Should Prepare for Basic training?
Starting basic military training will be a huge change in lifestyle for new recruits. The daily routine of life will go from the individual, as a civilian, being able to do what they want, when they want; to the military environment of structure, discipline, and strict standards. This change in environment forces many new recruits to quit within the first few days as they simply cannot imagine adjusting to this new regime.
This is where preparation work before starting basic training can be beneficial. It will give the potential recruit some of the skills which will be required during recruit training. This will help to build confidence and reduce the initial shock to the system of starting training.
The level of preparedness depends on the individual and their overall level of confidence in each subject and their ability to adapt to change. Generally, if an individual is more prepared, they will have a better chance of success.
In this article we will discuss the 3 skills we believe can be developed prior to starting basic military training which will give the best chance for an individual feeling confident and ready to undertake the huge challenge they are about to undertake.
Fitness
The first, and most obvious of these skills, is fitness. As Hollywood Movies, and many television documentaries have shown us, military training is very physical. Daily physical training sessions are supplemented with ‘corrective’ training conducted at the discretion of the training team.
The best type of physical training plan to prepare for the military is bodyweight training. This will include:
- Bodyweight training circuits.
- Running,
- Walking,
- Swimming.
Bodyweight training is advised over resistance (weights) training because it is more indicative of type of exercises you be doing during basic training. This is not to say that resistance training can’t or shouldn’t be done. We advise that bodyweight training will be a better way of preparing yourself for what will come when you start basic training. Following a training plan will be an invaluable way of gaining the fitness levels and confidence required. Some military branches/ units provide a rough guide on how to train prior to starting recruit training. Our Gravelbelly Conditioning Cycle is aimed specifically for individuals that are preparing to join the infantry and elite military organisations such as the Royal Marines.
Map Reading
A basic skill for any soldier is to be able to survive and operate in remote environments. In order to operate, soldiers need to know where they are, where they are going, and how to get there. Navigation is therefore a fundamental requirement of any soldier which is taught to all recruits no matter which branch of the military they are joining.
This is an area of weakness for many new recruits. Map reading and navigation is taught during training but arriving with some prior knowledge will shorten the knowledge gap and reduce the chance of failing tests.
There are many free online resources for learning the basics of map reading and navigation. We recommend understanding the following before getting to basic training:
- Understanding a map.
- Taking a grid reference.
- Taking a bearing.
- Measuring distance.
- Pacing.
Understanding a map requires an individual to know the basic features of a map such as scale, northings and eastings, contour lines, geographical features, and magnetic variation.
Once an individual understands the basic features of a map, they will have the tools to be able to take a grid reference. This is key in order to give your own location, or that of key features on a map.
Taking a bearing is another key skill which follows on from understanding the basics of a map. It also involves understanding what a magnetic compass is, and how they are used. It should be noted that there is a difference between civilian and military compasses in terms of the units of measure used. However, it doesn’t matter which an individual learns the basics on as the fundamentals are what is important.
Taking a bearing tells you the direction that you need to go. You also need to know how to measure how far your target destination is. An individual should understand how the map scale relates to the unit of measure needed to quantify kilometres, down to 10s of metres of distance.
Pacing is when an individual understands how many paces it takes them to walk a set distance. To start with, take a set distance of 100m and walk at normal pace counting the number of times you right (or left) foot hits the floor. You will then understand how many paces it takes to walk 100m and can multiply that number depending on the distance you have calculated on the map. All of the above skills can be understood by researching online. However, the skills can also be put to practical use in the outdoors prior to starting training. This will give the individual confidence in applying the knowledge and also building fitness at the same time!
*NOTE* navigating in the outdoors alone and without adequate skill can be dangerous. Always take supplies of food and water, and leave a contact number, location and estimates time of return with a friend/ family member before leaving.
Self-Discipline
There is a saying basic training that ‘you will learn to iron killer creases into your uniform before you learn to fire a rifle’ which is true. Basic military training treats each individual the same, that is, they know nothing! You will be ‘taught’ how to do everything from making a bed correctly to brushing your teeth. While many will know how to do a lot of these things, the aim is stripping back each individual and instil the ‘military’ standards into everything you do.
The true benefits of this intensive regimen won’t become clear until much later. Those that make it through training will understand that having the same, exacting standards applied to everything each individual does, makes the unit as a whole, much more effective.
There are many ways to prepare for the transition to a heavily structured regime. In preparation for basic training do the following each day:
- Set a daily program which includes wake up time, mealtimes and exercise times and stick to it.
- Wash and iron your own clothes.
- Polish your shoes.
- Fold your clothes before putting them away.
Some of these may seem very mundane but it is the small things that make all the difference at this stage.
Bring the Skills with you!
Learning the skills suggested in this article is by no means a guarantee of success but it will ensure you start military training with the right mindset, physical state, and confidence in your abilities. It is likely that military training will be the single biggest leap out of your comfort zone you will have taken so any preparation will ‘soften’ the shock and allow you to stay in control of yourself and remain focussed.
Good luck to you all!!