Recruit Sustainment Program | BASIC TRAINING | ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
Before you ship to Basic Combat Training (BCT) you will attend the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP). RSP is a one-weekend-a-month drill where Cadre and Drill Sergeants will teach you everything to keep you on track mentally, physically, emotionally, and administratively before you ship to training. RSP is broken down into several phases - all with original training purposes and goals. These phases are described below.
Red Phase is your first two drills at RSP. During this training, you will learn the basics of being in the military including:
During this phase you will also be issued your RSP uniforms, order your name tapes, and be issued the "Blue Book", a guide that will give you a head start on all of the information that you will learn at Basic Training.
White Phase depends on the amount of time between your enlistment and when you ship to Basic Training. During White Phase you will have time to practice everything that you learned in Red Phase and more about what you need to succeed at BCT. This phase will include the following training:
During White Phase you will have the opportunity to compete for a promotion with the Stripes for Skills program. Stripes for Skills is a test conducted by your leadership that evaluates everything you've learned during Red Phase.
Blue Phase is your final drill before you ship to BCT. During this drill you will have your physical preparedness evaluated, cover all of your final details, and make sure that you're administratively ready to ship. Training during this phase will primarily consist of:
Green Phase is designed for Soldiers who enlist under the Split Training Option (STO). These Soldiers typically join the Montana Army National Guard during their junior year of high school and attend Basic Training during the summer between their junior and senior year, and AIT after they graduate high school. Green Phase Soldiers are usually put into leadership roles during RSP and are given the opportunity to stay current on skills like:
Gold Phase happens upon completion of BCT and AIT when you return to RSP for your final drills - known as your battle handoff drills - before you join your regular unit. During this drill you will meet with the representatives of your unit, get your normal drill schedule, and learn who your "unit sponsor" will be. Your final drills with RSP will consist of:
By and large the most frequently asked question we get is: what is basic training like? Below is a quick explanation of the differnt phases of Basic Combat Training, what you should expect, and how to prepare.
Typically 1-2 Weeks
Reception Battalion, otherwise known as Week Zero, is where you'll in-process into Basic Training. Over your time here you'll get your physical exam, shots, a haircut, uniform issue and have your first Physical Training (PT) test. During Reception, you'll get a preview of BCT. You'll be introduced to Army Values and the Warrior Ethos as well as beginning exercises in teamwork, self-discipline, responsibility, leadership development, self-reliance, competence, and confidence. The schedule of Reception Battalion is as follows:
Weeks 1-3
Begin your transition from a confused volunteer to a confident Soldier. Red Phase training focuses on reinforcing the principles of discipline, and teamwork. Training during this phase involves:
Weeks 4-5
White Phase is also known as the Rifleman or Gunfighter phase and focuses on developing your combat skills. Learn how to identify, track, target, and engage targets with a rifle. Training during this phase involves:
Weeks 6-9
Blue Phase is the final phase of BCT and is also known as the Warrior Phase. It will build your individual training, increase your leadership skills and self-discipline, and improve your understanding of teamwork. Training in Blue Phase consists of:
Week 10
The final week of BCT. After you finish the final training events you'll recieve a day with your family to catch up and tell them about your recent experiences. The next day, you'll graduate before moving onto your next phase of training. (Usually AIT).
Upon completion of Basic Combat Training, you'll go to Advanced Individual Training or AIT. This training provides you specific instruction based on the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) that you chose during the enlistment process. AIT can vary in length from 6 - 33 weeks depending on your specialty and focuses directly on the tasks that you will be performing upon returning to your unit at home.
Upon completion of AIT you will be a fully qualified Montana Army National Guard Soldier and will be able to return home and report to your RSP unit.
For a list of military occupational specialties and the training length, click here.
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