When you first enter the military and sign up as a new recruit, there are lots of steps and procedures that you’ll need to go through. It’s important to have a good idea of what you’ve got in store so you can be mentally prepared. It’s a process that some find tough, but it’s all necessary to ensure the individuals who sign up are ready for life of service. Read on to find out more about that.
Physical and Mental Training
A huge part of joining the military in those early days and weeks is completing the training that’s expected of all recruits. Physical and mental training are both part of basic training, as you’ll need to be not only in good physical shape but also the right frame of mind if you’re going to make it in the military.
An Introduction to the Rules and Regulations
As you might already know, in the military, rules and regulations are considered very important. It all comes down to discipline and understanding the importance of doing things by the book. When you first sign up, you’ll get a crash course on what’s expected of you in that regard, and you’ll need to learn fast.
Given Uniform, Gear and Weapon Handling
You’ll be given your uniform and all the gear that every soldier needs. Once you have your uniform, you’ll be expected to wear it in a particular way and to keep it clean and in good condition. You’ll also be given things like dog tags and other gear. If you have questions like ‘why are they called dog tags in the military?’, there’s plenty of resources out there to read up on. You’ll also be given weapon training to ensure you’re ready for any real-world combat situation.
Meeting Lots of New People
A huge part of the process of joining the military that a lot of people don’t talk about is meeting new people. You’ll meet people from all kinds of backgrounds from all across the country, and that can be a great experience. For some, it can also cause something of a culture shock, but try to view it as a positive as you’ll soon need to build that camaraderie.
Learning the Chain of Command
You’ll also need to become familiar with the chain of command and how that works when you first integrate into the army. You’ll obviously be at the very bottom of that chain of command when you first sign up, and you’ll need to know how the hierarchy above you functions if you’re going to avoid making embarrassing mistakes.
As you can see, there are lots of steps that you need to go through when you’re first entering the military. It can be a culture shock for many people, but it can also be the first step on a very rewarding path that might stretch on for the rest of your working life. Regardless, it’s good to know what’s in store for you when you first sign up.

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