Reception is where all of your excitement and anticipation turns to frustration and regret.

Many recruits ask themselves immediately “what the hell am I doing here?” You’ll stand in long lines with little or no sleep waiting to receive a myriad of things that will make you look like a soldier. It’s the most boring place you’ll be in your early military career. You will see first hand why the military’s efficiency is best described as “hurry up and wait.” You will undergo everything from shots to dental exams and be issued everything from dog tags to duffel bag. This is the last stop before basic training.

 

 

Reception starts the same for all recruits who wish to become Army Warriors. This is where recruits are given everything they need to look like proper soldiers and where they will be given medical exams. Most recruits think that they start basic training immediately upon stepping off the bus but according to the Army that doesn’t happen for 4 days. Unofficially the Army is so backed up during the peak months that soldiers can often spend up to several weeks at the reception batallion literally doing nothing until a unit down range can come pick them up. This is honestly the most boring and emotionally frustrating time in your early military career. You don’t get to call home, or if you do it’s very short, and you don’t get to sleep for the first few nights. They have so much processing to do and so “little” time to do it that they literally keep you up for days. Civilians and drill sergeants alike will yell at you to keep you awake while you’re literally falling asleep standing up. 

 

Some Things That Will Happen at Reception Station:

* Haircut (head shave for men; women must either cut hair short or wear pinned up)

* Physical examination (including blood and urine tests)
* Inoculations
* Distribution of uniforms and personal gear, such as duffel bag and mouth guard
* Instruction in basic marching and standing, as well as upkeep of barracks

 

You'll have lots of downtime at Reception Station. Contrary to what most people will tell you, this is not Basic Training, merely a starting point on your journey to Basic Training. One of the first things that will happen is haircuts for male trainees. It's pretty funny to see the guy who was sitting next to you a few seconds ago, exit the barbers chair looking completely different, and wow, there are some oddly shaped heads out there! 

 

Soon after, there will be endless lines as you make your way through the maze that is the physical exams and inoculations. A word to the wise, there will be a urinalysis, so if you've never smoked pot, don't start now. You'll be tested for the presence of illegal narcotics and alcohol and anyone testing positive will face immediate discharge. 

 

 

You're Starting to Look Like A Soldier

Now comes that part you've probably been waiting for, uniform sizing and issue! There's nothing better than putting on your ACU's (Army Combat Uniform) for the first time! It may feel a little odd but you'll get used to it and by the end of Basic Training you'll probably need a couple of new sets. You should be be able to turn them in to your unit supply sergeant when you get home and get a few new sets. 

You’ll experience Army food for the first time and your stomach will hope its the last time. One of the key things you’re never told by the Drill Sergeants who run things at 30th AG, is that the privates who are telling you to do things and ordering you to parade rest are actually soldiers who quit BCT. Those soldiers are plucked from Echo company and tasked with making processing faster but at the same time they like to put you through the same hell they just went through.

One of the biggest things people seemed to be afraid of are the shots. You may have heard of these from your grandfather or father and the process is still the same. Its a relatively fast and easy process but if you don’t like needles this will be your worst day.

 

 

Here you’ll also learn what your living arrangements will be like at your basic training company. It’s the same way it’s been for decades. You will have roughly 50 men packed into a space and sleeping on bunk beds. You don't get to choose which bunk you want as they are typically assigned by roster number. Evens get bottom and odds get tops or its reversed. You’ll also shower here and there is no privacy. Prepare yourself now for showering with 10 guys at a time as no one likes the kid who is to intimidated to shower and stinks up the whole barracks. You will be made to purchase flip flops so that you don’t get athletes foot or you can bring a pair of solid color sandals if you wish.

 

 

At Reception you’ll find yourself hating it so much that you are dying to go down range to your basic training company. You’ll quickly forget how boring 30th AG was and how bad you wanted to leave once you get to your first company though. Reception is an important time in a soldiers life and it honestly makes or breaks the experience.