Posted on 03/30/2018 6:26:09 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
Citing a disturbing trend of new soldiers lacking both proper discipline and physical fitness, senior U.S. Army leaders are calling for a tougher and longer basic training program to prepare troops for combat over the next decade.
“We have every reason to get this right, and far fewer reasons not to,” Secretary of the Army Mark Esper said at the Association of the United States Army's Global Force Symposium in Alabama on Monday. “That’s why we are considering several initiatives — from a new physical fitness regime to reforming and extending basic training — in order to ensure our young men and women are prepared for the rigors of high-intensity combat.”
While Esper didn’t divulge any details of what an extended Basic Combat Training (BCT) might look like, the Army has already floated the idea of adding two weeks to its 10-week program. A redesigned BCT is expected to be implemented by early summer.
The current BCT involves a three-stage process, the first of which is the “Red Phase.” Comprising the first three weeks of training, it's where recruits begin to learn drills and ceremonies, the seven “Army Core Values, unarmed combat and first aid. Recruits are also introduced to standard-issue weapons like the M-16 assault rifle and M-4 carbine.
In Phase 2, known as the “White Phase,” soldiers begin target practice with their rifles, and become acquainted with other weapons like grenade launchers and machine guns. The recruits also complete a timed obstacle course and learn to work alongside other soldiers.
The final phase, or “Blue Phase,” sees the soldiers complete the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), learn nighttime combat operations and go on 10- and 15-kilometer field marches.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
That’s a must read/see article and video. Needs its own thread.
But I think it would be great if there was a program to introduce young men to the culture of the military. If there could be military history courses along with the PT it would be great.
Good luck...maybe the Army can send them a text message to put down the smartphone for a minute to listen to the drill sergeant.
—
Whose gonna text the drill sergeant?
I did AF Basic (good old Lackland) in 1981, and then stayed on base for another four months for the first phase of Tech School. May into October. Hot and humid.
The food there was some of the best I had in the AF.....or maybe I was just hungry all the time. I gained 45 pounds at Lackland.
For myself, I was in worse shape after basic, then before I went in. I was in pretty good shape beforehand. Could definitely do more pushups, but everything else - running, pullups, situps was worse. The majority of the guys were worse to start.
There is nothing in the Constitution which authorizes federal spending on education. But federal spending for enhancing the Militia IS something the Constitution would allow.
Eliminate all Dept of Education grants to states and localities. Eliminate the Dept of Education. Replace it with a program which rewards schools (including home schoolers) with a cash grant for every graduate who is able to pass military entrance requirements (regardless of whether the student actually enlists, just that the student WOULD be able to pass entrance requirements).
If you don’t pass, you go home to get into shape at the gym on your own time, and then try again.
When I joined the Marine Corps in 1973 there was a fat boy platoon. You could join the Marine Corps if you were over regulation weight, but you started out in the fat boy platoon and you stayed there until you were deemed fit. Only then did you start basic training with a regular platoon. The fat boy platoon exercised all day long. It probably didn't take those boys long to get their weight down!
Women are given “gender-normed” (easier) passage through naval aviation. It has not been a success (Hultgren, Dolenz).
I like it.
There used to be. Back when I went through Basic, when you were in reception before you went to your training Battery, you took a modified PT test. If you couldn’t meet minimum standards, you went to the PT platoon until you could meet them.
LOL..yep I remember that too.....95% of today’s snowflakes wouldn’t last one day
The Marines do this now...through their high school commitment program.
A friend's son graduates from high school this summer and has already enlisted and has been doing all kinds of weekend physical training and team building exercises. The kid loves it and is already in great shape.
Well, that sounds wonderful. Please extend to that young man my thanks for his commitment to serve.
Good!
Long past time to increase the standards to what they were 25+ years ago (before the stress cards, etc).
But just a month or so ago it was said that they were doing away with land nav and hand grenades as a requirement to graduate from basic..... But then I see why:
“Uh Drill Sergeant, I think I dropped my grenade over there.”
(Face palm)
Two guys who are sorely missed.
I hated all the classroom stuff and would ultimately have to stand up at the back of the classroom or fall asleep at the table which would have resulted in my death.......
We only received minimal training with the M14 and M16 and that was disappointing. Since infantry was never my MOS, I never touched a firearm again.......
Comedy genius.
They do that the first day at the Repo Depot (Reception Bn.).
IIRC they have you do 25 push-ups to be sent to basic. If you can’t make it they send you to the FTU (Fitness Training Unit) for 30 days. They give you two chances at the FTU to pass and if you can’t you’re gone.
Buddy of mine was a Drill Sergeant who spent time whipping slackers into shape at the FTU.
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