MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Online Schools
| VA Loans
Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Important Basic Training Changes

March 19, 2010
By SGT Michael Volkin

For decades, Army recruits have been trained on how to use the bayonet. I still remember my bayonet training.

It was a misty morning after a terrible downpour when the drill sergeants marched our platoon to a muddy field. We learned how to affix our bayonets to our weapons and took our positions next to a wooden structure with a spare tire on the top.

As the drill sergeants yelled out commands, the 80 recruits stuck the tires in unison.

A memorable exercise it was, but practical it was not. I remember thinking to myself the odds of me using a bayonet in combat where about as likely as my drill sergeant offering to carry my rifle back to the barracks.

Finally, the Army announced last week that bayonet training will be replaced with more practical exercises.

Frank Palkoska, head of the Army’s Fitness School at Fort Jackson, has incorporated some new fitness exercises into the recruit’s military fitness regimen.

These exercises include zigzag sprints and exercises that develop core muscles. These new exercises are much more practical to what soldiers will be experiencing in the field or combat situations (i.e. heavy pack patrols, handling body armor, ambush situations, etc).

The new plan is being expanded this month at the Army’s four other basic training installations ” Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Fort Sill, Okla., Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Knox, Ky.

The new training also uses “more calisthenics to build core body power, strength and agility,” Palkoska said in an office bedecked with 60-year-old black and white photos of World War II-era mass exercise drills.

APFT Calisthenics Exercises

Over the 10 weeks of basic, a strict schedule of exercises is done on a varied sequence of days so muscles rest, recover and strengthen.

As a basic training consultant and author, I think the changes are very positive. Now, if I could only convince Frank Palkoska to replace the back wrenching sit-ups on the fitness tests for the more efficient and effective ab crunch, we would be in business.

SGT Michael Volkin is the author of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook and the Ultimate Interactive Basic Training Workbook. Both of his books are available at ultimatebasictraining.com

Comments

Filed Under: Resources

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Hicks Emphasizes Aptitude for Technology to ROTC Graduates

MAY 20, 2022 – Today’s ROTC graduates are more prepared to use the technologies the U.S. is developing and employing than ever before, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks told the National Capital Region’s graduating ROTC class today. That’s great news for the military because such preparation will be crucial in meeting the challenges the […]

Is the Army Reserve Calling You?

APRIL 27, 2022 – Graduating high school is a momentous achievement culminating in years of hard work and dedication. It also presents one of the most challenging questions many people will face in their life, “What do I do now?” Many high school students struggle with what they should do next, joining the workforce or […]

NEXCOM’s NEXT Gen Scholars Program Support Students

MAY 17, 2022 – The Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) NEXT gen Scholars Program offers qualified students the opportunity to win $2,500, $1,500, $1,000 or $500 each quarter for earning good grades in school. The next drawing is at the end of June 2022. To enter the drawing, students must be full-time with a “B” […]

How to Live as a Civilian After Active Duty

MAY 20, 2022 – When you were on active duty, money might not have been a huge issue. You lived on base, ate at the mess hall, and didn’t have any outstanding debt. Life was far different than what you lived prior to entering the service. But now that your time in the military is […]

DoD Authorizes Temporary Increase to 2021 BAH Rates

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 – The Department of Defense has temporarily authorized increases in the 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for 56 housing markets (commonly referred to as Military Housing Areas, MHAs) across the U.S. Uniformed service members who have incurred increased housing costs above their current BAH may be eligible to apply and […]

Recent Posts

  • Upgrading Your Rifle: 6 Considerations to Have in Mind
  • How to Choose the Best International Movers?
  • Hicks Emphasizes Aptitude for Technology to ROTC Graduates
  • Alliances Will Be Key to Success in the Indo-Pacific
  • How to Live as a Civilian After Active Duty
MAINMENU




SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2022 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.