What Every Soldier Wants to Know about Basic Combat Training

What Every Soldier Wants to Know about Basic Combat Training

Table of Contents What to Bring List Page 3 What to Buy List Page 4 Bundle Pack AAFES Page 5 Prohibited/Allowed Items Page 6 Personnel Processing Page 7 Most Common Myths about Basic Combat Training Page 8 Questions Most Frequently Asked by ARNG Soldiers Page 9-0 2

What to Bring List Table 2-3 Items Future Soldiers should wear or bring to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) on ship-day ITEM MALE FEMALE CLOTHING 2 Wear casual, comfortable clothing: Shirt or blouse (no obscene graphics)(no halter tops or cut-off T-shirts) Slacks or Jeans (no shorts or cut-offs) Complete underwear (You ll get a mini-physical on ship day, no thongs) Pair of comfortable, casual shoes suitable for walking and extended standing and socks (no high heels) (running shoes if possible) Coat or Jacket (seasonal) As needed As needed Bring change of underwear: (male- briefs) (female briefs and bras-white, black or neutral), or sports bras, no thongs (Preferably sports bras) 2 2 Underwear 3 Bras Bring Feminine Sanitary Items As needed MINIMUM PERSONAL HYGIENE ARTICLES: (All Travel Sized items) Shampoo and conditioner ( oz) As needed As needed Soap ( bar soap or oz liquid soap) Anti-perspirant / deodorant (non-aerosol only) Toothbrush and toothpaste Disposable/safety shaving razor (non-electric) Shaving cream (non-aerosol) As needed Comb, brush, hair accessories (black or matching hair color) As needed As needed Combination Lock EYEGLASSES (if prescribed, no faddish/stylish eyewear w/ prescription if available) ALL IMPORTANT PERSONAL DOCUMENTS (check with Recruiter) (IAW AFI 36-3026) Including: Childhood and adolescent immunization records, if available Government-issued photo ID card Marriage certificate, family birth certificates, and their SSN (if married or legally supporting)(original, court-certified copies) SSN Cards (or other Government ID with the SSN) (Copies are ok) Required prescription medications (in original pharmacy container) and/or with a doctor s prescription. FINANCE Not to exceed $50.00 in cash, Traveler s Checks, or Money Orders Checkbook or cancelled check reflecting the account number and ABA routing number to establish direct deposit bank account for military pay ATM card NOTES:. All items must fit into the Army Future Soldier Bag or small airline approved carry on suitcase or gym bag 2. Standardized Table to AR 62-20 (February 20) Soldiers traveling from overseas locations should add change of clothing and underwear (same guidance as above; extra shoes and extra coat not needed) All changes to this list must be submitted on DA form 2028 to the DCG-IMT Reception Battalion Proponent office. 3

Table 2-4 What to Buy List Standardized Table to AR 62-20 (February 20) ITEMS TO BE PURCHASED AT THE RECBN POST EXCHANGE (PX) ITEM MALE FEMALE Toothbrush and toothpaste Bar soap or liquid shower soap Anti-perspirant/deodorant (non aerosol only) Shaving cream/gel Shaving razor (Disposable w/ cartridges) Wash cloth Thong Shower Shoes Running Shoes,3 Bra (white, black, or neutral) 2,3 N/A Sports Bra (white, black, or neutral) 2, 3 N/A 3 Underwear/cotton briefs (white, black, or neutral)(no thongs) 3 6 Socks (white, polyester athletic with no logos IAW AR 670-) 6 6 Laundry Detergent Shampoo As needed As needed Hairbrush or comb As needed As needed Feminine Hygiene Items N/A As needed Optional Hygiene items (Local policy may or may not allow Soldiers to As needed As needed purchase additional hygiene items) RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL ITEMS PURCHASED AT RECBN PX Note: Local policy may modify this list; however Soldiers are not required to re-buy items solely for local cosmetic preferences. Commanders will enforce the NO RE-BUY policy. Foot powder/baby powder As needed As needed Eye Glass Band (glasses wearers only) Dental floss 3+ liter camouflage hydration packs 4 As needed As needed Wash Cloth Flashlight Batteries As Needed As needed Wrist watch Calling cards As needed As needed Stamps As needed As needed Writing pads or stationary material As needed As needed Men s Supporter (Athletic/Biker Shorts) or Spandex NOTES:. Running shoes: Soldiers will purchase a new pair of Army-fitted running shoes at the Post Exchange (PX) while in the Reception Battalion. Reception Battalion Commanders can make case-by-case exceptions not to Re-Buy, if they can verify that Soldiers have brought running shoes that meet condition standards. Soldiers receive a cash allowance for the running shoe purchases. 2. Sports bras. Use regular bra size as a guide for purchasing sports bras. An effective sports bra will minimize vertical movement to a comfortable level. Females may purchase additional regular or sports bras if desired. 3. All the items listed in table 2-4 will be paid for by the Soldiers. Soldiers receive $350.00 (males) or $350.00 (females) on a Stored Value Card containing a pay advance. 4. Commanders can authorize Soldiers to purchase hydration packs IAW AR 670- to meet seasonal requirements. Commanders can standardize pack requirements within units. Insulated packs/drinking tubes, anti-bacterial treated 3+ liter bladders, and NBC mask interfaces are key features. 4 All changes to this list must be submitted on DA form 2028 to the DCG-IMT Reception Battalion Proponent office.

