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CHAPTER 1
Drill Sergeants: The Mental Game
"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others."
— Robert Louis Stevenson
Surviving basic training is much more a mental challenge than a physical one. This chapter will teach you how Drill Sergeants view recruits and what you can do to win their respect and the respect of your fellow recruits. For the purposes of this book, the term Drill Sergeant will be used to describe your training instructor. The term Drill Sergeant will vary depending on which branch of the military you are joining.
What to Expect
Drill Sergeants are among the finest members of the military. Anyone who has been through basic training and served out their commitment to the United States military will tell you this. They receive extensive training to learn how to test and improve your physical and mental toughness. Drill Sergeants can be both physically and mentally intimidating. It is good to know this going in, so you know what to expect and how to act (and interact) with them. The below chart outlines the proper term you will use to refer to your training instructor (or as I like to call them, your screaming commander):
For the first time in your life you will need to ask permission to go to the bathroom, to talk, to eat, etc. Your personality, as you know it, will be lost and you will be expected to think and act like everyone else. The logical question everyone asks is why does the military do this? This is not done to scare you. Rather, it is intended to prepare you. I cannot stress enough the importance of mental toughness. So swallow your pride and ego and pay close attention to the orders you receive.
Drill Sergeants have extensive experience dealing with recruits, and are trained to make your life as hellish as possible. Never (and I repeat) never say "Sorry, sir!" or "Thank you, sir!" to a Drill Sergeant. Ninety percent of what you should (and will) say is "Drill Sergeant, yes Drill Sergeant!" and "Drill Sergeant, no Drill Sergeant!"
Harsh criticism (i.e., calling you names, screaming, and so forth) is common for Drill Sergeants. They want to see if you can take a shot to your ego. The worst thing you can do mentally is to take criticism from a Drill Sergeant personally. Remember, it is never personal. Know all the while that they cannot physically harm you in any way.
The mission of a Drill Sergeant is to convert you from a civilian to a productive member of the military. It is their job to break you down and build you up. You have joined the best military in the world. Your transition from civilian to military personnel will be taught in a disciplined and rigorous manner. Superior training equals superior personnel.
How to Gain Respect from Other Recruits and your Drill Sergeants
At the beginning of basic training, you will notice there are two types of recruits: the bosses and the workers.
The bosses are the "go get 'em," "gung-ho," "listen to what I say," recruits. The bosses love to shout orders at other recruits. They think they know what to do all the time — maybe because their family has a proud military history, or because they had a friend who just finished basic training. Regardless of their reason for trying to act like a leader, most of them get themselves into trouble. The other recruits don't listen to them because they don't respect the bosses. Leaders are followed because they are respected (or in some cases feared). Drill Sergeants love to degrade and embarrass hotshot recruits.
The other type of recruit, the worker, is more passive than the boss. These recruits follow what anyone says. They appear to be intimidated by Drill Sergeants and they are easily persuaded. The workers will be the quiet type, waiting for someone, anyone, to tell them what to do and where to be. These recruits often get into trouble because Drill Sergeants can smell fear. And guess what? Fear isn't allowed in the military — the U.S. military, anyway. So a Drill Sergeant thinks he must pay special attention to any recruit who displays even a whiff of fear.
I know what you are thinking. If a Drill Sergeant goes after bosses and workers, how can a recruit be successful at basic training without being a favorite target for Drill Sergeants?
First of all, you will get singled out in basic training. Like death and taxes, it's going to happen. However, there are many ways you can minimize special attention from Drill Sergeants. The answer to minimizing special attention from Drill Sergeants is to find the middle ground between a boss and a worker.
Finding the Middle Ground
Small Talk. The first thing I recommend after you get assigned to a platoon is to engage in small talk with everyone. Have a conversation with each individual in your platoon. How do you do that? Simply approach them, so they know you made the effort to initiate a conversation. Remember, these other recruits don't know you. So leave at home any shyness or reservation you had in the past about meeting new people. You will be with approximately 30 recruits from all around the country who are in the same situation you are. You can talk to them about where they are from, how many siblings they have, what sports they play, and anything else that comes to mind. During that conversation, be sure to include at least one compliment about them or their hometown. This small talk will make them feel good about themselves, and most of them will like and begin to respect you.
