BCT Length

[ocsco]

Can anyone tell me if this story is currently accurate?

http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/10/05/5471-army-to-expand-basic-combat-training-to-10-weeks/

I thought it was currently at 9 weeks. I just enlisted and my length of training time says 13 weeks. By my count: reception approx 1 week, BCT 9 weeks, and Christmas break 2 weeks = 12 weeks.

Is there anyone that has gone recently that can shed some light? Thanks.

[Pvt Merkel]

It's 13 wks because you probably have a 10 week basic.Not 9 wk.

[ocsco]

That's my assumption, but everyone keeps telling me its at 9 weeks. Frankly I don't care, but my current employer needs to know so they can figure out how to pay (or not pay me) for the time I'm gone.

[WIBecky74]

Ten week BCT was implemented last year around mid September-October (for sure at Fort Jackson, possibly other places) as kind of like a trial. They went back to a nine week BCT during the summer surge, and once that was over it went back to ten weeks everywhere. I do not think OSUT was affected yet although I cannot confirm that one.

[SPC Sutherland]

I am OSUT @ Ft. Leonard Wood for 31 Bravo. I ship out 9 OCT. The BCT portion is 10 weeks. I believe WIBecky74 is correct...10 weeks everywhere.

[WO1 Quinones]

Good luck with 31B future MP. You are already a specialist so you will be expected to take the reins of the horse.

[SPC Sutherland]

Looking forward to it, sir. From some of your postings I have read, I only hope I can do it half as good as you did. :)

[kirbaeus]

Went to Fort Sill in January, was 10 weeks. Hopefully you won't spend two weeks at reception, like I and other recruits did. Try to stay healthy as much as possible to avoid getting recycled and spending extra time there.

[GuardMom]

My son just went to Fort Knox. His BCT is 10 weeks. That didn't count spending 1 week in reception.

[shutterm4]

Can anyone tell me if this story is currently accurate?

http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/10/05/5471-army-to-expand-basic-combat-training-to-10-weeks/

I thought it was currently at 9 weeks. I just enlisted and my length of training time says 13 weeks. By my count: reception approx 1 week, BCT 9 weeks, and Christmas break 2 weeks = 12 weeks.

Is there anyone that has gone recently that can shed some light? Thanks.


It is true i was at knox for almost 12 weeks without a christmas break.

[wildmojo]

Yeah, they got me with the 10 weeks too. I was supposed to have a different MOS and a ship date in July that would have had me at Jackson for 9 weeks, but i couldn't get security clearance, so now I'm leaving in NOV and get the extra week tacked on. I've made my peace with it. What I hate is that I'll be at Ft Jackson for about 3 weeks before I have to come home for Exodus.:)

[WO1 Quinones]

Looking forward to it, sir. From some of your postings I have read, I only hope I can do it half as good as you did. :)

You will and stay aggressive. When it comes to doing your scenarios e.g. traffic stops, bar fights, suicide and raped soldier; just remember to utilize your communication skills and your levels of force and you do fine.

[David]

I'm still in the middle of getting all my paperwork together and all that fun stuff but I'm hoping to head off for basic next month if everything checks out. I am also a little hesitant about the Christmas Exodus. I think I'd rather just get it all done with in one go rather than going for a few weeks and then coming right back home. It seems like that would be a very good way to lose your motivation; not to mention the fact that they tack on an extra week to get you back in the swing of things. Two weeks is also a lot of time to forget things that you've already learned but I guess it also gives you a lot of free time to study too. I really just don't know how I feel about it.

[WO1 Quinones]

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers fulfilled BCT while being part of an EXODUS cycle. Its all up to you how you mentally prepare.

[WIBecky74]

I'm still in the middle of getting all my paperwork together and all that fun stuff but I'm hoping to head off for basic next month if everything checks out. I am also a little hesitant about the Christmas Exodus. I think I'd rather just get it all done with in one go rather than going for a few weeks and then coming right back home. It seems like that would be a very good way to lose your motivation; not to mention the fact that they tack on an extra week to get you back in the swing of things. Two weeks is also a lot of time to forget things that you've already learned but I guess it also gives you a lot of free time to study too. I really just don't know how I feel about it.

Experienced exodus and never had a week tacked on. The two week leave doesnt count towards your school time of course. Mr. Quinones is right, its all in the mind. You do have the option of staying there, but your school will be put on hold and you have post duty during those two weeks. You save using up your leave and going in the hole, a plane ticket during an expensive time, and they also take you out to do things in the evening. Not many stay though. I certainly wouldnt but to each their own.

[SPC Sutherland]

You will and stay aggressive. When it comes to doing your scenarios e.g. traffic stops, bar fights, suicide and raped soldier; just remember to utilize your communication skills and your levels of force and you do fine.
Thank you for the advice, sir.