Table 2-5 Bundle Pack - AAFES Standardized Table to AR 62-20 (February 20) BUNDLE Pack PURCHASED AT THE RECBN AAFES Troop Store /POST EXCHANGE (PX) ITEM MALE FEMALE Travel Soap dish Travel toothbrush holder Combination Locks 2 2 Cotton swabs (80) pack pk pk Unscented moist wipes (30) pack pk pk Nail clipper Suede Boot and shoe care kit Neck ID card holder Toiletries bag NOTES: The bundle pack is approximately $27.95; this may vary at the Army training centers. Soldiers may use eagle cash to purchase these items or may be purchased individually if the Soldier does not require all items. All changes to this list must be submitted on DA form 2028 to the DCG-IMT Reception Battalion Proponent office. 5

PROHIBITED ITEMS Do not bring these items or Put them in the Amnesty Box. Weapons 2. Drugs and Narcotics 3. Alcoholic Beverages and Empty Containers 4.Counterfeit plates & Counterfeit Money 5. Tobacco Products 6. Food and Candy Items 7. Obscene, Pornographic and Suggestive Items or Materials 8. Knives Longer than 2 and /2" RETAINED ITEMS Do not bring these items or Turn them in for safe keeping:. High Dollar Value or Sentimental Items These items should be retained:. Prescription Drugs 2. Non Prescription Medications that a Physician has directed you to take 3. Hats and Clothes 4. Personal Hygiene Items 5. Electronic items (cell phones, ipod, MP3, etc.) 9. Gambling Devices, including Cards and Dice 0. Scented lotions, cologne & perfume. Magazines 6

Personnel Processing Required Documents All important personal documents (check with your Recruiter) including: Childhood and adolescent immunization records if available Government-issued photo ID card Required prescription medications (in original pharmacy container) and/or a doctor's prescription If you have family members you will need to bring the following documents for verification to complete an application for their identification card, enter them into the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), start Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Family Separation Allowance (FSA): Recorded Marriage Certificate The marriage certificate must be recorded at the County Recorder or Deeds Office to be a legal document. Most marriage certificates have the marriage book number, page number, and the date the certificate was filed. A copy can be requested from the County Clerk s office. State certified birth certificates for children. Hospital records are NOT legal documents for children. State birth certificates from the Department of Health are the legal documents we need to verify for DEERS. Copies may be requested from the State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics for a small charge. Divorce Decrees If you or your spouse are and/or have been previously divorced, you will need copies of all divorce decrees. All divorce decrees must be a legal document from the court and signed by the judge. Death Certificate If you or your spouse was previously married and the former spouse is deceased, then we must see the death certificate. Court Ordered Paternity For enrollment into Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), fathers must submit a legal document signed by the judge that he is the blood-father of said child. Finance Not to exceed $50 in cash, Traveler's Checks, or money orders. Checkbook and/or ATM card with access to direct deposit account for military pay Finance 3x5 Card with all emergency contact information. Cell phones are prohibited upon arrival. 7

