Anyone currently in the Army?

**Aguila Blanca** · April 14, 2018, 03:21 PM

The daughter of a friend is enlisting in the Army. More accurately, she has enlisted, and will report for Basic Combat Training in July. Trying to get her a bit of a leg up on what to expect, but my BCT was 52 years ago, and I'm certain it's not the same now as it was then.

What weapon do they train with in BCT these days, M16 or M4? A2 open (peep) sights, or optics? If they use optics in BCT, what do they use, ACOG?

thallub · April 14, 2018, 05:04 PM

The M16A2 rifle:

https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/...e-2-white.html

**Aguila Blanca** · April 14, 2018, 06:35 PM

Great link. Thanks! I'll pass it along.

FrankenMauser · April 14, 2018, 08:50 PM

Remind her that it's all a game designed to break recruits from individuality, so they can be built back up as a team player.
Play the game by their rules, and it's smooth sailing.
In the grand scheme of things, it's all over in the blink of an eye.

Kevin Rohrer · April 14, 2018, 09:25 PM

Get her running in boots and doing lots of pushup, sit-ups, etc.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 14, 2018, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenMauser

Remind her that it's all a game designed to break recruits from individuality, so they can be built back up as a team player.

That's already on the list of things I plan to convey.

shuvelrider · April 14, 2018, 10:28 PM

I'm still in the Army with 27 years so far total time, active duty years ago but currently reservist with two deployments--------doesn't mean jack to most people anymore. But, a few years ago I helped a school friend of my daughter going into basic training, never fired a weapon in her life. We went to my local range "private" and I went thru the fundamentals with my A4 configured rifle, with iron sights. Set up a course of fire with wooden cutouts and the actual course of fire for qual on paper, she learned alot and did well in basic where they taught her more with optics. The training will cover iron and optics/acog, the type of training may vary amongst training posts but yet the same.

ms6852 · April 14, 2018, 11:27 PM

Remind her that it is a head game, and mistakes that we all made and pay for by running in place or doing pushups and pull-ups is just a way of incorporating physical training and conditioning throughout the extend of her boot camp not necessarily punishment. Everything is stress oriented because if they can not keep it together in bootcamp they definitely won't keep it together in a real life time war scenario.

T. O'Heir · April 16, 2018, 01:13 PM

Basic Combat Training is just what they call Basic training now. Rule of the game is to keep your mouth shut and do what they tell you. They're not looking for leaders or marksmen in Basic. They want to know if you can follow orders and are fit enough to play.
https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/...-training.html
Oh and tell her rappelling is kind of boring once you realize the rope(usually #11 nylon that'll hold over 3000 kg.) stretches a bit. Otherwise, there's nothing about it that's scary.

cw308 · April 16, 2018, 03:34 PM

After Basic you went into AIT , that's in 1966 . The infantry is much different now , more fine tuned better equipment , we used starlight scopes , now night vision. Different ball game , aid stations much better . My advice would be , just go with the flow , your in good hands. My Son has been in for 14 years , two deployments . Loves it . Also has a Federal Job so he's double dipping . When he retires he'll be in good shape . God Bless America .

Chris

rickyrick · April 16, 2018, 06:24 PM

Pay attention and learn, realize that all the rest is mental games.

Been out a while, for sure, details change but the basic format doesn’t really .

**Aguila Blanca** · April 16, 2018, 08:06 PM

Folks, I've already discussed with her all the points you've raised, and many more. That said, this thread was initiated because her father asked me specifically about what rifle and what sights (open or optics) she would encounter. I appreciate your intent with the other unsolicited comments but, please ... can we just fly the mission? What I need to find out is what weapon(s) she will encounter in BCT, and whether or not she'll see an optical sight, such as an ACOG, in BCT.

jmr40 · April 16, 2018, 08:27 PM

I never served so I cannot provide any direct input. But the M16A2 was replaced over 20 years ago. Maybe they are still using them in training since the controls are basically the same.

Based on what I'm seeing front line combat units no longer use iron sights at all. But rear area soldiers don't get the newest and best rifles. And a female soldier won't be in a front line combat unit. They may still be training with those old rifles and issuing them to rear area soldiers. I don't know either.

Keeping an eye on this one because I'm curious as well.

SPEMack618 · April 17, 2018, 09:49 AM

In all likely hood, she will shoot a worn out M-4 with a CCO on it. That is a non magnified red dot.

The last three cycles at Ft Jackson that I know of all had the recruits shoot for score with them.