However, a word of warning is in order! If you are a male complimenting a part of a female's body (or vice versa), they could take the compliment in a manner you did not intend. You do not know how sensitive or politically correct the person next to you is going to be, so be aware of the words you use.
Understanding your Drill Sergeant. Now that most of your platoon members respect your personality and friendliness, the next step is to get positive attention from your Drill Sergeants. The best thing you can do is understand the job of a Drill Sergeant. Why would your Drill Sergeant become a Drill Sergeant? Think about this question for a moment.
Put this book down for fifteen seconds and ask yourself that question: Why would your Drill Sergeant become a Drill Sergeant?
Why would this individual undergo an intensive training school comprised of ridicule and tough physical fitness standards just to teach a bunch of new recruits? The answer is simple: pride. Pride for one's country and personal pride.
They have been selected to train new recruits to be a part of the toughest, most revered military in the history of the world. You can benefit from this pride. When a Drill Sergeant introduces himself (or herself) to the platoon, he will likely ask every member of the platoon why he/she joined the military. You will be amazed at how many improper responses you will hear.
"Why did you join the military?" shouts the Drill Sergeant.
"I joined for the college money!" someone will answer.
"I needed a job, Drill Sergeant!" is another common response you will hear.
Never, ever, respond that way — even if it is true! There are far better answers that will position you in a better light with your Drill Sergeant. I am not telling you to provide a false answer, or to lie, but how to simply answer the question better.
"Why did you join the military?" asked the Drill Sergeant.
This is your answer: "I joined because I love my country, sir!" or "I want to be a soldier in the U.S. Military, Drill Sergeant!"
These responses demonstrate pride — the same pride a Drill Sergeant has burning inside his soul. When you give your response, your Drill Sergeant will immediately have a connection with you. She or he will never let you see that connection, but it will be there.
Gain Respect
To gain respect from your Drill Sergeant, you must do the following three things:
(1) You must be attentive. Pay attention to your body posture and listen to every word of the instructions;
(2) Keep your head up and back straight in class;
(3) Be confident with your answers and respond loudly and correctly to a Drill Sergeant. Speaking softly does not emphasize a person's strength, confidence, or pride.
CHAPTER 2
Fitness
"I learned that good judgment comes from experience and that experience grows out of mistakes."
— General Omar N. Bradley
A major portion of basic training focuses on building physical fitness and endurance. During basic training, your company will conduct an organized physical training session every morning, except Sundays. Each physical training session is comprised of three components:
Warm-up;
Conditioning;
Cool-down.
Generally, you will alternate between cardiovascular days and muscle building days.
Consult The Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook for the fitness charts of the five military branches. If you do not pass these tests, your Drill Sergeants will restart (recycle) you and you will be required to start basic training all over again.
Each branch of service has their own fitness tests, let's review them now.
Army
The APFT has three components:
Two-minute timed push-ups Two-minute timed sit-ups Two-mile timed run
Air Force
One-minute timed push-ups One-minute timed sit-ups
1.5-mile timed run
Navy
One-minute timed push-ups One-minute timed sit-ups
1.5-mile timed run Sit-reach test
Marines
Males
Pull-ups (untimed)
Two-minute timed sit-ups
3-mile timed run
Females
Timed flexed arm hang Two-minute timed sit-ups
3-mile timed run
Coast Guard
One-minute timed push-ups One-minute timed sit-ups
1.5-mile timed run
100-meter swim
5 minute water tread
You should have no problem meeting the fitness standards by following the exercise program in this chapter for at least eight weeks prior to basic training. The tables mentioned in this chapter can be downloaded and printed in full size at UltimateBasicTraining.com/fitness.
Running Improvement
Running is the best way the military can test your cardiovascular fitness. Most people have never learned to run properly. However, by learning and applying a few simple techniques, the efficiency of your body movements can increase dramatically. Always try to run with a partner; it is motivating and easier to keep pace with someone running next to you. Just make sure your partner doesn't slow you down. Also, running to music helps motivate people, but keep in mind, this is not allowed when you take your fitness test.
The running program in this chapter is to be performed every other day. You will alternate between sprint days and endurance days. By following this program at least eight weeks prior to basic training, you should have no problems passing (or even maxing) your fitness test.
