United States Army Initial Entry Training (IET), formerly known as Basic Training, is the program of physical and mental training required in order for an individual to become a Soldier in the United States Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
IET is designed to be highly intense and challenging. The challenge comes as much from the difficulty of physical training as it does from the required quick psychological adjustment to an unfamiliar way of life.
IET prepares recruits for all elements of service: physical, mental and emotional. It gives service members the basic tools necessary to perform the roles required of them as Soldiers in the world's greatest Army. The purpose of this training is not to “break” recruits. In fact, the combination of physical training, field exercises and classroom time makes individuals strong and capable. It’s a tough process, but a rewarding one that many service members value for life.
IET is divided into two parts: Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). BCT consists of the first ten weeks of the total Basic Training period, and is identical for all Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard recruits. This is where individuals learn about the fundamentals of being a Soldier, from combat techniques to military customs and courtesies. BCT transforms civilians into Soldiers. Recruits learn basic tactical and survival skills along with how to shoot, rappel, and march. They also learn the basics of Army life, including the seven core Army Values (Loyalty-Duty-Respect-Selfless Service-Honor-Integrity-Personal Courage). Additionally, they undergo rigorous physical training to prepare their bodies and minds for the eventual physical and mental strain of combat operations. One of the most difficult and essential lessons learned in BCT is self-discipline, as it introduces prospective Soldiers to a strict daily schedule that entails many duties and high expectations for which most civilians are not immediately ready. Besides Fort Jackson, BCT takes place at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma
AIT consists of the remainder of the total initial training period and is where recruits train in the specifics of their chosen military occupational specialty (MOS). As such, AIT is different for each available Army career path. For example, if an individual has an MOS of Human Intelligence Collector, he/she would be sent to the Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, in Sierra Vista, Arizona, following completion of BCT. If an individual instead had the MOS of Army Medic, he/she would be sent to the Army Medical Department School at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, after BCT, AIT courses can last anywhere from four to 52 weeks.