Basic training is no walk in the park. Preparing for the training and conditioning that every recruit will undergo is key to getting the most out of those first weeks as an enlisted soldier. Both the mind and the body need to be prepped in anticipation of basic training.

Physical Conditioning

The focus of basic training is to build endurance and get the body used to long duration activity. Muscle strength and pure mass are not needed and can often be detrimental. A good exercise regimen would have a strong emphasis on cardiovascular activities such as jogging and strength training in the form of push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups, rather than free or stacked weights. An advanced workout would add in long distance marches while carrying a third of one’s body weight.

The goal here is to be able to run two miles in under 14 minutes and be able to perform 50 sit-ups and push-ups consecutively. This will give a recruit a jump-start on basic training and lay the foundation for further improvement and strengthening.

Preparing The Mind

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The hardest adjustment to life in basic training is giving up all the luxuries of civilian life. Get used to living without your music system, computer, and cell phone by voluntarily putting them away as often as possible in the weeks leading up to basic training. Use the extra time to focus on getting your affairs in order, such as bill payments and relationships with friend and families.

By preparing the mind and body to enter Army basic training, each recruit will be in the best position to learn the most from their experiences.

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The US Coast Guard is now run by the Department of Homeland Defense, and for good reason. The waterways and coastal areas of America are its longest frontier. Terrorists and criminals often attempt to gain entry to the country through its many ports and harbors. Defending the US’s coastal territory is one of today’s most important roles in the Army.

Protecting Borders

Over 1.3 billion tons of cargo is shipped into US ports every year. Terrorists and criminals often see this figure as a possible avenue to deliver weapons and chemical or biological agents onto American soil. Accordingly, the US Coast Guard is tasked with conducting naval ship inspections to prevent the delivery of such illegal and harmful cargo.

Other criminals think they can harm the US by disrupting the flow of trade into and out of the country. Much of the country’s oil supply, consumer goods, and food products have to come through its harbors. The Coast Guard often plays a police role for the US’s vital seaborne resources.

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Saving Lives

Stopping weapons and drugs from ever entering the country saves lives every year. Each illegal weapon or drug that is stopped from ever hitting the streets is another life saved from violence and drugs. The Coast Guard also specializes in search and rescue missions to provide security and peace of mind to American citizens who make a living on the waterways.

The Coast Guard is an even more important aspect of the US military in today’s world. Just as the Army protects American interests abroad, the Coast Guard is often the first line of domestic defense.

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As the times change, so does the armed forces. The tactics and thinking from World War II, the lessons learned from Vietnam, and the strategies of the Cold War have all pushed innovation in Army practices, operations, and disposition.

A “Smaller” Army

The days of multi-million man armies, divisions stationed on hundreds of miles of frontier, and massive wars of maneuver are long gone and might never return. The size of a standard unit is getting smaller to allow more flexibility to meet today’s challenges. Modular brigades designed to be self sufficient in small numbers have replaced the 20,000-man division with the attached support structure. Today’s conflicts in urban environments and asymmetric wars have put the emphasis back on the individual and their fighting spirit.

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Fighting Smarter, Not Harder

Today’s battlefields reward agility, flexibility, and mobility rather than a rigid application of massive firepower. With battles being fought in cities surrounded by civilians against an enemy that hides among those civilians, a bigger gun is often the wrong answer. The intelligent application of power and good decision making by soldiers on the ground is now the driving force behind the Army’s effectiveness. 

These changes in the Army are why the individual soldier is more important today than ever before. The slogan, ‘An Army Of One,’ has never been more applicable. This focus on the individual is one of the many reasons why an Army career is so attractive. Soldiers grow in their skills, abilities, and faculties while serving their country.

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Each branch of the military is unique; the opportunities present in each appeal to a wide array of American citizens. Those branches, the US Army, the US Navy, the US Air Force, the US Marine Corps, and the US Coast Guard, are all vital to protecting America and building the individual character of every enlisted person.

