Week 1: Receiving Drill Instructor View
Drill instructors guide recruits through receiving, as the recruits begin their transformation into United States Marines.
Inside Navy Boot Camp
Take a step-by-step tour of Navy Boot Camp at Great Lakes Recruit Training Depot to discover how recruits transform into Sailors.
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Gearing Up for Air Force Basic Training
Airmen describe what to expect during Basic Military Training (BMT).
Following the Company Commander
Seaman Recruit Heather Bevel describes what the first week of Coast Guard Basic Training is like.
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Face to Face with a Drill Sergeant
A drill sergeant lets an Army National Guard recruit know exactly how he feels.
12 Weeks: Marine Corps Recruit Training
Marine recruits in their 12th and final week of training reflect on their personal transformation and their future as Marines.
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Part-Time Pararescue
View a water rescue mission from the perspective of Tech. Sgt. Luigge Romanillo.
Hot in Here
In a training exercise, Army Reserve firefighters tackle a fire in the desert.
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Air Force Reserve Basic Training Graduation Ceremony
New Air Force reservists participate in a graduation ceremony after completing Basic Military Training (BMT).
A Change of Clothes
Recruits pick up their uniforms at Basic Training. They also receive Army Combat Uniforms (ACUs) and PT (Physical Training) uniforms.
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Marine Corps Drill Instructor
A drill instructor stands in front of recruits, ready to give orders.
Navy Reservists Participate in "Crewman Boot Camp"
Sailors from Navy Reserve Maritime Expeditionary Boat Detachment 421 conduct training aboard a 34-foot Sea Ark Navy security boat on the York River.
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CPR Training
Air Force recruits learn CPR during Basic Military Training (BMT).
Dive and Survive
Coast Guardsmen from the cutters Tybee and Sanibel complete water survival and life raft training.
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Training in the Recruit Sustainment Program
Members of the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) participate in an obstacle course.
Marine Corps Officer Candidates School
Marine instructors at Officer Candidates School describe the training that prepares candidates to lead by example.
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On-the-Job Fight Training
Tech. Sgt. Steven Graves, a member of the Air National Guard security forces, practices his fighting skills during a training assignment.
Daytime Cargo Drop Training
Army Reserve Soldiers participate in a daytime cargo drop exercise.
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Air Force Reserve Pararescueman Trains on Beach
An Air Force Reserve pararescueman must develop a special set of skills in order to assist those in need.
A New Look for New Recruits
Upon arrival at Basic Training recruits get haircuts and physical training uniforms.
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Week 2: In the Barracks Drill Instructor View
Drill instructors demand that recruits move quickly, be thorough and move as a unit.
Navy Diver Rescue Training
Navy divers train hard and often so they can save lives under any circumstance.
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Diagnostic Imaging Training
The Air Force offers many options for medical careers, including diagnostic imaging, which involves taking X-rays and scans of the body.
Training for the Winter
Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Heller, a boatswain's mate, demonstrates the heat escape lessening position during the station's annual wet drill training.
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Inside the Obstacle Course
Army National Guard recruits showcase their physical strength as they complete a demanding obstacle course.
Becoming a Marine Officer Candidate
Marine Officer Selection officers define the leadership potential and qualifications of an officer candidate.
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Helicopter Rescue Simulation
Tech. Sgt. Luigge Romanillo participates in a helicopter rescue mission exercise.
MPs on Patrol
Army Reserve Soldiers train to become MPs (Military Police). MPs help keep a military installation secure, protect travel routes and maintain law and order.
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Training While Serving the Community
As part of its service obligation, the Air Force Reserve 610th Aerospace Medical Flight trained at a hospital in Belcourt, N.D.
Hitting the Books
Basic Training isn't just about building physical strength and endurance. Recruits must also spend time in the classroom.
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Week 3: Bayonet Assault Course Recruit View
Recruits take on the Bayonet Assault Course and learn how to channel their intensity toward an enemy.
Navy Reservists Train Before Deployment
Navy reservists move into firing positions during a simulated improvised explosive device (IED) attack.
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Cultivating Leadership Skills in Basic Officer Training
Air Force officers describe what Basic Officer Training (BOT) is like.
Sailing Through the Storm
Petty Officer William Armstrong describes the intense training that goes into becoming a surfman for the Coast Guard.
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Staying in Touch
An Army National Guard recruit writes a letter during Basic Combat Training (BCT).
Making a Drill Instructor
At Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Sgt. Melissa Esquivel trains to become a Marine Corps drill instructor.
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Nighttime Cargo Drop Training
Army Reserve Soldiers participate in a nighttime cargo drop exercise.
Air Force Reservists Complete Basic Training
New Air Force reservists walk in the graduation parade after completing Basic Military Training (BMT) at Lackland Air Force Base.
