Changes to Basic Combat Training
Some of the changes to Basic Combat Training were recently reported on army.mil on July 19, 2010. It's not entirely new news, but I think it's worth mentioning here.
Here is a quick outline of what was said in the article:
- Contrary to what some believe, BCT is allegedly tougher rather than softer.
- Training has been extended from nine weeks to ten weeks.
- Rifle marksmanship is more extensive. Soldiers fire 500 rounds during basic combat training and certify as part of the Combat Field Fire phase.
- New instruction has been added to teach soldiers to fight from their feet, rather than wrestle and grip on the ground. The time spent in combatives is now 22 hours.
- There is no longer an IV "stick" any more. Soldier's used to learn to literally insert an IV into a human being (personally I had issues with the thought of this. I'm glad to see it go. I'm NOT afraid of blood nor needles, I'm afraid of the amateur sticking me with the needle and vice versa. Hello!). In general, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and Combat Lifesaver (CLS) have been updated.
- Physical training has been updated and standardized. It has been suggested by soldiers in the combat that long runs, repetitive sets of pushups and sit-ups, and volleyball games aren't' really releven to "training the right muscles and energy systems needed in a fight." So the FM 21-20 is being replaced by the TC 3.22-20 and will be available as an app (I'm assuming iPhone and Android app) in August of this year. Sweet, but too bad I won't be able to utilize the app, as I'll be in BCT receiving this this very new training.
- No more bayonet assault courses against rubber tires, but lots more pugil and combatives against a thinking opponent. Bayonets haven't been put to use was 1951. If I recall correctly that was shortly after the start of the Korean war. Wowza! I didn't even EXIST. lol
- Expanded values and culture training. What that means is more time and instruction will be devoted to the seven Army Values in combat, garrison and off-duty time. The Army has really been pro-active about keeping up with tech and social media trends and has created a "Soldier Blue Book" iPhone and Android app for soldiers before and after BCT. Every soldier, however, gets a physical copy of the book at BCT of course. But the great thing about the app is that you can download it now for free and begin learning. You can download the iPhone app here or the Android app here.
- Training soldiers as "tactical athletes" where training will be supplemented with physical therapists and athletic trainers to prevent injuries and ensure better conditioning. Also a new program called "Soldier Refueling" will be initiated to teach soldiers to develop good nutritional habits.
- Drill Sergeants have been training in Resiliency Training and new soldiers will be taking the Global Assessment Tool to help build a support base for promoting soldier's mental health.
- And as mentioned before, the Army has jumped head-long into the social media area and has already begun utilizing it to connect and get feedback from soldiers and soldier's families.
via www.army.mil
