# Joined the Army, what exercises do I need to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 9, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863 "2009-08-09T20:27:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jimson\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jimson\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimson_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/21 "2009-08-10T15:51:58Z")
I went through basic and AIT back to back in 1988 for 13B at Ft. Sill. Sounds like you’re doing plenty. It’s really not that bad. It’s long and grueling and at times depressing and the first few weeks are hard to adjust too. I recall my drill sergeant saying “it takes about 21 days to form new habits. 21 days from now you’ll be able to walk through the squad bay in the dark and turn on the light switch” He was right. After three weeks it just seems normal. My best advise is get a new pair of good running shoes now. Go to a really good running store (you know the one all the high school running teams go to) Get fitted for the right shoes and break them in now. There will be a lot of running. Shin splints, patella tracking syndrome and other over use injuries can get you ‘recycled’. And no matter how much sense it makes at the time, your gas mask case is not a good temporary storage place for that piece of fruit you smuggled out of the mess hall. It’s a bad thing when your drill sergeant yells “gas gas gas” and the better part of half a produce truck hits the ground as 30 privates scramble to put their gas masks on. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/22 "2009-08-10T15:54:31Z")
Do burpees. Lots and lots of burpees. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/23 "2009-08-10T16:11:21Z")
One thing I learned by observation–showing up at Basic wearing long hair, an earing, and a tie-dye t-shirt is a **really bad idea**. Also–don’t take anything embarassing or not allowed to basic. The first night there, the DIs will dump all your civilian stuff on your bunk, and make comments regarding your masculinity/sexual preference based upon whatever they find. Definitely do not want to pack wild/colorful drawers or condoms. They will also confiscate any tobacco, food, gum, porn, “gambling devices” (including even a deck of cards), lighters, knives, etc. Or at least the Air Force did. I assume the Army will do something similar. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/24 "2009-08-10T17:45:53Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > One thing I learned by observation–showing up at Basic wearing long hair, an earing, and a tie-dye t-shirt is a **really bad idea**. > > Also–don’t take anything embarassing or not allowed to basic. The first night there, the DIs will dump all your civilian stuff on your bunk, and make comments regarding your masculinity/sexual preference based upon whatever they find. Definitely do not want to pack wild/colorful drawers or condoms. They will also confiscate any tobacco, food, gum, porn, “gambling devices” (including even a deck of cards), lighters, knives, etc. …razors that vibrate… Man, they never let up on that guy. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/25 "2009-08-10T19:28:41Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > What is a 25Q? > > Where is AIT for you? [Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator - Maintainer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVD_IWSJbhA&feature=related) i’m going to ft benning for basic and ft gordon for ait. thanks everyone for the advice. what is a burpees? ---
**Author:** ![Linty\_Fresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Linty\_Fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linty_Fresh)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/26 "2009-08-10T19:37:22Z")
> [@Aceospades](#): > > what is a burpees? Indigestion that keeps coming back every other month. Seriously, though, [gaze upon the burpee and despair!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBZiwFRG9s4&feature=related) We called them squat thrusts growing up. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/27 "2009-08-10T20:41:32Z")
Here’s a [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=272477) I started (holy shit, nearly five years ago!) a couple of weeks before I went to Air Force Basic. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/28 "2009-08-10T23:29:19Z")
Oh, get a pair of running shoes that work for you. Try them out now, no need to be too fancy. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/29 "2009-08-11T02:18:36Z")
Speaking from experience, Get good running shoes and run. Everything else, you’ll learn. Running, you need to get used to, and if you ensure you’re not in the back of the pack, you’re as far ahead as you need to be. Otherwise, just work hard, be a team player - that means not being a know-it-all OR a malcontent - and don’t take anything personally. Basic training is hard, **but it’s not difficult**. What I mean is that it’s very hard on your body and your mind, but it’s something any sane, fit person can do if they try. Just take it one day at a time, do what you’re told, and be a good buddy to your fellow recruits. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863/30 "2009-08-11T02:25:25Z")
It might help to try running some distances in boots with a weighted backpack. Also practice standing in one place for long periods of time. You’d be surprised how exhausting it can be to simply stand at attention or parade rest for an hour or two or three. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joined-the-army-what-exercises-do-i-need-to-do/505863.md?page=1)