How HARD is Each Boot Camp in the U.S. Military?

In order to enlist in the United States Military, you have to go through some sort of boot camp or basic training. Want to know what happens in U.S. military boot camp? Or what every U.S. Military boot camp is like? The U.S. Military has six branches, each with their own boot camp. In order to get into any of these branches, you have to get through them.

In this video, we’re covering Army Basic Training, Navy Boot Camp, Marine Boot Camp, Air Force Basic Military Training, Coast Guard Boot Camp, and Space Force Basic Military Training. Each branch has a different boot camp, with different lengths, standards, training, and way of life. If you want to know what every U.S. military boot camp is like, watch this video!

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[GeneralDischarge]

Which boot camp do you think is the hardest?

[andrewcombe]

I don’t care about the shade people put on USCG the reality is every time those Coasties go out it’s real. The sea doesn’t fire blanks. If you have ever had to save someone from a sinking boat or ship in a bad sea you know it’s as dangerous as any combat zone.

[geo]

Going through Marine Corps boot camp during the summer of 1970 was, shall we say, an experience.

[abefromen]

3:41 Army
6:09 Navy
8:09 Marines
11:03 Air Force and Space Force
14:04 Coast Guard

[Some_guy_youll_nevermeet]

Marine corps Bootcamp is lowkey the funniest thing ever, just make sure you don't laugh if you love your life.

[ryanworkman]

As a coast guard veteran I can tell you that every day in boot camp we are pounded with the idea that before you can save others, you better be able to save yourself. And as part of the PFT recruits must also accomplish a water survival proficiency exam.(tread water for 60 minutes & fundamental swimming skills)

[Shreadington]

Ooh Rah! Maine Corps Boot Camp was a highlight of my career. Under Commandant Gen Krulak the Crucible was introduced in 1996. I hit the yellow footprints @3am 6/2/97 at MCRD CA. At 19 I loved the physical and mental challenge of Boot Camp and the Crucible. When anything in life gets tough I reflect on completing Boot Camp. Suddenly life isn't so tough.

[danielreeve]

The beginning of the Coast Guard section of the video is the Coast Guard Academy, which has nothing to do with enlisted basic training.

[harleyb.birdwhisperer]

My memories of AF boot camp in 1965 - How to walk in an organized group (march), recognize rank insignia, learn to salute & wear the uni, UCMJ briefing, a bit of easy PT, choose your job, get some shots and a haircut, a day at the range.

[larryrucker]

I went in Air Force in late 1968. Boot camp/Basic Training was more to teach about rules and regulations, proper military etiquette, and weed out those incapable of medium physical demands (1 mile run, 50 sit ups, 30 push ups, etc.). The TI's were in your face much of the time insuring you could follow instructions. Not really hard, but getting rid of the 90 pound weaklings. They were looking to get people of high technical ability as support specialists. Great education following basic with the diversity of career paths available. I appreciate the education I was provided.

[terrarecon]

I would like to see a comparison of each branches boot camps today versus 20-30 years ago against their own changes over time.

[kah]

There is a lot more to serving in any branch than just boot camp. Bragging about boot camp all your life doesn’t pay the bills.

[Okkara-qb]

The Army and Marines are more physically demanding, as their ground combat mission requires a higher level of cardio fitness and stamina.

However, here are some general insights:

Air Force: Often considered one of the more manageable branches in terms of boot camp. The Air Force's basic training is shorter (about 8.5 weeks) than the other branches and places a strong emphasis on academics and technical training. Many recruits find the environment to be less physically demanding compared to the Army or Marine Corps.

Navy: The Navy's boot camp lasts about 8 weeks and includes both physical training and classroom instruction. While it does have its challenges, many recruits find it to be a supportive environment, especially with the focus on teamwork and camaraderie.

Army: Army basic training lasts about 10 weeks and is physically demanding. However, many recruits find it manageable, especially if they prepare physically beforehand. The Army offers a variety of roles, some of which may have less intense training.

Marine Corps: The Marine Corps is known for having the most rigorous boot camp (13 weeks). It is highly physically demanding and mentally challenging, making it the hardest for many recruits.

Coast Guard: The Coast Guard's boot camp lasts about 8 weeks and is focused on both physical fitness and maritime skills. It is often seen as a good balance between physical and mental challenges.

There are no free rides. All basic training programs will make you break a sweat and exert yourself.

Ultimately, the "easiest" branch will depend on your personal strengths and preferences. It’s important to consider what type of training and lifestyle you’re looking for in your military career. Preparing physically and mentally before enlistment can also help make the transition smoother, regardless of the branch.

_"By far it would be the US Marines!!!!"_
The truth is that the Marine basic training is the hardest and it's not seriously debated.

