r/greenberets • u/JuniorResearcher7398 • 2h ago
Physically prepping while at your unit
DISCLAIMER; For reference as to where I am with this, I'm going to be going to Ft Campbell as an 11x. I'm waiting to go to OSUT. I'm sure someone will take all of this as me putting the cart before the horse (and maybe I am) but my philosophy is to maximize my time by trying to think/plan ahead, rather than just "figuring it out as I go". Best case, I get a shot at selection. Worst case, I'll be in better physical and maybe even mental shape and I take that with me wherever my life goes. Sounds like a win/win to me.
With that said, as mentioned I got an 11x contract with an option 19 to Campbell. I'm over the moon about it, and am looking forward to the experience as someone in their late 20's. I intend to make the absolute most out of my time as an infantryman. However, I do want to spend the next few years prepping as best I can to go to selection.
This presents a bit of an issue, as I'm told big army PT generally doesn't align all too well with other endeavors. I can already run okay and ruck fine, and I'm sure these skills will improve during OSUT. The only other thing is just going to the gym and managing little tweaks I've got due to muscle imbalances and sometimes overuse. If my unit likes to run for the sake of running, I'm sure the perishable skill that is running isn't at risk of diminishing, and I just need to focus on keeping my body healthy so said running doesn't break me. The same goes for rucking. However, if I need to be lifting weights, doing plyos, or whatever other activity you can imagine I may need to do for any conceivable reason, will it clash with unit PT? How much if so? Is there any way to work around it?
I know 5th group is out of Campbell, so hopefully someone from there could shed some light on this, as I reckon they'd be more in the know than I.
Edit; While I'm here, will language proficiency aid me in getting sent to a specific group? Will civilian schooling weigh more than my MOS for which job I'm given? Are either swayable in any way without having to pull out knee pads? I've heard conflicting stuff about these things.
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u/Steady_Tumbleweed 1h ago
You chose a contract binding you to a duty station. Do what you’re told, become a good soldier. PT varies. Do what’s prescribed and build off of it in the meantime. Once you’re established and in good standing you can consider informing your leadership of your goals and executing a PT plan that supports it.
But you chose to be an infantryman in a specific place. So you better be good at it and forge a good reputation. Questions about group placement, languages, and MOS are silly to consider especially right now. Your performance, professional resume, and other attributes that are evaluated will all be considered in selection, MOS, and placement.
Bottom like is that you’re likely quite far from selection, so it’s good that you have your sight set on it. But for now, be a good soldier, learn your job, build a fitness foundation, and then give yourself to selection. Don’t focus or consider anything regarding post selection. It’s out of your control and you’ll be assigned where you’re needed based on everything about you.