| Overview of the Army's Initial Entry Training (IET) Program | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The goal of the Army's IET program is to produce motivated, disciplined, team oriented soldiers who are physically and mentally prepared to meet the challenges of today's Army.
The program develops and delivers quality soldiers to the fighting force by employing a comprehensive 5 phased "soldierization" program. The program is actually a continuum that begins with a new recruit's arrival at the reception battalion and
continues for the remainder of a soldiers career. The first three phases of lET are associated with Basic Combat Training (BCT) and the last two phases are associated with Advance Individual Training (AlT). The concept of phasing and associated goals was established to provide intermediate objectives that give common direction and serve as milestones for trainees during lET. The training cadre informs trainees of the goals and standards for each phase of training. Trainees then know what direction to work towards and generally what effort must be applied to achieve the goals. Movement from each phase is viewed as a "gate" or "passage" for each soldier. The training cadre evaluates each soldier against the desired standards for each phase before advancing to the next phase. Phases IV and V of the soldierization process occur in AlT and are characterized by lessening of control and increased emphasis on the technical aspects of a trainees designated military occupational specialty (MOS). This lessening of control, expansion of privileges, and focus on MOS skills are all part of the evolutionary process marking the transformation of a civilian to someone who thinks, looks, and acts like a soldier. |
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| Phase I | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phase I of Basic Combat Training (BCT) is designated as the "Patriot" Phase. This phase encompasses weeks 1-3 of lET and is characterized by an environment of total control
where an active, involved leadership begins transforming civilians into soldiers. Training during this phase is focused on inculcating Army values, traditions and ethics as well as beginning the development of individual basic combat skills and physical
fitness training. The goals for soldiers in phase I include, but are not limited to: Pay strict attention to detail, conform to established, standards, master basic skills, maintain self and platoon areas, develop physical fitness consistent with time
in training, and introduction to Army Values, history, heritage, and tradition. |
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| Phase II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phase II is designated as the "Gunslinger" Phase. This phase encompasses weeks 4-6 of lET. As its name implies, this phase is centered on the development of basic combat
skills, with special emphasis on weapon proficiency. Trainees continue in an environment of almost total control and receive significant additional training on Army values, ethics, history, and traditions. The goals for soldiers in phase II include,
but are not limited to: Conform to established standards, display self-discipline, qualify with the Ml 6A2 rifle, develop physical fitness consistent with time in training, and reinforcement of Army Values, history heritage and traditions. |
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| Phase III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phase III is designated as the "Warrior" Phase. This is the last phase of BCT and encompasses weeks 7-9 of lET. This phase is designed to develop and foster a trainees understanding of the importance of teamwork. This phase culminates with the application of all skills learned in BCT during a 72 hour field training exercise. This exercise is designed to stress trainees physically and mentally and requires each soldier to demonstrate their proficiency of basic combat skills in a tactical field environment while operating as part of a team. The goals for soldiers in phase III include, but are not limited to: Conform to Army standards; pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) to BCT standard (50 points each event, 150 points total); pass the End of Course Test (EOCT); complete all BCT program of instruction (POI) requirements; demonstrate the ability to think, look, act like a soldier without detailed supervision; and demonstrate inculcation of Army Values, history, heritage, and traditions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phase IV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phase IV begins at the start of the tenth week and continues to the end of the thirteenth week. It is characterized by reduced supervision by drill sergeants, reinforcement training of common skills taught in BCT, and introduction to MOS tasks. Soldiers starting AlT will receive initial counseling upon arrival at the AlT unit which will be used to establish goals consistent with the soldiers MOS training requirements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phase V | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phase V begins at the start of the fourteenth week and continues until completion of lET. It is characterized by reinforcement training of common skills, training and evaluation of MOS skills, a leadership environment which simulates that in a field unit, and a culminating tactical field training exercise that integrates common skills and MOS tasks. This exercise is designed to reinforce the basic combat skills learned in BCT and how they apply to the soldier in the execution of their MOS duties in a tactical field environment. Graduation from AIT signifies successful completion of the first 5-Phases of the soldierization process. All lET graduates, by definition, have demonstrated the technical and tactical skills necessary to join the ranks in the field and be contributing member to the unit's mission accomplishment. It does not signify the end or completion of the soldierization process. Soldiers continue to develop professionally throughout their military careers, both in and out of the institutional training base. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Basic Combat Training | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||