Basic Combat Training

Basic Combat Training (BCT)—or Basic Training—is the military training procedure in which military personnel, typically the enlisted ranks, are taught the basic skills of their service. This generally includes a level of indoctrination into the culture of that organization.

General information

The process has been described by Canadian military historian, Gwynne Dyer as a form of conditioning in which inductees are encouraged to partially submerge their individuality for the good of their unit. The nature and extent of this conditioning varies from one military service to another. Some systems of training seek to totally break-down the individual and remould that person to the desired behaviour. Other systems attempt to change the individual to suit the organization, whilst retaining key elements of the recruit's personality. The differences between the two approaches are often subtle.

Standard uniforms are issued and recruits may have their heads shaved in order to make their appearance as uniform as possible. Also, the haircut is a mildly traumatic experience to increase unit cohesion. Recruits are generally given a service number.

It is common that recruits are instructed in 'drill'. To stand, march, and respond to orders in an unquestioning manner. The idea behind drill is partially to inculcate the response to commands but also to train the recruit to act unhesitatingly in the face of real combat situations. Old soldiers maintain that 'drill' saves lives.

Trainees are usually subjected to rigorous physical training, both to prepare for the demands of combat, and to weed out the less able or motivated. This also builds morale for the remaining recruits who have met the physical requirements.

Army recruits are trained in basic marksmanship with regularly assigned weapons, field maintenance of said weapons, hand-to-hand combat, first aid, protective equipment usage, and basic survival techiques. Navy training focuses on basic seamanship, and skills like firefighting, basic engineering, and signals. Air Force training might cover subjects such as aircraft recognition.

According to legend, trainees are secretly fed saltpetre to suppress their sexual urges. One explanation of the origin of this legend states that the soldiers were employing a folk etymology and substituting the word "Soft" for "Salt" in "Saltpeter." A reduction in sexual urges does actually occur, but it is caused by fatigue related to training.

At the end of basic training, the recruit is usually either posted to an operational unit to gain experience, or to another training establishment for further specialist training. Some services also present a badge or other award to denote completion of Basic Combat Training. The United States Army typically issues the Army Service Ribbon while the United States Air Force presents the Air Force Training Ribbon.

Officers

"Gentlemen" officers do not go to Basic Combat training, instead going to an Officer Candidate School, if their education is of a sufficient level. Military academy students go to two months of summer training for indoctrination, while ROTC students may have as little training as a few days when they are sworn in.

References

1. USAREC (2003). US Army DEP Guide: Army Terminology. United States Army Recruiting Command. Fort Knox, KY (USA).