Basic Training

iRebel

What was your experience?
What was the effect on your weight/fitness?
What advise would you give/ what do you wish you knew before entering?

iRebel

Anyone?

Tyrone_S

Results are at least 70% diet. Train as hard as you like, you won't get stuff all if you don't eat right.

gbbhey

If this is in reference to basic military training, I have some inputs. I went through about 5 years ago, but I doubt much has changed. As far as exercise goes, they will make sure you get plenty of it. You'll do pushups, and then more pushups, and when you think your done, they'll ask you to push some more. Lots of core/ab exercises too. You'll run quite a bit too.

I lost nearly 30 lbs when I went through BMT, but gained it all back within 6 months after. My body was literally running on fumes, and once you get out I didn't pay any attention to diet. Don't lose your mind like I did. Sure, an occasional ice cream cone is ok, but not when it's paired with Burger King 4 or 5 days of week.

I'll think of more, but feel free to add me as a friend if you have any other questions, or if this was even about joining the military.

jg627

I gained ~5-10 lbs between basic training and AIT (6 month period). Started mid to upper 160's. Ended lower to mid 170's. I ate as much as I was allowed. I didn't hold anything back at the dining facility. Cardio, cardio, cardio. You're going to be constantly sore for the first few weeks. When they tell you to count your pushups, don't bother. Every one is zero. They'll give you a manual to read. Read it, unless you like doing pushups until you puke.

dcurzon

I thought this was an S&M thread, sorry

iRebel

I am thinking about going into the AirForce branch

jg627

I am thinking about going into the AirForce branch

The chair force is less intense than the army or marines.

iRebel

I gained ~5-10 lbs between basic training and AIT (6 month period). Started mid to upper 160's. Ended lower to mid 170's. I ate as much as I was allowed. I didn't hold anything back at the dining facility. Cardio, cardio, cardio. You're going to be constantly sore for the first few weeks. When they tell you to count your pushups, don't bother. Every one is zero. They'll give you a manual to read. Read it, unless you like doing pushups until you puke.

thanks- I'll keep that in mind! I am not good at pushups... they are gonna have fun with that, aren't they?

jg627

I gained ~5-10 lbs between basic training and AIT (6 month period). Started mid to upper 160's. Ended lower to mid 170's. I ate as much as I was allowed. I didn't hold anything back at the dining facility. Cardio, cardio, cardio. You're going to be constantly sore for the first few weeks. When they tell you to count your pushups, don't bother. Every one is zero. They'll give you a manual to read. Read it, unless you like doing pushups until you puke.

thanks- I'll keep that in mind! I am not good at pushups... they are gonna have fun with that, aren't they?

I'm pretty sure you will still have a pretty good appreciation for pushups by the time you're done.

iRebel

I am thinking about going into the AirForce branch

The chair force is less intense than the army or marines.

Navy is also an option- I want to get my PharmD, and that is why I want to enlist.

iRebel

I gained ~5-10 lbs between basic training and AIT (6 month period). Started mid to upper 160's. Ended lower to mid 170's. I ate as much as I was allowed. I didn't hold anything back at the dining facility. Cardio, cardio, cardio. You're going to be constantly sore for the first few weeks. When they tell you to count your pushups, don't bother. Every one is zero. They'll give you a manual to read. Read it, unless you like doing pushups until you puke.

thanks- I'll keep that in mind! I am not good at pushups... they are gonna have fun with that, aren't they?

I'm pretty sure you will still have a pretty good appreciation for pushups by the time you're done.

I can barely do one on my toes...

jg627

I am thinking about going into the AirForce branch

The chair force is less intense than the army or marines.

Navy is also an option- I want to get my PharmD, and that is why I want to enlist.

I couldn't handle being stuck on a boat. The isolation of basic training was bad enough for me. Then again, not everyone who joins the navy gets stuck on a boat. Just keep that in mind.

ScatteredThoughts

What time frame are you looking at for enlisting? It has been over 20 years since I was in the US Army, but I recall that I was very much unprepared for basic training. My job prior to enlisting didn't involve very much physical activity, and it showed. I ended up with shin splints and a small stress fracture, which set me back a ways.

Prepare beforehand as best you can.

iRebel

I want to enlist so I can become a Pharmacist in the military, The branches that offer training in pharmacy are Navy, Air force that I remember. I don't think I really get how this works.... I should probably meet with a recruiter

Tyrone_S

Results are at least 70% diet. Train as hard as you like, you won't get stuff all if you don't eat right.

oooh this is Military basic training. Not from the States, didn't get it. Same thing can still apply I guess.

jg627

I want to enlist so I can become a Pharmacist in the military, The branches that offer training in pharmacy are Navy, Air force that I remember. I don't think I really get how this works.... I should probably meet with a recruiter

Army would probably be an option too, but not marines. The navy takes care of the jar heads.

iRebel

jar heads?

jg627

Results are at least 70% diet. Train as hard as you like, you won't get stuff all if you don't eat right.

oooh this is Military basic training. Not from the States, didn't get it. Same thing can still apply I guess.

