Surviving and Thriving in Military Training

Don’t Be Jack (Selfish)

The British Military is one the best in the world due to everyone working together and being strong together. There is no time for selfishness and people being seen to work on their own are quickly caught out. The ‘Buddy Buddy System’ in a nut shell means looking after each other. No one will ever get through training by themselves. You’ll be going through training with a troop, your troop is only as strong as its weakest member. 

Admin

Admin will be the bane of your life when starting military training. You will have so much to do it will take over all your time. Practicing iron, folding, boot polishing at home is a great start but you’ll still have new things to learn. Don’t get overwhelmed, at first it’ll take you a while to complete all the admin jobs the training team give you. Keep with it and remember to always maintain the gold standard. 

The training team will keep a keen eye on your standards and to maintain good standards you must invest time and effort. Things that would help would be to team up with someone, for example one person washes the clothes while the other cleans the boots. 

Dry Drilling

Dry drilling and the beauty of repetition. Dry drilling is practising without performing the live action, mainly referred to shooting. Practise all the mechanics of shooting without actually firing. This may seem daft as you might be thinking can I get better at shooting without actually shooting, but it is all about muscle memory and perfecting the best firing positions. 

Attitude

A good attitude is absolutely key to making it through training. It goes without saying not to have a bad attitude, speaking back, rolling your eyes at the training team or your fellow recruits. You may be older than your fellow recruits or even your training teaming but you need to remember where you are. If you think your in right, bite your tongue and respect the experience and the rank of anyone who is speaking to you. 

Speed

During training you’ll have tight timings, some to unrealistic to meet. You might only have 5 minuets to shave, shower and change for your next detail. All with 40 to 50 other recruits trying to make the same timing with only 6 showers to share. Ladies and gentlemen, speed will be your best friend. Always aim to be on time no matter how unrealistic the timing might be. 

Discipline

Discipline will be fundamental to you become successful through training. To keep up with your fitness, your admin and your research even though you might not feel like it is good discipline. Doing the right things even when the training team isn’t watching is paramount to good discipline and will become second nature. Discipline is the difference between average and great. 

Sleep

Be prepared arriving to military training to be sleep deprived. Some nights, especially when your out in the field you won’t get any sleep at all. On camp you will get more chance to sleep if you have all your admin squared away. This is why it’ll help so much if you use these resources to educate yourself as much as you can before turning up to recruit training. 

Naps can be very beneficial. If you have done all your admin, happy with where you are at with revision and dry drilling then don’t waste time on your phone and get recharged. It will improve focus, recovery and mindset dramatically if you find the right times to sleep. 

Professionalism

I want to emphasise the immense importance of professionalism as you embark on your journey in the Armed Forces. Professionalism is a fundamental attribute that will shape your conduct, performance, and reputation throughout your career. Here are some key points to consider:

• Exemplify Excellence: Strive for excellence in everything you do. Approach your training, tasks, and responsibilities with a commitment to achieving the  your dedication.

• Display Respect: Treat everyone with respect, regardless of rank or background. Respect your superiors, peers, subordinates, and civilians. Uphold the values of integrity, courtesy, and dignity in all your interactions.

• Maintain Discipline: Discipline is the backbone of professionalism. Adhere to military regulations, follow orders promptly and accurately, and maintain a high level of self-discipline. Displaying discipline demonstrates your commitment to the mission and your team.

• Uphold Ethical Standards: Maintain the highest ethical standards in your actions and decisions. Act with integrity, honesty, and accountability. Understand and adhere to the military’s code of conduct and your values.

• Strive for Continuous Improvement: Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Seek opportunities for professional development, pursue additional training, and expand your knowledge base. Stay updated on advancements in your field and apply new skills and knowledge to enhance your performance.

• Effective Communication: Develop strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Articulate your thoughts clearly, listen actively, and adapt your communication style to different situations. Effective communication fosters understanding, teamwork, and cooperation.Maintain Personal Appearance: Pay attention to your personal appearance and ensure that your uniform and grooming are always impeccable. A professional appearance not only demonstrates self-discipline but also reflects your pride in being in the Armed Forces. 
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• Adaptability and Flexibility: The military environment can be dynamic and unpredictable. Be adaptable and flexible in your approach to changing circumstances and challenges. Embrace new tasks, roles, and environments with a willingness to learn and adapt.

Stretching

Stretching daily throughout training will improve fitness and performance and reduce the chance of injuries. Use any down time to stretch and prepare your body. Look after your body and your body will look after you. At times you’ll want to get straight into bed but find 15 minuets to stretch off. Check out our mobility videos for stretch and mobility ideas. 

Diet

Fuel your body with the right food and it won’t let you down. Eat the wrong foods can make you feel tired and lose focus. Fuelling your body with carbs is vital for the energy you’ll need for a heavy days training. Water is obviously important for hydration. Throughout training you’ll have a water bottle with you at all times, so make sure its always full.