What New Army Soldiers Go Through On Day One Of Boot Camp | Boot Camp

We got an inside look at what United States Army infantry trainees go through during their first day of basic training at the Maneuver Center of Excellence in Fort Benning, Georgia. For decades, trainees were indoctrinated on day one with an unofficial tradition known as the "shark attack," during which they were verbally berated by drill sergeants in a manner subsequently described by Army officials as "degrading."

In the fall of 2020, the shark attack was officially replaced with an event called the "first 100 yards," which incorporates teamwork into a competition that features mental and physical challenges. According to the Army, the shark attack was a tradition born during the Vietnam era, when soldiers were drafted to serve. After determining that it did not speak to the all-volunteer force that constitutes today's Army, Fort Benning leadership designed the new event.

Chief video correspondent Graham Flanagan followed trainees in the the all-male Delta Company of the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment during the first 100 yards. Divided into four platoons, the trainees competed for a reward in four separate events that forced them to work together in a stressful environment.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In a previous version of the video at :42, the speaker’s title previously said “Staff Sgt.” Now it says “Sgt. First Class.” Insider regrets the error.

MORE BOOT CAMP VIDEOS:
Why The Army Canceled The 'Shark Attack' Tradition At Boot Camp
What Army Recruits Go Through At Boot Camp
Why Army Recruits Master The 'Rolling T' Combat Formation At Boot Camp

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What New Army Soldiers Go Through On Day One Of Boot Camp | Boot Camp

[fun]

When I went through infantry school in 2001 just after 9/11 the drill sergeants still went “hands on” many times. The yelling and cussing was all day, every day. You were lucky if you got 5 hours of sleep. The drill sergeants made it clear to us the we WILL be deployed to a combat and that some of us won’t make it back. The training took a very serious tone when our commander came out and told us “this is real world life or death. If you don’t absorb this training your families will be getting a folded American flag”. We thought he was just trying to scare us but then we noticed him and all the drill sergeants had tears in their eyes. From that point forward no one fucked around. After graduation I was sent to 10th Mountain and was in Afghanistan 2 months later. Nothing can prepare you for the real thing. But the mental toughness they instilled in us in training definitely helped.

[datrubz]

10:32 “Humble, but not passive. Same as aggressive, but not reckless” words to live by

[jonathanwstx]

I’ve been in the Army almost 13 years..when I heard about this, I wasn’t convinced. But honestly, this is exactly what new Soldiers need. This builds, teamwork, discipline and provides a sense of urgency.

[bighomie]

I actually love this with what they’re doing now. It challenges them mentally while keeping them under stress, yet keeping it very competitive. Definitely different than the shark attack I experienced 9 years ago.

[alchemicalsoul]

I'm a 14 year Navy vet. My son leaves for Ft. Benning tomorrow. I'm just here to mentally prepare myself for his experience. I'll be thinking of him every day.

[drkangel]

I love how the drill sgts took the “punishment” with the platoons

[Kevan]

Just put a smile on my face from what I went through in 1988.. And I'm proud to say that my son experienced this in 2022

[Sculpted.Gentleman]

Graduated basic a few weeks ago. We did this on the first day and after the 10 mile ruck from the forge which was our last field training event before we graduate. Even after being beaten down by the last field training event, my platoon worked together way more efficiently as a team that night compared to the first day. We became soldiers that night. It was for sure one of the most incredible experience I’ve ever had

[GaryHwang]

I graduated Infantry OSUT back in 2011 and back then I believe it was only 14 weeks. It was definitely mentally and physically challenging. We were lucky to get 5 hours of sleep a night. Shortly after I got stationed at Ft bliss and then deployed to Afghanistan.

The training has definitely provided the necessary skills that helped us in Afghanistan in OSUT and at our unit. I'm proud to be part of the infantry brotherhood.

