A career in the military can be fulfilling, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come without its challenges. You’ll be put to the test in more ways than one, which is why the Department of Defense prepares all new recruits by shipping them off to basic training weeks before they begin their official careers.

If you’re not familiar with basic training, you may have a lot of questions. Below, we’ll guide you through what you can expect at basic training so you can better prepare.

What Is Basic Training?

Basic training, or boot camp, involves training new recruits for the different aspects of their service. You’ll undergo physical, mental, and emotional challenges to help you prepare for the rigors of official military service. Once you wrap up your initial training, you’ll graduate and be sent for additional training if it’s needed for your career in the military. Otherwise, you’ll head to your duty station and start your important work.

How Does Basic Training Differ Between the Branches?

While everyone who enlists in the military will need to go through basic training, there are some differences between basic depending on what branch you’ve enlisted in. It’s important to understand the distinctions between the branches so you can better prepare for boot camp, both physically and mentally.

Army

Army basic training lasts about 10 weeks and takes place in multiple different locations across the United States, including:

●Fort Benning

●Fort Knox

●Fort Jackson

●Fort Leonard Wood

●Fort Sill

Once you arrive at your designated boot camp location, you’ll start developing skills that will be crucial for your career in the military, such as weapon handling, discipline, teamwork, and more. Army boot camp is meant to push you to your limits to ensure you can endure a career in the military where you’ll often face challenging situations and operations.

During Army basic training, you’ll also be required to meet specific physical fitness requirements, which include:

●Timed 2-mile run

●1 to 5-minute plank

●2 minutes of hand-release pushups

●3 reps of maximum deadlifts

●Sprint-drag-carry at 50m for 5 reps

●10lb standing power throw

You’ll also follow a specific schedule for the 10-week period, which will start with week 0 or Reception Batllion. This is where you’ll complete all your paperwork, receive your uniforms, take physical exams, and receive any necessary immunizations. From here, you’ll go through Phase One (weeks one to three), Phase Two (weeks four through five), Phase Three (weeks six through nine), and finally graduation in the final week.

Navy

Like Army basic training, Navy boot camp lasts about 10 weeks. However, Navy basic training only takes place in Great Lakes, Illinois at the Great Lakes Recruit Training Command. Just like any other branch, you will need to meet specific physical requirements, which are:

●Timed 1.5-mile run

●2 minutes of pushups

●30-second planks for 20 seconds

The schedule for the Navy boot first starts with week one, which is processing and similar to week 0 in Army boot camp. Weeks two and three will be introduction and weeks four to six will be your hands-on training. The seventh week will involve evaluations and week eight will be Battle Stations, or a final training exercise. Once you reach week nine, you’ll start preparing for A school and graduate in week ten.

Marine Corps

The Marines have a longer boot camp that lasts around 13 weeks, and you will either be sent to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Paris Island, South Carolina, or the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. The physical requirements you’ll need to meet will include:

●Push-ups or pull-ups

●Timed 3-mile run

●Timed plank or crunches

The Marine Corps boot camp occurs in four phases. The first phase is Receiving and the first three weeks of training. Then you’ll move on to phase two (weeks four through seven), phase three (weeks eight through ten), and phase four (weeks 11 through 12). On the 13th week, you’ll participate in graduation before officially starting your career or additional training.

Air Force

The Air Force has one of the shorter boot camps that lasts about seven and a half weeks and takes place in Joint Base San Antonio Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. You will need to meet the following physical requirements while you’re at Air Force basic:

●Timed 1.5-mile run

●2 minutes of sit-ups

●2 minutes of push-ups

Once you arrive, you’ll start with week 0, which is similar to other branches' first week at basic. This is where you’ll complete paperwork, receive immunizations, receive uniforms, and other first-week tasks. As each week progresses, you’ll learn important skills that will be critical to your success as an Airman until you finally reach graduation in the seventh week.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard boot camp lasts eight weeks and occurs at Cape May Coast Guard Training Center in Camp May, New Jersey. Just like every other branch, you will have specific physical requirements to meet, which include:

●Timed 1.5-mile run

●1 minute of sit-ups

●1 minute of push-ups

During the first week of Coast Guard basic training, you’ll go through orientation, take your physical exams, receive your uniforms, and meet your leaders. As the weeks pass, you’ll learn about becoming a member of the Coast Guard and receive hands-on training so you can become good at the job you’ll be doing. Once you hit week 8, you’ll graduate before going to your first unit to get your bearings before deciding on a career and heading off to advanced specialty training.

Space Force

Like the Air Force, the Space Force’s basic training lasts about seven and a half weeks. You’ll be sent to the same location as the Air Force at the Joint Base San Antonio Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. The physical requirements you’ll need to meet are:

●Timed 1.5-mile run

●2 minutes of sit-ups

●2 minutes of push-ups

Guardians, or members of the Space Force, attend the same basic training as the Air Force. The difference is that Guardians will undergo additional physical training and classroom training. Once you reach the end of the seven and a half weeks, you’ll graduate and start your career as a Guardian in the newest branch of the United States military.

What You Can Expect During Basic Training

Despite the differences between each branch at basic training, you’ll have some shared experiences with everyone. While your experience may be different, some of the things you can expect at boot camp include:

1. Orientation

At every boot camp for each branch, you will go through orientation or reception, which is also referred to as week 0 in some branches. This week will be the very start of your training that leads up to your career in the military.

When you arrive at boot camp, you’ll finish any paperwork you haven’t done before. You’ll also take your first physical fitness test, get a haircut, receive your uniforms, and receive your immunizations. Once you complete all of these requirements, you’ll officially start your training for whatever branch you’ve chosen.

2. Structured Daily Routine

Once you start your training, you’ll have a structured daily routine that may look different than what you’re used to at home. This routine is meant to help you adjust to how life will be like once you start your career.

Your routine may vary slightly depending on your branch and training, but generally, you’ll start each day by waking up early, usually around 4:30 a.m. You will need to show up to formation by 5 a.m. and begin physical training. After, you’ll have a quick breakfast followed by more training, lunch, training, and a break for dinner. In the evening, you’ll likely have to clean the barracks or complete other tasks and have some personal time until 9 p.m. when it’s lights out.

You will follow this general schedule for the weeks you’re at basic, with some changes in your training schedule as you progress through basic. Expect to stay busy until you make it to graduation.

3. Limited Outside Contact

When you’re at boot camp, you’ll have opportunities to call loved ones, but you won’t be able to contact them as frequently as you would in the outside world. Your main focus is meant to be on your training, so outside contact is intentionally limited so you can stay concentrated on the task at hand.

4. Intense Physical and Mental Training

One of the main things you should expect from boot camp is intense physical and mental training. You will put your body and mind to the test, spending long hours performing physically demanding tasks and spending time learning about the ins and outs of your work. Putting your capabilities to the limits will help prepare you for the rigorous work you may be exposed to once you officially start your career.

What Happens Once Your Graduate Basic?

You'll start your career once you finish basic training, and you’ll likely be sent off to complete additional training. For example, Army graduates will likely attend Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and Airmen graduates will head to tech school to train in their specific occupation. The length of time you’re participating in this additional training varies depending on your job, and some may not require additional training so you can start working shortly after graduation.

Start Your Military Career Off Right With Gear From MLC

No matter what branch you’re joining or how long you’ll be at basic training, you’ll need a high-quality selection of gear to help you in your career. Military Luggage Company has a wide selection of bags, packs, and cases designed for tactical and casual use. Service members can find the luggage they need to haul their gear and equipment during their operations, including assault packs, rucksacks, loadout bags, kit bags, and more. Find what you need for your career by browsing our complete selection, or contact us with any questions!