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Basic Training: Red, White and Blue
Army recruits must pass the three phases of Basic Training. Each phase is named after a color of the American flag.
Week 6: Rappelling Recruit View
Recruits learn rappelling to prepare them to deploy from helicopters, navigate difficult terrain and gain access to buildings.
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Helicopter Underwater Egress Training
Aviation Rescue Swimmers (AIRRs) practice their escape from a downed helicopter that has gone underwater.
The Rigors of Commissioned Officer Training
During Commissioned Officer Training (COT), individuals with certain specialties, such as medicine, law and religion, learn how to be Air Force officers.
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Sure Shots
Army National Guard recruits learn how to fire automatic weapons during the later stages of Basic Combat Training (BCT).
Marine Corps Officer Candidate Training
Marine officer candidates go through intense training, proving their moral, mental and physical strength.
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Weapons Training
Pvt. Stephanie Patterson trains with an M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).
Pararescue Jumper Training
A pararescueman takes a leap from an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter into the water. Pararescuemen can rescue individuals from almost anywhere.
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An All-Around Workout
During Army Basic Training, recruits develop endurance, strength and flexibility.
Week 7: Grass Week Recruit View
Recruits learn the basics of weapons safety and marksmanship during grass week.
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Basic Combat Training Graduation
Members of the Army National Guard graduate from Basic Combat Training (BCT).
Advanced Individual Training
After Basic Training, the next step for Soldiers is Advanced Individual Training (AIT), where they study for their specific jobs.
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Ship to Shore
Marines disembark from a landing craft and prepare to move inland for an exercise.
Mastering the Basics
Army National Guard recruits crawl, climb, pull and jump their way through an obstacle course during Basic Combat Training (BCT).
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Graduation from Basic Combat Training
New Army Soldiers spend time with their families and march at graduation.
Training at the Rifle Range
Marine Corps recruits at Parris Island, S.C., practice marksmanship during Recruit Training.
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Testing a National Guard Decontamination Team
Members of the Army National Guard participate in an exercise that evaluates their ability to rapidly establish decontamination sites and evacuate casualties.
Graduating from Basic Training
At the graduation ceremony following Basic Training, new Army Soldiers and their parents share their feelings.
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Lead from the Front
A Marine officer prepares to lead his unit on a desert training mission.
Working with Local Governments
Members of the Army National Guard perform a sweep on a bus during a training exercise.
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Rappelling Recruits
A drill sergeant shows recruits how to attach a belay harness so they can begin rappelling.
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
Recruits sharpen their hand-to-hand combat skills during martial arts training.
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Following the Drill Sergeant's Lead
A drill sergeant stands before Army National Guard recruits.
Getting in Shape
Physical fitness is crucial in combat, so Basic Combat Training (BCT) involves a rigorous exercise program.
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Marine Corps Recruit Training
Recruits on a conditioning run shout a motivational cadence.
On the March
An Army National Guard recruit marches during Basic Combat Training (BCT). The final stages of Basic Training involve two tactical foot marches, one 10 kilometers and one 15 kilometers.
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Dressed to Sweat
Recruits pick up their uniforms at Basic Training. They also receive Army Combat Uniforms (ACUs) and PT (Physical Training) uniforms.
Marine Officer Training at The Basic School
Newly commissioned Marine officers turn their leadership potential into proven ability at The Basic School.
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Pugil Stick Battle
Army National Guard recruits fight with pugil sticks during Basic Combat Training (BCT).
Knee Deep
A recruit moves through water during a Basic Training obstacle course.
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Becoming a Marine Officer
Marine officers are committed to serving the Marine Corps and the United States.
On the Ropes
Recruits participate in a ropes course, which helps them develop agility that can be useful in a combat situation.
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Ready, Aim, Fire
An Army National Guard recruit learns how to fire his rifle and protect himself during a Basic Combat Training (BCT) exercise.
More Than a Playground Exercise
A recruit tackles the monkey bars in the middle of an obstacle course.
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Who Needs a Front Door?
An Army National Guard recruit trains for an urban mission during a Basic Combat Training (BCT) exercise.
From Civilian to Soldier
During Basic Training, drill sergeants instruct recruits in the Seven Core Army Values and teach the recruits how to be Soldiers.
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Machine Gun Repair
A recruit works on repairing a jammed weapon.
A Sense of Achievement
Recent graduates of Basic Training look back on their experiences.
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A look at daily life in Today's Military.
From the outside, it is hard to imagine what it's like to serve in the Military. There is plenty of news coverage, but it has been difficult to really get a sense of what day-to-day life in service is all about – until now. The videos and images on this site show the variety of experiences servicemembers have every day – from joining and training, to living and working all over the world. Choose a theme or Service from the menus below or choose between "Enlisted" and "Officer" to start exploring.
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