There is only one word for South Carolina in the summer time... HOT! We checked into Fort Jackson for our basic combat training. The bus dropped us off in a parking lot relatively close to the barracks. Officers 0-1 to 0-5 were placed together in large 40 man open bay barracks with bunk beds. There is no television, refrigerator, or other basic amenities. The air condition does keep the barracks at around 74-75 degrees. The enlisted barracks have newer amenities and apparently is a little cooler. 0-6 officers get their own room but share bathrooms. Junior female officers received a little nicer accomodations when they were moved to Army lodging. They were put 2 in a room with refrigerator, microwave, direct TV (HBO, Starz, etc.), and maid service. We eat in a dining hall. The food isn't that bad.
On a typical day, we get up at 4:00 a.m. and muster in the drill field at 4:45 a.m. From 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. we have breakfast. At 6:15 a.m. we board the buses to our training sites - typically the ranges where we are trained to qualify on the M16 and 9 mil. They also put us in Humvee simulators that flips upside down and we practice egressing from the upside down humvee safely. For the most part, we hurry up and wait. That seems to be the Army way. The buses frequently break down and air conditioning rarely works. Be prepared for lots of white spaces in the schedule. The Army Drill Instructors have really been terrific. I've got nothing but praise for them. We normally have Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's) for lunch and return to the Camp around 5:30 p.m. Dinner is normally served at 6:00 p.m. giving us time after dinner to clean our weapons and talk to family before hitting the racks.
On a typical day, we get up at 4:00 a.m. and muster in the drill field at 4:45 a.m. From 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. we have breakfast. At 6:15 a.m. we board the buses to our training sites - typically the ranges where we are trained to qualify on the M16 and 9 mil. They also put us in Humvee simulators that flips upside down and we practice egressing from the upside down humvee safely. For the most part, we hurry up and wait. That seems to be the Army way. The buses frequently break down and air conditioning rarely works. Be prepared for lots of white spaces in the schedule. The Army Drill Instructors have really been terrific. I've got nothing but praise for them. We normally have Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's) for lunch and return to the Camp around 5:30 p.m. Dinner is normally served at 6:00 p.m. giving us time after dinner to clean our weapons and talk to family before hitting the racks.
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