Most Common Myths about Basic Combat Training Myth: I run every day and workout on a regular basis; I am physically fit for Basic Combat Training. Fact: Chances are, your current workout doesn t include exercises you will do at Basic Combat Training. At Basic Combat Training, you will use muscles you didn t know existed and you will use them constantly. Myth: Drill sergeants can physically hurt me Fact: Drill sergeants can t physically harm you. That practice was abolished years ago. The movies you see and the books you read that show such violence are inaccurate unless they take place in the past. Myth: Drill sergeants are trained to hate me, so there is nothing I can do about that Fact: Drill sergeants do not hate you, and they don t want you to hate them. They are motivators and trainers. In order for Drill Sergeants to train you, they need to break you down from civilian to soldier. That takes skill and discipline. You can t expect someone who needs to give you such a transformation to be nice and accommodating. Myth: I heard that I won t be able to contact my friends or family at Basic Combat Training Fact: Yes you will, although you certainly won t get to spend as much time talking to them as you like. Normally, you will get a 3 minute phone call once a week to check in with your family. This phone call is mainly for their benefit, so they know you are ok. Myth: I heard there was no mail at Basic Combat Training Fact: Mail call is one of the best times of the day for a recruit. There is mail at Basic Combat Training. In fact, before you leave, encourage your friends and family to write you often, you will appreciate such a request when you arrive. 8

QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED BY ARNG SOLDIERS. How long is the Basic Combat Training? Basic Combat Training is 0 weeks long. This does not include time spent at Reception Battalion. 2. Could anything cause my training to be longer? YES, being recycled as a new start or held over for missed training, marksmanship, physical or academic failure could lengthen your time spent here for training. 3. What is NEW START/RECYCLE? It is the process of transferring a soldier from one training unit to another training unit that has not progressed as far in the training cycle. 4. What will happen to my Advanced Individual Training (AIT) start date if I am recycled while in Basic Combat Training? Assignment personnel will automatically schedule a new start date for AIT and either you or your company should notify the RC Liaison Office. 5. When will I be paid again? After your pay advance at reception, your next pay will be received in 2-4 weeks. After that, all pay will be received at mid-month and end-of-month. DO NOT close your accounts until thirty (30) days after you leave active duty, so that your accumulated leave and travel pay can be posted to your account. 6. Can I take leave between Basic and AIT? No. Leave is normally authorized only if your AIT is 26 weeks or longer and your orders authorize it. If you are still on active duty during Christmas you will be allowed to take leave at that time as determined by your commander. 7. When can I go home? When you complete your training or are released by proper authority. 8. What if there is an emergency at home? All emergencies will be reported to and verified by the American Red Cross. Your Commander will then be notified and will inform you so that you can take emergency leave if it is authorized. Travel will be at your own expense. 9. What happens if I become physically unable to train? Temporary problems may be handled with a code and a profile from a physician. Permanent injury may result in some type of administrative discharge or reclassification into another MOS. 0. Can I change my Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)? NO. A MOS can only be changed if you are unable to physically or academically perform or by your higher headquarters. 9

QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED BY ARNG SOLDIERS (CONTINUED). What if my orders indicate a MOS different from what I enlisted for at the MEPS? An order may be changed only when an error is verified by the RC Liaison Office. 2. Can I change my enlistment option to split option? NO. Enlistment options are made at the time of enlistment cannot be changed. 3. How do I return home after graduation from training? The Army will provide return transportation to your home, or you may opt for a cash settlement for privately owned vehicles (POV) travel. If you choose POV travel, the request must be done at least one week prior to graduation and YOU will have to complete the paperwork at your unit to be reimbursed. 4. Can I join the Active Army or other active service? NOT while you are in training. You must complete both BCT and AIT, return home and attend drill for six months. Your unit Commander can release you to see an active duty recruiter. 5. Can I go to Airborne or Air Assault training? Only if you are assigned to that type of unit and it must be indicated on your orders. Otherwise, see your unit Readiness NCO when you get home 6. Will I have free time during training? During training, passes are granted at the discretion of the unit commander for specific periods of time. 7. How can I see the RC Liaison NCO? Have your Drill Sergeant make an appointment through the unit Training NCO, if he cannot solve your problem. DO NOT call or come to the Liaison office without going through your chain of command for an appointment. 8. What if I m a split-option trainee and become a new start holdover? Have your Drill Sergeant contact the RC Liaison office immediately so that potential conflicts can be resolved with the appropriate command. 9. What if my graduation date will get me home too late for college or work? Phase split-option are the ONLY soldiers with mandatory return date (MRD). All others will remain until training is completed. 0