A question for all current and ex-military

[Cyborg]

I'm thinking of joining up and want to know what y'all think the best routine is to prepare me for boot camp. I currently run about a mile before I do my heavy bag work 3 days a week, and do the PTP routine. When work doesn't interfere that is.

Any and all advice and/or experiences would be greatly appreciated. :)

[SaMantis]

Um ... if you're not the kind of person who keeps daily track of their body fat and exercise is more of a thing you do for an hour after work rather than 8 hours a day, then ...

Increase your run to 2 miles (for Army), every other day. Even if it's no problem for you to run that distance, you should get accustomed to it. After a week or so of running that, start timing yourself.

Find out what the "proper" pushup and situp methods are for Army/Marine/Air Force testing (they grade a certain type of pushup/situp, not necessarily the exercise that works best for you) and add them to your workout routine. Don't worry about how many, just do them the way the instructions tell you.

inic IS right about body fat; you won't lose too much and lean folks will gain a bit, thanks to a lovely diet of chilimac and meatloaf. Women need to watch out in basic because the bodyfat increase can be an issue.

For people who are out of shape, basic training is not really the best way to get into shape (at least Army/Air Force), you have to start training well before signing up. Most of the dropouts in my basic class were people who'd never exercised before in their lives; even if they weren't overweight the physical strain combined with mental stress just knocked them over.

Don't get in TOO good of shape, though. You'll do really well on your first PT test, the drill sergeants will notice, and the next thing ya know, you're loaded with extra responsibilities like squad leader or latrine sergeant. ;)

[popsider]

I saw a documentary on the French Foreign Legion. They were at a notoriously tough training camp somewhere and said they had had a number of different militaries come down and try out their assault course. According to that the US military are the least physically fit in the world, they were quite impressed with the UK though.

A while back someone said on here that very few people in his regiment (or whatever it was) could run a mile in 6 minutes - if that is typical then I'd have to agree with the French Foreign Legion.

Come on there must be some US military on here that are gonna slaughter me for saying this!

[Cyborg]

Not sure what you mean by 3/4 knee bends though. Are they similar to Hindu squats?

[zen_celt]

I took the the Pre Basic Training Physical Fitness Test. It was a joke. Requirements for males of my age group(18) to get promoted before Basic were about 45 pushups in 2mins, 60 situps in 2 mins, and a 2mile run under 15:54. Sadly only about ten out of 60-70 people passed. To get into Boot Camp, you need to be able to run an 8 minute mile(I think), do a few pushups(it's under 13) and only a few situps if any.
To get ready for the trainng, I'd suggest doing 2 miles minimum every other day like SAMantis said. First focus on distance, then after a while, speed. Do it well before you go and ease up during you first PT test(do well but not overly so). Personally, my routine is going to be about running 2-3miles every other day until it becomes"easy" then add some weights when I do it, since at the end of basic you go on a long hike with a full pack.
Pushup wise, ask your recruiter for your branch's standards on how to do them, we have to break our elbow plane. And then I'd suggest building up on those with a pushup prgram(I have Pavel's if you want it) or doing them in sets to prepare. Also, learn to do them wih your head UP, not facing the ground.
I've also started doing pull ups even though they aren't required, just to know that I'm ready for whatever climbing etc, I might have to do.
Sit ups, again, find the technical standards on how to do them and then build them up through sets etc. If you're going Army, you can also train by doing flutter kicks.
If your going Navy or Marines, learn to swim.
AirForce, train to run long distances and play golf ;)

Right now, I'm about with you(if I read it right). I do PTP every day then abs. I also do bag training every now and then but my focus right now is forms/technique. I finish up with a couple sets of pushups,dips, and pullups as well as weightless squats.

The thing to remember about Boot Camp PT is that it's more endurance than anything else. PTP will help build your strength and I'd stick with that, but for Boot Camp I'd start adding some endurance stuff like the pushups, pullups, situps and RUNNING. You'll thank yourself more if you can do 100 pushups than lift 300 pounds. IMHO

Well, that's my take on it, I'm sure there are other guys on here who have actually gone through basic(I ship to Benning 05February2003) but if you have questions I can answer, feel free to ask. Hope this helps
-ZC

[zen_celt]

I forgot to ask but, what branch/job skill do you want?
Different job skills(Military Occupation Specialty-MOS) have different physical requirements. For instance, an Infantryman would have a tougher PT requirement after Boot Camp than say, an Administration Specialist.
Boot Camp is the same for all jobs, but if you're going Airborne, Pilot, or Special Forces, you need to RUN A LOT(and quickly) and swim well. Since you usually go straight to AIT(job training) right after Boot Camp, it would help to be in the necessary shape prior to Boot Camp.
-ZC

[Merryprankster]

Hey, no offense, but running a 6 min mile isn't that easy. I'm 190 lbs, and in great shape, boxing 3 times a week and grappling/vale tudo, five. I've never been a good runner for distances over 800m, and my best mile time ever was 6 minutes flat--and I had to TRAIN specifically for that. That's why they have other things and use an aggregate score--I always maxed out sit-ups, the shuttle-run, and the broad jump. Don't ask me about pull ups....

Anyhoo, you couls always join the Coast Guard. There's no physical fitness requirement at ALL.... just a weight requirement. Let me tell you how embarrassing that can be....

[{i^(]

So they can wade ashore if their boat sinks.

Being deep-water navy, I always liked that joke....