I was fed really well in the army. MRE's sucked, but you're not going to be in the field all the time, unless you're in the special forces. For breakfast they had buckets of melted butter and syrup for my french toast and sausages to swim in, eggs, bacon, omelets, a seemingly unlimited supply of whole milk, a salad bar loaded with fruit. The coffee tasted like pee. I strongly suggest avoiding that.

jg627

jar heads?

Marines. They have a distinctly shaped hat that resembles the lid of a jar.

iRebel

ohh. Random question: I've grown up vegetarian. will they be sensitive to that or do I have to deal? (if I eat meat, I throw up.)

jg627

ohh. Random question: I've grown up vegetarian. will they be sensitive to that or do I have to deal? (if I eat meat, I throw up.)

I highly doubt it.

iRebel

is it easy to fail?

jg627

is it easy to fail?

It's pretty hard to fail actually.

magj0y

I want to enlist so I can become a Pharmacist in the military, The branches that offer training in pharmacy are Navy, Air force that I remember. I don't think I really get how this works.... I should probably meet with a recruiter

^^Talk to a recruiter

This will help you;
hundredpushups.com

and start running. There is also the reserves.

iRebel

I want to enlist so I can become a Pharmacist in the military, The branches that offer training in pharmacy are Navy, Air force that I remember. I don't think I really get how this works.... I should probably meet with a recruiter

^^Talk to a recruiter

This will help you;
hundredpushups.com

and start running. There is also the reserves.

thanks!

nphect

What was your experience?
What was the effect on your weight/fitness?
What advise would you give/ what do you wish you knew before entering?

It was an experience!

the effect it had was i gained some weight , i was pretty thin, and i ran faster and got more muscle. I went from running a 16-17 2 mintues mile, to a 14 minute mile. That really taught me that a lot of is is the mind and desire, cause most people don't shed that kind of time in 2 months unless you were a prior athlete, and knew already.

i wish i would have worked out more before i entered, i worked out, but not entirely enough, whatever your workout regime is, up it bigtime, because if your not in shape, they will get you in shape, and its either painful now or their way, and if you do it before hand, you will look better.

iRebel

What was your experience?
What was the effect on your weight/fitness?
What advise would you give/ what do you wish you knew before entering?

It was an experience!

the effect it had was i gained some weight , i was pretty thin, and i ran faster and got more muscle. I went from running a 16-17 2 mintues mile, to a 14 minute mile. That really taught me that a lot of is is the mind and desire, cause most people don't shed that kind of time in 2 months unless you were a prior athlete, and knew already.

i wish i would have worked out more before i entered, i worked out, but not entirely enough, whatever your workout regime is, up it bigtime, because if your not in shape, they will get you in shape, and its either painful now or their way, and if you do it before hand, you will look better.

did they require that time for your mile?

nphect

for an 18 year old female in basic this is what you have to pass to get out of basic:

pushups in 2 minutes : 13

situps in 2 minutes: 47

2 mile run : 19:42 (or faster)

SVCat

I went through a while back.

Some basic advice:

1) Never take a swing at a drill sergeant.
2) Push yourself...depending on your branch and specialty, you may be tested in ways that will make you dig in deep...deeper than you ever imagined you were able to do dig.
3) Do what you're told...you can run, weight train, and train in all ways possible...you can't train for sleep depravation, hunger, and different weather conditions...it's not for everyone. You definitely have to be mentally tough.

As fo rme...I added 12 lbs...I was already in excellent physical condition...the running didn't do much to me....but when combined with what I said above, it definitely tests you.

Good look to you

RGv2

I gained ~5-10 lbs between basic training and AIT (6 month period). Started mid to upper 160's. Ended lower to mid 170's. I ate as much as I was allowed. I didn't hold anything back at the dining facility. Cardio, cardio, cardio. You're going to be constantly sore for the first few weeks. When they tell you to count your pushups, don't bother. Every one is zero. They'll give you a manual to read. Read it, unless you like doing pushups until you puke.

thanks- I'll keep that in mind! I am not good at pushups... they are gonna have fun with that, aren't they?

I'm pretty sure you will still have a pretty good appreciation for pushups by the time you're done.

I can barely do one on my toes...

You know that you do need to perform a minimum amount of push-ups to even get into Basic Training, correct?