Leaving for BCT at 39 years old

[Scott Harrison Levy]

I enlisted in the Army on March 10th of this year. I am finally shipping out (after 6 months of waiting) on Sept. 1st. The anxiety is starting to mount. I have done as much training as I possibly can so, I know that I am mentally prepared. I still worry about my physical shape a little bit. I didn't exactly take care of my body over the past decade and my age certainly doesn't help. I have, however, tried to overcome my poor health habits since enlistment. I have quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and ingesting large quantities of sugar and caffeine.
Over the past 6 months I have trained regularly with my future unit which resulted in 2 promotions so far and one Certificate of Achievement award for outstanding performance in the field. I also attend future soldier training once a week which consists of classes and a drill sergeant coming in and smoking us for about an hour. I thought with all this preparation I would be good-to-go when I left but there is still some anxiety as my ship date nears. It might be because I have to leave my wife and two children behind for the first time and I am going for 10 weeks of BCT and 44 weeks of AIT. That's a long time to be away from your family.
I was curious if there were any others out there that are heading off to basic training at a later age in their life. I'm curious of how the adjustment is going to be surrounded by recruits that are considerably younger than myself. Also, I was wondering how the younger recruits out there feel about being in a platoon with someone that could be as old as their parents?
In any case I can't wait to embark on this great adventure and experience and I wish all of the other recruits out there heading off to training my best wishes and to thank you for serving your country.

[sockpuppet]

Well I turned 41 during basic training and I did it! I didn't have much time to prepare either and felt that I was in poor shape (running wise) when I left for training. I could pass the push ups and sit ups prior to leaving, but my run times were pathetic. Now I can pass my run with more than two minutes to spare, and recently did a seven friggin' mile run in 56 minutes. So if I can do it, so can you.

Sounds like you have prepared for longer and more thoroughly than I did, so I expect you'll be fine. I also suspect that you'll find that the REAL hardest part of basic (and AIT) is being cooped up with so many people in such close quarters (most of whom are far younger than you, and far more annoying). The thing is, there's no escape, you're going to have to deal with them and the lack of privacy etc for many months on end.

Also, the lack of caffeine turned out to be one of the hardest things about army training. If you're a coffee in the morning person, you're gonna really miss your fix of caffeine every day. If I had realized this I would have quit coffee as part of my pre-basic get ready routines.

I've posted some stuff about my experience and plan to post some more stuff soon.

al

[Daniel Major]

I have enlisted in the Army and ship out for Basic in 2 months. Not sure about physical training in other branchs, you the link below should give you all the information you need about the Army physical training.

http://www.goarmy.com/life/fitness/fitness_and_nutrition.jsp

[xiaodimu]

I am going to join in military,so i want to know what's the programe of physical training in boot camp,just as situp,pushup,running? whatelse?thank you.

[Scott Harrison Levy]

Hey Davie...

First, I wanted to thank you for your response and input to my blog on this great website. This site is a great place for future and current soldiers to communicate wth one another. I also wanted to thank you for your wonderful and positive words of wisdom. I am very proud of my age and all of my accomplishments. Sometimes, however, I let trivial things plant themselves in my sub-conscious, that I mistake as a burden instead of recognizing them for what they are...A tremendous motivator!
I think that you have an incredible, positve outlook on things that will make you an outstanding soldier and an asset to our country. I appreciate the impact that your comment has made on my outllook before I leave for training. You have certainly made a difference in my approach to my new career and , once again, I thank you
I wish you the best of luck in all that you do and I hope that you are able to keep in touch with me to let me know how your training went.

Sincerely,

PFC Scott Levy 68A

[Davie Whitson]

Hey Scott,
I am with you on the age thing...I am 41. I leave 28SEPT09 for basic at Fort Jackson, SC. I will then be attending AIT in Aberdeen, MD in 11JAN10. I have been training hard too and feel better than I every have in my entire life. I have always been very athletic and active so training has not been too hard for me. I can already complete more than what is required for graduation on the phycial assesment standards on situps, pushups, run. I am pushing myself to the very last day. I want to go far beyond what is expected just to better prepare myself. Like you I cut out all the caffine in addition to artificial sweetners, refined sugars and just drink water. I have been eating only what I know is good for me. I am not worried about my age because I feel good about myself. I am confident and ready for the challenge. I am not concerned about being around younger recruits...actually look forward to being around a diversity of people. I am an outgoing person and can strike up conversation and friendship with anyone of any age. I can take teasing and getting picked on by younger recruits and just laugh it all off and take everything in stride. I think it is all how you prepare youself mentally. I am not there to worry about what other recruits think about my age. I am there to give 110% of myself into my military training. Which includes learning to deal with my fellow recruits regardless or age..etc. I will miss my family too. But, my goals are to serve my country, better myself...which all will better the lives of my family members. I can't think of a better way to show my family that I love them. I wish you the best of luck with your future training. Davie Whitson - 91B

[Justin Fluty]

First off thank you Scott. I have been training everyday for about 8 months by myself and that sucks but the Army is my dream and goal. Iam about to start college for 3 months for 15 college credits cuz i dropped out of school in the 12th grade idiot I know. I am 26 and been married for 4 years and have 3 great kids. But I am with you I can do all the pushups and situps and run all the miles they want us too, but not seeing my wife and kids for 14 weeks of BCT and AIT is going to the hardest thing. Not to mention the months and months I will be gone to Afganastan. But know this everyone has a job to do ours will consist of not seeing our family that much, but the sense of pride and honor we share is second to no job in the world. I figure while we grind it out our families will be safe and well taken care of after all thats why people work to support their families and we will do just that except we are away while we do it. And to the other question about your age. I think us young guys need and older guy there whose been there and done that in other aspects other than the military. I quit smokin and snackin too it is tough but we soon will be apart of the greatest ARMY in the world. Be a man among men, (soldiers,leaders,and committed fathers). GOD BLESS YA -Justin Fluty 11b HOOYAA!