Headed to Army basic training? Basic training is an extremely stressful time. Sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and yelling Drill Sergeants don’t exactly create the ideal study environment. Here are 6 things to memorize before army basic training
1. Army Officer and Enlisted Ranks
| Pay Grade | Title | Insignia |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private (PV1) | No Insignia |
| E-2 | Private (PV2) | |
| E-3 | Private First Class (PFC) | |
| E-4 | Corporal (CPL) | |
| E-4 | Specialist (SPC) | |
| E-5 | Sergeant (SGT) | |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant (SSG) | |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class (SFC) | |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant (MSG) | |
| E-8 | First Sergeant (1SG) | |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major (SGM) | |
| E-9 | Command Sergeant Major (CSM) | |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) |
Memorizing the rank structure before going to Army Basic Combat Training will help you be able to focus on all of the other material will will be required to learn during basic combat training.
Sandboxx Tip: Make flash cards with the rankings on them to help you practice.
2. Soldiers Creed
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member
of a team.
I serve the people of the
United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and
mentally tough, trained and proficient
in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment
and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage and
destroy the enemies of the United States
of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the
American way of life.
I Am An American Soldier.
Sandboxx Tip: Break the Soldier’s Creed down by “I” statements. Practice along with the video above until you can recite by heart.
3. General Orders
1st General Order
I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.
2nd General Order
I will obey my special orders and perform all of my duties in a military manner.
3rd General Order
I will report violations of my special orders, emergencies, and anything not covered in my instructions, to the commander of the relief.
Sandboxx Tip: Make three flashcards with a general order on each one. Practice them by yourself, then ask a family member to randomly quiz you on them while you are at home. Have them say “General Order #______” and then tell them what the order is. This will help you adjust needing to recite them at random without warning, which will happen frequently during basic combat training.
4. Code of Conduct
I.
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
II.
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
III.
If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
IV.
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
V.
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause
VI.
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
Sandboxx Tip: Make flash cards with each order and have someone you know quiz you along with your rank structure flash cards.
5. Army Core Values:
These are the seven Army Core Values that all soldiers live by.
L- Loyalty
D- Duty
R- Respect
S- Selfless Service
H- Honor
I- Integrity
P- Personal Courge
Learn more about the Army Core Values from a former Army Infantryman.
Sandboxx Tip: Think of the word “leadership,” but spelled, “LDRSHIP,” Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.
6. MILITARY TIME
While in the military you will ALWAYS refer to time on a 24 hour clock. This means you will no longer have a 5pm rather a 17:00. Military time may seem confusing but is an easy adjustment.
Learn how to Tell Military Time so you can start practicing before you get to BMT.
Sandboxx Tip: Change the time on your phone to a 24 hour clock so that you can start to get familiar with military time.
By learning these before you leave, you’ll have fewer things to worry about or the very least save yourself some pushups.
Now that you know the things yo memorize before Army basic training, here is how you begin to physically prepare for basic training as well.
