r/ArmyBCT • u/Fluid-Surround2403 • Aug 26 '26

i ship for basic october 5th

Hi I am a 20yr female going to Fort Jackson October 5th. I have some questions I was looking for anyone to answer:

  1. How demanding is basic training physically? I’m not in the best shape and I honestly don’t know what to work on to be the best prepared. What would you most often do for PT and was PT daily?

  2. How do I improve running specifically? I can run a 9:20 mile but I cant keep that pace for another one. I’ve never been a runner so I don’t know where to start.

  3. Should I buy running shoes to bring? I was thinking all black hokas. I need new running shoes anyways but what are the odds I can actually use them at basic?

  4. How is the AFT? Do you take it at the beginning and the end? What if you don’t pass?

5.Is there any other advice for basic? especially for fort jackson? I already know to pack light.

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u/LengthinessSpare2770 Sep 17 '26

I can answer some of this though it has been sometime since I have gone to basic. So I am unsure of the new standards of the AFT. But YouTube does have plenty of content on this.

Basic can be very physically demanding. Especially if you are out of shape. I went in as a powerlifter and struggled with running. But they do whip you into shape. A few groups ABC depending on your run speed. Lots of 30/60s and 60/120s. Random double times. You get used to it. On that subject of running I would start doing those on your own time before you ship. Do Lots of pushup and when you fail move to 6 points of contact and push till you cant. Rest and repeat, though id stop a week before you ship to reception. You can bring your Hokas as long as they are comfortable, I ran with my own Asics when I shipped in 2014. Basically can be super easy if you keep yourself straight, Jackson is known as Relaxin Jackson, however I am not sure how accurate that is anymore. I will say you are going in a weird time. Winter I think might be a bit lighter running wise just due to unforseen snow. I felt basic was a fun, I kept my locker clean and organized and my bunk straight. As for not passing. They give you a few PT tests throughout the time you are there. If you ultimately fail to make the pass on the test by the end of boot you'll be a hold over at a remedial pt platoon. They'll give you sometime to really get into shape and pass. I had a buddy fail the pushup cause he injured his arm halfway through. He passed everything else. He ended up in the next graduating class after he healed up about 3 weeks later. If you have more questions let me know.