So you’ve decided to join the military. Congratulations on your first step toward a fulfilling career! But now you must think about how to prepare for basic training. Your time in the military starts when you leave for boot camp, so it’s best to prepare for what you’ll endure during the process.

Once you emerge from basic, you can start your career and climb up the ranks. We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips so you can start on the right foot.

What is Basic Training?

If you don’t know, basic training or military recruit training prepares recruits for the physical, mental, and emotional demands of active duty service. Boot camp is known to be intensive and resocializes recruits for the military lifestyle.

At basic training, you’ll learn discipline, how to work with a team, weapon handling, and more. You’ll discover how to serve your country with honor, loyalty, and discipline.

Each branch has its own form of basic training with different requirements, locations, and durations. You can ask your recruiter about what to expect from boot camp so you can gain a better idea of your potential experience.

7 Tips for Preparing for Basic Training

Even if you know where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, and what you must do, you still need to complete additional steps to prepare for basic training. Below, you’ll find tips to help you be as successful as possible while you adjust to a new lifestyle:

1. Prepare Your Family

One of the first things you should do is prepare your family for your absence while you’re away. You’ll likely find it challenging to communicate while you’re at basic. You may only be able to reach out to family members a few times a week, maybe even as little as once a week. Letting your family know that communication may be limited can help reduce their anxieties.

If there’s an emergency, the fastest way you’re family can get you home is by contacting the Red Cross. Once the Red Cross verifies the situation, they’ll contact your command to arrange emergency leave.

2. Arrange Your Finances

If you’ve enlisted in the military right out of high school, you likely won’t have any debt or expenses to worry about. However, many people who enlist in the military have finances to consider, and maybe even a spouse and children. If you have expenses or people who financially rely on you, you’ll want to arrange your finances until you return from basic.

Different ways you can handle your expenses and finances include:

●Setting up automatic payments

●Give a trusted loved one access to your banking account and bills

●Create a list of payments, their amounts, and their due dates

If you don’t arrange your finances, you could hurt your credit score, which can take a few years to repair. Financial problems can also make it more challenging to gain a security clearance.

3. Research the Military Lifestyle

Before you head off to basic training, you should learn more about the military lifestyle. You can ask your recruiter questions or look for forums online that are populated by active and retired service members. You can also ask friends or family members who have served about what to expect. Knowing what you might experience in the military can help you feel more prepared to tackle basic.

4. Anticipate the Physical Demands

Each branch of the military will have different physical requirements, and all new recruits will need to pass a Physical Fitness Test (PFT). You’ll want to research the specific requirements for the branch you’re interested in or have enlisted into.

Before you ship off, you’ll want to visit your doctor to discuss your workout plan. Having a solid workout routine before you leave for basic will make it easier to handle the challenges and achieve the minimum requirements for service.

5. Take Care of Your Body

You should aim to leave for basic in prime physical condition. Boot camp will be physically grueling to prepare you for military life, so you want to go in with your best foot forward. Make sure you’re:

●Drinking plenty of water.

●Eating a healthy diet.

●Getting enough sleep.

●Not smoking.

You can also ask your recruiter about the drills you might perform at basic so you can start training in advance, ensuring you can achieve your goals when the moment comes.

6. Pack Appropriately

Basic will last several weeks, regardless of the branch, so you’ll want to pack the right items to support your training. Some things you should bring with you include:

●Clothing: While in basic training, you won’t need a lot of civilian clothing to get you through the weeks. A few days after you arrive, you’ll be issued uniforms you’ll wear throughout your training. However, you’ll want to bring enough underwear and socks to last until you get your uniforms. Don’t bring expensive clothing items since they can be lost, stolen, or damaged.

●Toiletries: You’ll need toiletries to last throughout your training, and the military won’t provide them for you. Bring things like shampoo, conditioner, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, and other essential items. Pack enough for several weeks since you may not be the post or base exchanges may not have the brand you need. Your family can also send you more if you’re close to running out.

●Food: While you can bring snacks on your way to basic, you’ll likely have to toss them out after you arrive. Part of your training is a controlled diet, so you won’t be able to keep any snacks with you. Only pack enough to last you the duration of your trip so you don’t have to throw away good food.

There are also things you shouldn’t bring to basic training, which include expensive personal items, nonprescription drugs, weapons, alcohol, or pets. You can ask your recruiter for a more detailed list of what you can and can’t bring to basic training.

7. Prepare Mentally

Basic training is a mental battle on top of a physical one. You’ll be deviating from your normal lifestyle and your days will be long and maybe even stressful. You’re likely to be yelled at and put to the test, engaging in different drills and exercises early in the morning and all weather conditions.

Remember that basic training is designed to intentionally be difficult. While you’ll encounter challenges during your military career, basic training is there to prepare you. It’s normal to miss your family and to have some adjustment pains. Know that you’ll finish basic training and return to a more rational world with a new, fulfilling career, even if you’re stressed or feeling overwhelmed.

Pack Confidently With Gear From Military Luggage Company

When traveling to basic training, you’ll want to keep your belongings protected. A poorly constructed bag will leave your items more vulnerable to damage, so you should choose a bag that’s designed to withstand the rigors of military life.

Military Luggage Company offers a wide selection of bags you can use for basic training, including duffle bags, backpacks, assault packs, toiletry bags, and more. You can also use these bags as your military career progresses, whether you’re training, going on a mission, or deploying. Browse our selection to start your time in the military off right, or contact us with any questions!