Civilian “Boot Camps” are springing up all over the place. The participants are given a serious work out nut they get to go home and shower at the end of the day. This is unlike boot camp. While one is resting, the real military recruit is several hours into his/her day — with several more hours to go.
Currently, over 40 percent of those who enlist in the military do not make it through the first four years. A significant portion of these do not even make it through boot camp. For many, this is because of unrealistic expectations. The military (and especially Boot Camp) is not what they thought it would be.
Regardless of what your recruiter told you, being a member of the United States Armed Forces is not just like having a civilian job. In the military, there will always be someone telling you what to do, when to do it and how to do it — and you’ve got to do it.
Sometimes they’ll tell you to do something that you don’t want to do, or tell you in a way that makes you angry. Failing to do it is not an option. The willful disobeying of a lawful order won’t just get you “fired,” as it would in a civilian occupation, it can get you sent to jail.
In the military, you’ll work the hours you are told to work, you’ll work “overtime” with no additional pay, you’ll do the tasks you’re assigned to do (even if they don’t relate exactly with your “job”), you’ll live where you’re told to live, and you’ll deploy where and when you’re told to deploy.
If you’re not absolutely willing to make these sacrifices, then do you and the government a big favor and don’t join up. However, if you are willing to put the needs of your country and your service ahead of your own, you’ll find several rewards in a military career (or even a short term of service). You’ll also be one of the 60 percent who make it to the end of their service commitment and either reenlist, or walk away contented with an Honorable Discharge.
Military boot camp is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. It’s the job of the Training Instructors (T.I.’s) and Drill Instructors (D.I.’s) to either adjust your attitude to a military way of thinking (self-discipline, sacrifice, loyalty, obedience), or to drum you out before the military spends too much money on your training. They do this by applying significant degrees of physical and mental stress, while at the same time teaching you the fundamentals of military rules; and the policies, etiquette, and customs of your particular military service.
The training programs are scientifically and psychologically designed to tear apart the “civilian” and build from scratch a proud, physically fit, and dedicated member of the United States Armed Forces. You’ll find that boot camp simply gets just a little bit easier each and every day.
Useful Links
http://www.teenscamp.net/Teen/Boot-Camps-For-Teens/index.htm
www.military.com/military-fitness/army-basic-training/getting-prepared-for-bootcamp
http://www.in.gov/idoc/dys/2344.html
