US Army basic training??

Question

Am I allowed to bring a book or yarn to do crafts in my down time, like on Sundays?

Answer 1

I went to basic in 2005 and we were not allowed to have >anything< not issued to us aside from things like stamps, envelopes, paper, and a religious book i.e. Bible. On Sunday, you will be cleaning the barracks, doing laundry, cleaning the barracks, cleaning weapons, some barracks maintenance, etc. Everything you bring with you gets locked up in a closet as soon as you leave reception. So you can bring a book with you (I would advise against any 'craft' type items) or something else small, but don't expect to use it at all while you are there. Anyways, good luck.

Answer 2

Are you kidding me?  Even on Sundays there was no down time.

I don't know about basic now, but in 1994, there was  no down time.  It was h**l.  Any moment not spent in training was spent in training, and any moment not spent in training was spent in training.  Sleep, food, cleaning were optional.  Cleaning and preparing for training were mandatory.

We had to cease training for 30 minutes in about the 6th week of basic and everyone was ordered to write home.  Then we went back to training.  At the 11th week, we got phone privileges and could call home for 5 minutes.

I am Infantry and I trained in an all male combat unit.  I don't know how females go through training, but I would suspect if you brought yarn you would automatically become a target for your Drill Instructors.

Bring a book.  Books are neutral and mostly safe.  Nothing too racy or outlandish.  I brought a Bible, a history book, and a journal.  Read Bible sometimes, never opened the history book, and tried to keep a daily journal.  (the Drill SGT will read every page, so do not put anything in it that you would not want on a billboard in front of the Drill SGT's office).

I wish you luck and I welcome you to the service.  You are preparing to do something that only a small percentage of the US participates in.  I salute you and I hope your basic training goes well.

Answer 3

no your proabably not going to have alot of time to do whatever, and if you do - then you might wanna sleep during that time.. sundays you go to church or you clean up the barracks... its not vacation, once you get to ait you will have a little bit more downtime but you will have to study more

Answer 4

Downtime? What's that? Sure you can bring a book or maybe some crafts. Good luck on having downtime time to enjoy either though. Sunday you will most likely spend most of the day cleaning the barracks, with the exception of the time you spend in the religious institute of your choice.

h**l, I'm an atheist and I went to a Wicca gathering on Sundays in basic because the alternative was spending more time cleaning the barracks.

You'll probably have to wait for AIT before you get any serious downtime to do anything.