US Army

The Army is responsible for ground operations and is comprised of active duty and National Guard units. Active duty personnel are deployed worldwide to protect American interests, performing the duties set forth by the federal government. The National Guard is also responsible for many domestic responsibilities, including disaster relief and humanitarian efforts.

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US Navy

The Navy boasts a long and rich tradition in the history of the United States. Covering all sea-borne operations, the Navy utilizes active and reserve units to carry out their missions. Those serving in the Navy often find themselves at the cutting edge of technology projecting the US’s influence in their own floating technological marvels.

US Air Force

The newest branch of service, The Air Force, dates back to the early days of aviation during the conflict of World War I. Utilizing the country’s vast and impressive airborne resources, the Air Force protects Americans by projecting power through the entire globe.

US Marine Corps

The Marine Corps is often called on to tackle the toughest situations that the United States faces. Diverse in training and rugged under stress, the Marines specialize in unique missions and extraordinary circumstances.

US Coast Guard

With the war against terrorism, the Coast Guard has found new roles and duties in today’s world. Protecting America’s vast waterways and coastal borders, the Coast Guard carries out such vital missions as search and rescue, legal enforcement of borders, and ship inspections in the fight against terrorism.

Now all you have to decide is which branch best reflects your desire to serve.

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The Army and Air Force reserves offer a wide range of opportunities for citizens to serve their country without full time enlistment. Both the Army and most Americans have a wide range of needs and the desire to balance many different aspects of their lives. The reserves are the best way for both sides to meet those needs.

Blending Civilian And Army Careers

The typical reservist serves 2 days a month on average. This fact allows the reservist to pursue their civilian careers while simultaneously training and serving with the armed forces. Neither career has to suffer for the other. Pursuing two career paths offers a unique sense of fulfillment and builds a strong character. This will benefit both the individual and the armed services through diversifying the skills that a reservist can bring to both their careers. Anyone who has a strong calling to both serve their country and to build a civilian career will find the reserves a perfect fit.

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Former Active Duty Personnel

After a long life in service in the armed forces, many former active duty personnel have good reason to continue to stay affiliated with the Army. There is only one place in the world where someone can find the highest level of camaraderie and discipline. Furthermore, continuing education through military service provides many of the sought after skills that empower individuals. With all that the Army has to offer, there are many great reasons to stay active with the armed services.

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The current world economic crisis may or may not be resolved in the near future. Job opportunities are disappearing faster than ice cream in July and established companies are closing their doors at an unprecedented rate. Even experienced employees are losing their benefits, their incomes and their homes.

Fierce Competition Or Fair Compensation?

Will you struggle and battle against established and experienced employees for a shrinking number of job opportunities or will you allow the U.S. Army to pay for your training and education as you collect a competitive salary and earn excellent benefits? As civilian companies shut their doors, the Army is expanding and building new career opportunities.

A World Of Its Own

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The U.S. Army is very much a global city all its own. Every type of job skill is needed to keep the Army running smoothly. Doctors, dentists, teachers, cooks, mechanics, carpenters, linguists, pilots, painters, writers, musicians, computer programmers and everything else imaginable is needed by the Army.

To ensure that all Army personnel are highly skilled and motivated, the Army is prepared to pay you to gain highly useful skills. The Army offers some of the best benefits available, including free housing, food and clothing, full medical and dental benefits, continuing education opportunities, military shopping privileges, and much, much more, just to ensure that they have the highest qualified personnel for every Army job.

As others struggle to make ends meet, you can let the Army pay for your career training, world travel and benefit, all as you gain life experiences you cannot get any other way.

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Once you commit yourself to a career with the U.S. Army, it is to your advantage to prepare for Army Boot Camp before you arrive. Army Boot Camp is both mentally and physically challenging. You will be yelled at, pushed to your limits and then pushed even harder. Getting into good physical and mental shape ahead of time can make the difference between surviving and thriving in Army Boot Camp.

