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What Comes After Military Boot Camp?

May 25, 2017 By larryf

If you’re interested in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard, have you wondered what comes after military boot camp or basic training? You’ve been through the process, visits with your local recruiter, filling out paperwork and you’re about to enter boot camp or basic training. Are you wondering what comes once this part of your training is over?

There are several possibilities after boog camp or basic training, depending on the branch of the armed forces you chose and the job you plan to pursue. Here’s a look at what may come after boot camp for you.

Ending Basic Training Hell

For many recruits, basic training will seem much like hell. It will end however, and you will be in great shape both mentally and physically. However, if you’re not prepared for what’s next, it could come as a big shock.

Unless you’re going into the Army as an officer, you’ll likely move on to AIT or Advanced Individual Training after basic training. You may get to take a few days leave before you move on to the next step, however.

The Marine Corps give you ten days of leave right after basic training before you enter into the School of Infantry. The Navy and Air Force make you go through your military job training before you get any leave, unless it’s the week of Christmas.

Job Training After Basic Training

Your job training can vary greatly depending on what you will be doing. Some will go to Military Police School, while others will go on to Defense Information School or Quartermaster School. Marines may go on to SIO West, SOI East, Infantry Training Battalion or Marine Combat Training. Each branch is a bit different and some jobs require different training than others. It’s best to check with your local recruiter to see what type of training will be required after you get done with basic training or boot camp for your specific job.

If you entered the Army or another branch of the armed forced with plans to become an officer you’ll likely go from basic training to Officer Candidate School. This training usually lasts about 12 weeks and it’s pretty intense leadership training. However, once you complete the training, you will come out as a higher rank.

Reserves After Basic Training

Things are a bit different if you joined the reserves or the Army National Guard, but still very similar. You will still go on to either Officer Candidate School or Advanced Individual Training. After you finish this training, you will go home, normally. If everything is normal, you’ll go back to regular life. However, you may be suddenly deployed after your training.

Leave and Vacation After Basic Training

As soon as you start your training, you’ll begin to accumulate leave or vacation time. Everybody in the military gets 2.5 days of leave for every month of active service. However, you cannot just plan a vacation whenever you want. Leave has to be approved and it’s always subject to the needs of the service. If something important is going on, such as training, you cannot just take off on vacation. You won’t be able to take any leave during basic training, unless there’s a verified family emergency.

While you’re on leave, you will be responsible for your travel expenses. The military will get you to your old duty station, but you have to take it from there.

What happens after boot camp or basic training can vary quite a bit. It completely depends on which job you will pursue, the branch of the military you joined and what the service needs. Reserves are not guaranteed to go home after their training, as they can be deployed to a war zone, if that’s the need of the service they joined.

It’s best if you understand what to expect after boot camp or basic training before you sign up for the military. Make sure to speak with your local recruiter to find out what you will go through, based on the service you choose and your job, once your training is over. You should also understand when you’ll get leave to see your family and let them know what to expect after you graduate from basic training or boot camp.

Remember, every branch of the military is different and every job can require different training. Talk to your recruiter for details about the job you plan to perform and the branch of service you want to join. You may get leave right after basic training or you may have to wait until your advanced training has been completed.

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