For drill and what not, it will probably be an M-16A2, but that varies a little bit

April 14, 2018, 08:50 PM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Remind her that it's all a game designed to break recruits from individuality, so they can be built back up as a team player. Play the game by their rules, and it's smooth sailing. In the grand scheme of things, it's all over in the blink of an eye. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

April 14, 2018, 09:25 PM	#5
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	Get her running in boots and doing lots of pushup, sit-ups, etc. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

April 14, 2018, 11:27 PM	#8
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	Remind her that it is a head game, and mistakes that we all made and pay for by running in place or doing pushups and pull-ups is just a way of incorporating physical training and conditioning throughout the extend of her boot camp not necessarily punishment. Everything is stress oriented because if they can not keep it together in bootcamp they definitely won't keep it together in a real life time war scenario. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

April 16, 2018, 01:13 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Basic Combat Training is just what they call Basic training now. Rule of the game is to keep your mouth shut and do what they tell you. They're not looking for leaders or marksmen in Basic. They want to know if you can follow orders and are fit enough to play. https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/...-training.html Oh and tell her rappelling is kind of boring once you realize the rope(usually #11 nylon that'll hold over 3000 kg.) stretches a bit. Otherwise, there's nothing about it that's scary. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

April 16, 2018, 08:27 PM	#13
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	I never served so I cannot provide any direct input. But the M16A2 was replaced over 20 years ago. Maybe they are still using them in training since the controls are basically the same. Based on what I'm seeing front line combat units no longer use iron sights at all. But rear area soldiers don't get the newest and best rifles. And a female soldier won't be in a front line combat unit. They may still be training with those old rifles and issuing them to rear area soldiers. I don't know either. Keeping an eye on this one because I'm curious as well. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

April 14, 2018, 03:21 PM	#1
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,458	Anyone currently in the Army? The daughter of a friend is enlisting in the Army. More accurately, she has enlisted, and will report for Basic Combat Training in July. Trying to get her a bit of a leg up on what to expect, but my BCT was 52 years ago, and I'm certain it's not the same now as it was then. What weapon do they train with in BCT these days, M16 or M4? A2 open (peep) sights, or optics? If they use optics in BCT, what do they use, ACOG?

April 14, 2018, 05:04 PM	#2
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,112	The M16A2 rifle: https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/...e-2-white.html

April 14, 2018, 06:35 PM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,458	Great link. Thanks! I'll pass it along.

April 14, 2018, 10:28 PM	#7
shuvelrider Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2011 Location: West Coast of Michigan Posts: 132	I'm still in the Army with 27 years so far total time, active duty years ago but currently reservist with two deployments--------doesn't mean jack to most people anymore. But, a few years ago I helped a school friend of my daughter going into basic training, never fired a weapon in her life. We went to my local range "private" and I went thru the fundamentals with my A4 configured rifle, with iron sights. Set up a course of fire with wooden cutouts and the actual course of fire for qual on paper, she learned alot and did well in basic where they taught her more with optics. The training will cover iron and optics/acog, the type of training may vary amongst training posts but yet the same.

April 16, 2018, 03:34 PM	#10
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	After Basic you went into AIT , that's in 1966 . The infantry is much different now , more fine tuned better equipment , we used starlight scopes , now night vision. Different ball game , aid stations much better . My advice would be , just go with the flow , your in good hands. My Son has been in for 14 years , two deployments . Loves it . Also has a Federal Job so he's double dipping . When he retires he'll be in good shape . God Bless America . Chris

April 16, 2018, 06:24 PM	#11
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	Pay attention and learn, realize that all the rest is mental games. Been out a while, for sure, details change but the basic format doesn’t really .

April 16, 2018, 08:06 PM	#12
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,458	Folks, I've already discussed with her all the points you've raised, and many more. That said, this thread was initiated because her father asked me specifically about what rifle and what sights (open or optics) she would encounter. I appreciate your intent with the other unsolicited comments but, please ... can we just fly the mission? What I need to find out is what weapon(s) she will encounter in BCT, and whether or not she'll see an optical sight, such as an ACOG, in BCT.

April 17, 2018, 09:49 AM	#14
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	In all likely hood, she will shoot a worn out M-4 with a CCO on it. That is a non magnified red dot. The last three cycles at Ft Jackson that I know of all had the recruits shoot for score with them. For drill and what not, it will probably be an M-16A2, but that varies a little bit __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"

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