Get The Lead Out

Start running and don’t stop. Run every day and push yourself beyond your self-imposed limits. If you don’t, you can be sure that your Drill Instructors will. Running regularly will help you develop the strength and stamina you will need for the physical demands of Army Boot Camp. Create a fitness regime that will have you physically prepared so that you can focus your energies on learning the lessons of Army Boot Camp, rather than suffering unnecessarily with muscle aches and ragged breath.

Understand What’s Coming

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One of the things you must learn in Army Boot Camp is to handle difficulties, challenges and impossible odds. You will be yelled at, insulted, and criticized to break down your defenses and bad habits, making room for better thought processes and an improved team spirit. You are never an individual in Army Boot Camp. You are the member of a team that must succeed together or not at all. Put your excuses and your petty protests aside; they are a waste of breath that you cannot afford.

Entering Army Boot Camp with the right mental and physical starting points will allow you to achieve far more in Army Boot Camp.

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Too many career paths lead nowhere. Jobs easily acquired coming out of high school rarely lead to promotions or salary increases. Today’s economic difficulties make finding that ideal job even more difficult. Many jobs require college educations that many simply cannot afford. If you could choose any career path at all, which one would you select?

Design, Build And Create Your Career

There are Army career options that allow you to create your dreams. You can engineer new machinery, build buildings, and design new concepts that make things work better than they are. You can organize programs, lead professionals and make a difference in the world with the Army. The only thing that has been stopping you is your lack of training.

Use Your Artistic Skills For A Living

Photo journalism, graphic arts, performance, music and entertainment careers are all exciting, but they can be difficult to break into, unless you know someone who knows someone in the industry. You know you have the aptitude, the interest and the talent, but you see no way to get started earning a living doing what you love, unless you join the Army.

Computer Careers Are Everywhere

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You cannot get a computer or IT career going without the proper training. Your dead end job doesn’t pay you enough to go to college or vocational school. On the other hand, the Army can provide you with the skills and the opportunities to build your computer and IT career.

Let The Army Pay Your Bills

The U.S. Army needs practically every skill known to man and they are willing to pay for your training and education. Whether you want to work behind a desk, train dogs, go to medical school or draw illustrations, you can earn a paycheck and receive free housing, full medical and dental benefits, 30 days paid vacation each year and enjoy free world travel and military shopping privileges, among countless other benefits, all as the Army provides you with the skills you need to build a career you can be proud of.

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Very few people graduate from high school knowing what they want for a lifelong career. The same is true for community college graduates. There are simply too many careers to choose from. The world’s current economic crisis compounds the problem. Even if you choose a career that you will enjoy, there is no way to know if there will be any job openings in the future. That is, unless, you choose a career with the U.S. Army.

As established companies shut their doors and experienced employees are laid off, the Army is offering paid training, free housing, full medical and dental benefits and 30 days paid vacation each year. They will also help you to discover the best career path you.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

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The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an assessment tool used by the Army to identify the best career path for you, taking into account your interests, abilities and aptitudes. Once your ideal career is identified, the Army will then pay for all of your training.

You will receive a paycheck and benefits as you go to various schools around the world to build your professional skills. You will also develop strength of character, a sense of community that spans the globe, and have the opportunity to apply your new skills in a wide range of circumstances.

Love Your Job

There is no sense going to job every day that you dislike. There are simply too many careers to choose from for that. Your job should be something that challenges you, that piques your interest and that allows for you to grow and achieve higher levels of accomplishment. The U.S. Army is ready, willing and able to help you make your dreams come true.

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America loves its troops! Most know that many businesses offer discounts to military — but how do you know which ones do? The folks at RewardOurTroops.com have come up with a great idea — a way for you to search for businesses that offer discounts to the military.

The team at RewardOurTroops.com seeks out companies that offer military discounts and compiles them in an ‘easy to search’ list. They list discounts on everything from groceries, to restaurants to hotels. If you’re an active military member, it pays to check out Reward Our Troops before you buy.

Great Marketing for Businesses!

If you offer a military discount, adding your listing Reward Our Troops can help you increase patronage. For a limited time, Reward Our Troops is offering a 1 year FREE unlimited posting and sign up to all businesses, all military members and supporters of our troops with absolutely no obligation.