Selecting the Proper Running Shoe
The first step in finding the proper running shoe is to determine your foot type. There are three main types of feet: high arch, normal arch, and low arch. To determine which type you are, wet your feet thoroughly and shake off the excess water. Next, step on a dark and dry surface. I recommend a brown paper bag or a piece of smooth wood. The imprint produced will form a shape similar to one of the three shown below in Figure 3:
Once you determine which foot type you are, you can shop for the proper running shoe. Don't shop for shoes in the morning; your feet swell slightly when you sleep, which could give you a false assumption of your actual foot size. If you have a highly arched foot, you need a shoe with extra cushioning in the middle area of the shoe (Army and Air Force Exchange Service [AAFES] tag "C").
If you have a normal foot type, your ankles pronate inward as you step. Therefore you will need a shoe with average cushioning (AAFES tag "S"). Do not buy a shoe with extra cushioning in one area or extra motion control features.
If you have a low arched foot, your ankles pronate inward, but more excessively than the normal foot type. Buy a straight or slightly curved shoe, such as a motion control shoe (AAFES tag "M"). AAFES tagged shoes can be found at Post Exchanges (PX).
Stretching
Always stretch before and after you do any physical exercise. The following stretching techniques will help you properly prepare your body for running:
Quadriceps (front of leg)
Balance yourself against a sturdy object or wall. Grasp your right ankle behind your back with your right hand. Gently pull up with your hand. Figure 4 (on the right) shows a common mistake many people make when trying to perform this stretch. Be sure to pull at the ankle and not pull at the toes. Doing this will reduce the chance of an injury. Keep your head up, stand erect, and do not bend over at the waist. Do not bounce. Hold this stretch for a minimum count of 30 seconds for each leg.
With your buttocks on the floor place the bottom of your feet together in front of you (Figure 5, next page). Slowly bring your feet as close to your body as possible. Gently grasp your feet and slowly push your knees toward the floor with your elbows. Hold this stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds.
Hamstrings (back of legs)
With your buttocks on the floor, straighten your legs in front of you about 18" apart (Figure 6, next page).
Gently reach for the toe on your right leg with your right arm, and hold this for about 30 seconds. When you are finished, repeat this with the left leg, and hold again for about 30 seconds. This simple exercise will stretch the hamstrings, but do it gently and slowly, so you do not risk injuring your low back or pulling a different set of muscles.
Calves (back and bottom of legs)
Lean against a wall with the left leg behind you (Figure 7). The right leg should be in front of you bearing most of your weight. Keep the heel of the left foot on the floor with the toe pointed forward. Gently move your hips forward toward the wall. The farther forward your hips move, the greater the stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.
Running Technique
Before you begin any running program, you must learn how to run properly. Practicing the various running techniques outlined here, you will greatly improve your efficiency and reduce the risk of injury. Below is a list of quick fix running tips you can implement immediately into your running program. If you find that these techniques change your stride significantly, then make your changes gradually. These new techniques could put stress on different muscle groups, which could result in injury until your body adapts to the new running style.
Below is a list of quick fix running tips you can implement immediately into your running program. If you find that these techniques change your stride significantly, then make your changes gradually. These new techniques could put stress on different muscle groups, which could result in injury until your body adapts to the new running style.
Quick Fix #1
Run straight in a vertical alignment. Your body should be angled forward to the point where you will almost feel like falling over. Be careful not to stick your buttocks out; doing so will create improper balance.
Quick Fix #2
Keep your feet on the ground as little as possible. It is common for people to run heel to toe as their foot strikes the ground. Land on the mid-foot, or forefoot if possible. When you land on your heels, you are placing your body's center of gravity behind you. This forces your body to push harder with every step and wastes energy.
Quick Fix #3
Do not bounce when you run. Use your energy to create horizontal and not vertical movement. The less vertical movement you have when running, the more energy you can use to propel your body forward.
Quick Fix #4
Your foot should land under your body when it strikes the ground, not in front of you. By doing this, you will ensure better leverage and balance.
Quick Fix #5
Don't swing your legs back and forth. Instead, when your foot strikes the ground, pull your heel toward your butt by contracting the hamstring. This technique creates a shorter leg arch so your legs get in position faster for the next step without any wasted energy.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook"
by .
Copyright © 2013 Michael Volkin.
Excerpted by permission of Savas Beatie LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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