and PT-type exercises, so that when the time comes for me to do PT tests and hopefully PT at BCT and beyond, I don't look like a joke. I have a lot of weight to lose before I can "make weight" to join, but at the same time I am trying to work on my endurance/PT so that I can go far above and beyond the minimum requirements.

I feel like I should've made my own thread about this, maybe. :embarassed: Maybe I still should.

Cardio and bodyweight exercises are all you're going to do in basic training for any branch, so you're doing pretty good. Running was anything from one mile to 4 miles at a time. Here's a list of exercises we did besides running:

up-downs/burpees
mountain climbers
pyramid pushups
diamond pushups
flutter kicks
squats
lunges
planks
situps

And as an aside, something you'll want to get good at is holding your arms straight out from your body for a long period of time. I'm talking like ten minutes at a time. This was common punishment for us, and it often involved us holding our rifle straight out from our body. It sucks.

If you can do all of the exercises above even half-decent, you're going to be doing better than a lot of females that go in. The best way to get good at these exercises is to just do them. I'm going to disagree with the advice to do pushups on your knees, though. Not only is it bad on your knees, it doesn't help you build the core strength required to do a real pushup. Instead, start out against the kitchen countertop, then the dining table, then a chair, step stool, then the floor.

BEquality

(I still feel kind of bad about using the OP's thread... should I make my own?)

I'm not sure how the other branches are, but here is my advice based on my experience with the Army.

Focus on push-ups and sit-ups and running.

Look into the C25K program. It will help build up your running over a 8 week period.

If push-ups are a struggle, start doing them on your knees and make sure that you are going down far enough.

You can Google Army APFT and it will give you a chart of what the standards are for graduating BCT and for the rest of the Army. Military.com also has a lot of information and gives a breakdown by branch.

Talk to a recruiter as well. They can help you with what you need to do. I had never ran before but my recruiter would take me out running and have me do something similar to the C25K program.

Thank you so much for the tips, @jkal1979! (Also, THANK YOU for your service.) I am bad at push-ups and sit-ups... and running... so I really appreciate the suggestions of what to focus on. I found http://www.military.com/military-fitness/ recently... haven't gone through it as much as I should, but I'm getting back into focus this week.

I've heard about the C25K program a lot since joining MFP... now I'm definitely going to investigate it. Actually... I've been thinking about doing either a local Mud Run in September, or the Color Run in October. They're kinda pricey for me, but... hmm. It might be worth it to do one or both. (I keep debating it!)

Something's up with the Navy site so I'm going to contact an Army recruiter too, for sure. (I've considered AF and USMC but I don't know.) My brother-in-law (Army MP) is stationed at Schofield Barracks right now, but I think he signed up with the same recruiter I'll probably end up talking to. (I also want to start preparing for the ASVAB too. I am not worried about the grammar/reading sections, but the math sections scare me... and I want to score high so I don't worry about not qualifying for the MOSs I prefer.) Aaanyway.

Cardio and bodyweight exercises are all you're going to do in basic training for any branch, so you're doing pretty good. Running was anything from one mile to 4 miles at a time. Here's a list of exercises we did besides running:

up-downs/burpees
mountain climbers
pyramid pushups
diamond pushups
flutter kicks
squats
lunges
planks
situps

And as an aside, something you'll want to get good at is holding your arms straight out from your body for a long period of time. I'm talking like ten minutes at a time. This was common punishment for us, and it often involved us holding our rifle straight out from our body. It sucks.

If you can do all of the exercises above even half-decent, you're going to be doing better than a lot of females that go in. The best way to get good at these exercises is to just do them. I'm going to disagree with the advice to do pushups on your knees, though. Not only is it bad on your knees, it doesn't help you build the core strength required to do a real pushup. Instead, start out against the kitchen countertop, then the dining table, then a chair, step stool, then the floor.

Thank you, @hollydubs85! And, Thank you for your service. I really appreciate the suggestions of the exercises you listed. I don't know a lot about them, but I know I need to work hard on them. I'm also practicing holding my arms straight out too, often with some kind of weight or whatnot in my hands. I've seen that in videos I've watched... and I'm not afraid of it, but I definitely need practice with it. But I'm looking forward to improving with all of those exercises, and sit-ups, push-ups, and running too.

To be honest, even though I know I have a long way to go, I am really excited. I think about this every day, and it motivates me so much. I wish I had worked harder for it years ago like I wanted to.