[Cyborg]

I have to agree with MP on the running. I'll have no trouble doing enough of the pullups, pushups and situps to pass (easily) but at 6' 190Lbs. I can't even float. I'll take a deep breath and sink slowly feet first to the bottom 'til my feet touch. Kind of a bummer. Especially 'cuz I plan on going Marines. But I'm working on the running and have 'til early next year if I even decide that I do want to go this route.

MOS, infantry of some kind.

And speaking of jokes, you do know why the Air Force uses powdered soap don't ya?

[MS2006]

A 6 minute mile is not very tough. Well I geusse it depends on how much you weigh and your stride. All you need to do is pace yourself and practice and it won't be a big deal. I am in cross country and am a freshman and run my first mile of a 5k in 6:20. I run a mile in about 5 mins flat when all I have to do is run 1 mile. By the way I am 108 pounds and am only 5'3 so my stride is not long so for some of you taller guys if you are in shape and work on your stride you should be fine.

[{i^(]

I'm afraid to ask! But go ahead- I'm dying here...

[zen_celt]

MP- I'd have to agree with you on the six minute mile not being easy. Up until I took that test, I never consciously ran a mile under 7. The problem was that the test asks for about an 8min mile. Personally, I think that's relatively easy. But then again, not everyone can run(I hate it). I guess what gets me about the test was that I had not consciously run more than a mile in about 3 years, yet I passed with a good time. Granted, I had been training my pushups and situps and wanted to fall over after the run, but I did it. If you work at it, I'm sure a six min mile could be done. I'm hoping to get my 2mile down to 12:30min before Boot Camp and also work on running 3miles continuously. Not that it matters, but my physical stats are about 6', 154lbs, not sure about the BF% but it's probably between 8-11.

Also, I have here the reccomended workout for people trying to get into shape for BUD/S-the Navy SEAL training program.
It's broken into 2 categories, the first category is for those unable to do the second category. Keep in mind this is just to PREPARE for BUD/S and is probably easier than what will be asked of the tadpoles physically during their time there.

Category 1:
Running Schedule

Week Exercise Miles per week
1&2- 2miles M/W/F 6
8:30pace

3- No Running 0
High Risk of Stress Fx

4- 3miles M/W/F 9

5&6- 2/3/4/2 miles M/W/Th/F 11

7,8&9- 4/4/5/3 miles M/W/Th/F 16

Goal is to work up to 16 miles per week of running. After this, mmove on to Category 2 for 30miles per week.

Category 2:
Running Schedule

Week Exercise Miles per week
1&2- 3/5/4/5/2 19
3&4- 4/5/6/4/3 22
5- 5/5/6/4/4 24
6- 5/6/6/6/4 27
7- 6/6/6/6/6 30

For weeks 8,9 and beyond, it is not necessary to increase the distance of the runs; work on the speed of your six mile runs and try to get them down to 7:30 per mile or lower. If you wish to increase the distance of your runs, do it gradually-no more than one mile per day increase for every day beyond week 9.

There is also a reccomended schedule for doing push ups, situps,pull ups, dips, and swimming. I can post this if anyone is interested. I can also try to creat a link to the site if that's wanted as well.

I'm going to use this as my guidline for the weeks prior to my shipping off for Boot Camp along with my martial arts training and PTP. I hope it works.
-ZC

[Leto]

Only ran 3 times during basic? I went through air force basic training, a little over 3 years ago. Basic Training physically wasn't too bad. Running every other day, for 20 to 30 minutes (no specified distance). On non running days, calisthenics, which is mostly pushups of various kinds (regular pushups, wide arm pushups, close position pushups, "pyramid" pushups)...then do as many pullups as you can. The requirement for graduation (for males) was 42 pushups in 2 minutes, and 54 situps in 2 minutes (if I remember right). 2 miles in under 18 minutes, or something like that. Not hard if you're in shape at all. Air Force BT had a lot of standing in lines waiting for stuff, marching practice (which is something I haven't used since BT), and classroom learning. They stress 'attention to detail' in AF training...so you have to pay special attention to folding your clothes, placing them in the right places, making your bed, and keeping the latrine clean. There aren't too many career fields in the Air Force where physical fitness really needs to be stressed, anyways. Besides SP's (MP's), PJ's (pararescue), and special ops types, most jobs are technical or administrative in nature, with minimal to no drilling (after basic). AF also has the shortest BT, only 6 weeks. Next is Navy, at 8 weeks, Army is 10 weeks, and Marines 12 weeks. (or it used to be)

I wouldn't wory too much about the physical training, if you are already training regularly. The mental and emotional aspect is what gets to people.

[EasyNow]

This is why america's army sucks.

[Merryprankster]

Easynow,

You have direct experience here, or just blowing air out the orifice you mistake for a mouth?

[Cyborg]

...because it takes longer to pick up!

I have run a six minute mile before, but that was in high school. And I can't keep it up for three miles. I already pass the minimum requirements for entry into the marines, just want to do better.

Thanks for all the help.

BTW, Inic, were you in regular army?

[gazza99]

Ok,
Well im an active duty Seargent in the Air force, for my physical training I sit here and type. See, im doing it now!!! Thats becuase I sit on a plane when a war kicks off. I dont have to sit in a hole, crawl through mud, or do anything else that the Cannon fodder core, I mean Marine core does! God bless them!!!! Id rather enjoy the whole quality of life thing, than be hard core, but thats just me. Good Luck!!!

Gary

[SaMantis]

inic, where did you go to basic? Because I know for a fact that Ft. Jackson & Ft Dix run recruits every other day for 2-3 miles.

Maybe you meant you just took 3 PT tests? :confused:

[SaMantis]

gazza99: LOL on that, maybe you've got it figured out right!