By far it would be the US Marines. They are seemingly an afterthought, but Coast Guard training is nearly as physically vigorous as the Marine Corps. They are the second most difficult, but most coasties are too busy actually doing shit to brag about it. Their daily military lives are vastly different and since they aren't usually included in the discussions you rarely hear from them to interject themselves in the conversation.

The Navy is generally considered a softer branch alongside the air force, but I think their looser discipline is why they get that perception. Physically I think their boot camp is harder than the army's from everything I've seen and heard. The army is in love with acting like the Marine Corps' rival, but they're only rivals in the way my windshield is a rival to bugs. They give off the perception that they're all hardcore soldiers, but they are massive and only a relatively low percentage of their troops are combat related. Their boot camp is so varied due to multiple locations, multiple phases at various different units that it's difficult to compare, but that's my two cents.

The Marines practice excruciatingly high standards to maintain the quality of troops they have fielded, both male and female, for two and a half centuries. Reports like the 1997 Defense Department study and the recent studies by the Marines are making many in the Marine Corps speculative that these high standards will be maintained in the future, a ramification that could endanger future Marines. One such Marine brave enough to comment on this is Marine General John Kelly.

_Asreported by CNS News, “Marine Gen. John Kelly, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, said at a Pentagon press briefing on Friday that he believes that future generals will face “great pressure” to lower the standards for women in combat in order to get more women into combat roles.“My greatest fear—and we see this happen a lot over the 45 years I’ve been in the Armed Forces–is right now they’re saying we are not going to change any standards, ” said Kelly. “There will be great pressure, whether it’s 12 months from now, four years from now, because the question will be asked whether we’ve let women into these other roles, why aren’t they staying in those other roles?“Why aren’t they advancing as infantry people—persons–I guess? Why aren’t they becoming, you know, more senior?” he said. “And the answer is–I think will be–if we don’t change standards, it will be very, very difficult to have any numbers, any real numbers, come into the infantry, or the Rangers or the Seals, but that’s their business.”So, ” said Kelly, “I think it will be the pressure for not probably the generals that are here now, but for the generals to come, and admirals, to lower standards because that’s the only way it’ll work in the way that I hear some people, particularly, the agenda-driven people here in Washington–or in the land–the way they want it to work.”_

[BMF]

I served in the Marine Corps for 21 years as an infantry officer with 3 years in combat. The Marine PFT today is laughable compared to the Physical Readiness Tests (PRT) in the 1960's.

This was brutal. In full combat gear including the M-14 rifle, it consisted of the following:

Pullups
Sit ups
Squat Trusts
Low crawl for 30 yards with a fireman's carry back 30 yards
Rope climb
Step ups
and a 3 mile run in under 30 minutes

That was a ball buster and quickly weeded out those that couldn't take it.

We also ran the Obstacle Course at least once with full combat gear for score. The other O course runs were just in utility uniform.

I understand that it is even more difficult today in both OCS and Boot Camp. If so, that's a good thing, because combat is going to be much more difficult in terms of mental and physical endurance and stress. All branches should train as they intend to fight. In the Marine infantry that means brutal firefights, being shelled, mines and booby traps, friendly fire, accidents, and the list goes on. Not fun, but someone has to volunteer to fight with our government commits to war. I just wish the politicians would commit to letting us win the damn war in stead of playing silly games of attrition which we never win.

[falsealias]

Talk about timing. I’m going to basic training in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri on January 6.

[erikdirks]

As a Navy Veteran, you are spot on. Thank you so much for your channel and keep up the good work!

[Drums-yzss]

Things have changed a lot since my 6 week basic training in the Air Force in 1968. We handled a weapon (M16) once, fired one clip, and gave them back. An obstacle course twice. Lots of sit-ups, pushups and jumping jacks, as well as the usual marching training. The rest was classroom stuff about who to salute and code of conduct. No written tests. Basically, it was just kind of inconvenient, but not terribly challenging. After a couple of weeks of the TI’s yelling at us, it was pretty low key.

[wauzdancer]

Graduated as a Marine at PI in 1976. I am near 70 years old now. I don't remember much but I remember everything learned in basic training. Best thing I did in my live. You learn to toughen up, do what it takes to succeed. I remember my Marine brothers I served with.
What do you learn as a US Marine. Internal discipline and staying focused, as these are the most valuable skill you can ever have. They were key later while working through college and building my civilian career.
My four years in the Marines: MOS 3531. No I was not a Grunt. However I might not have been "The Pride" However I am the one with the ride. Love my M35 6x6.
3rd MAW, MWSG-37, WERS-37, WTS-37 (later redesignated as MWSS-373). Spent each and every summer at Twentynine Palms at the EAF.

[Ya-average-B]

Any boot camp or school is only as hard as you make it out to be. Have a positive attitude, dont quit and you'll be alright.

[marvindaugherty]

You left out 2nd phase of the USMC where you go to the range for 2 weeks and have to qualify at 500