I definitely wouldn't be as successful as I am today without having served in the Army Infantry. It wasn't an easy experience that's for sure. But it's definitely prepared me for life. Everything after the Army was easy to me. Well... easier. Nothing was as hard as what I went through in Afghanistan and the Army. Biggest thing I love is the brotherhood and comradery.. still to this day nothing replaces that feeling and I still keep in touch with some of my brothers.

I hope my fellow veterans are all doing well and future soldiers welcome to the family.

[SpeciallyKickin]

I graduated basic like 3 days ago and I remember this vividly. We just all got there and had to carry this stuff from point A to point B as a team. We carried ammo cans, water jugs, Randy’s and other junk across a distance. You also do the same thing at the beginning of the Forge

[Bearnoats]

The part where they say “shut your mouth” and the guy is perfectly standing still really made my day

[ogPRAT]

I joined the Marines from 16-20; when I became a CPL and had Marines, I had to lead; I never wasted my breath and energy yelling at any of them. I just slew them in physical fitness/mental training over their job until they got it right. Belittling their character and dignity as human beings were never the right way to go about things IMO. The way training has changed over the years has been for the better, and it is nice to see other branches making these changes.

Edit: Wow, thanks for the likes and the kind, appreciative words from those who say so. In response to those who do not believe that I am a Marine or have unkind comments about my training methods, it makes no difference to me on what you all say or how you think of me. My MOS was a FRO 0621 and served with 2nd Battalion 10th Marines Echo Battery, HQ, and Regiment (Artillery) and also was the Armorer; thankfully did not have to deploy to combat. I did deploy to Norway/United Kingdom for multinational training exercises; the closest thing to combat was in 2018 when Kim Jong-un was threatened to shoot missiles to the US and deployed to Okinawa, Japan. Semper Fi Devil Dogs and thank everyone one of you who are planning on joining the armed forces; the best decision I made in my life, and miss the suck with all my brothers and sisters.

[hollandahern]

I was skeptical of this when it first came out. This made me feel a little better, especially when they tell the recruits that there is no second place in combat and that the primary role of the infantry is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy. As long as that is the primary focus, stress in inoculation is still kept high, and we continue to have a lethal military, training changes are always welcome.

[briankelley]

I still remember shark attack: they didn't make it a forgettable experience. But I don't think this is "softer." It's setting an initial bar regarding ability to think quickly, teamwork, and attention to detail so that the DS knows where everyone is. And it's just as intense, if not moreso, because there are actual problems to solve here while keeping the focus on deploying, engaging, and destroying the enemy. The enemy will never stop evolving and we can't either.

[ogray]

This makes me want to be 18 again so I can re-enlist. The shark attack experience wasn't awful but it definitely delayed the time it took for us to coalesce as a team. Everything we did was a fear based response for the next week or so. Eventually we ended up loving our Drill Sergeants and realized they were rooting for us but having this team building through shared goals and the support of the DS from day one would have been awesome. I loved how the Drill Sergeants in this video still commanded respect but did so without intimidation and fear.

[adastra]

At first I was skeptical on this, my first thoughts were "oh great now boot camp is a field day". After watching this video, I was actually impressed. I am happy to see new recruits learning how to deal with stress while understanding the importance of teamwork, attention to detail, character, and overall staying humble.

[emilio]

I had this during my cycle, it really did build team work like no other.
My drill sergeant let us argue with each other for 3 weeks to settle our differences, and it brought us together as a team.

[featgorgon]

Yeah I remember multiple people throwing up during this event, it’s a lot longer than 100 yards and each step of the way you are sprinting, it’s easy to laugh and say how soft it is compared to the shark attack when you haven’t actually gone through it because it’s a lot harder than what is actually shown in these videos

[denzelbeauchamp]

Still mind blowing that I was among those people in that video in January won’t miss being there but the experience of learning new things everyday not just as a soldier but as a human being meant something I’m proud that I had the honor of going through everything

[ds]

I went through basic in 1979, trained by Sfc's that fought in Vietnam. I became a lifer because of the lessons I learned from them.